A federal judge facing sexual abuse charges struck a plea deal Monday allowing him to get off on much lighter terms. By pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and retiring from the federal bench, Judge Samuel Kent will not have to face a trial for five other charges relating to sexually inappropriate behavior with employees, although the plea deal did require the judge to admit that his advances were neither invited nor enjoyed. The obstruction of justice charge carries a 20 year maximum sentence. Kent would have been the first district judge to be tried on federal sexual harassment charges. (New York Times)
A few former associates of President Obama have raised eyebrows with their recent moves to lobbying firms. Matthew Nugen, the political director for Obama’s campaign, will take a job with Ogilvy Government Relations as a strategic adviser; Jeff Berman, the director of Obama’s national delegate operation, will join D.C. lobbying firm Bryan Cave; and Tom Daschle, Obama’s pick for HHS Secretary has returned to lobbying powerhouse Alston & Bird. Obama has announced rules banning lobbyists from serving in his administration — though these have been waived in several cases. (Politico)
A report published by the Pentagon yesterday urges U.S. authorities to speed the transfer of 17 Uighur detainees from the Guantanamo Bay facility. Admiral Patrick Walsh, who oversaw the review, said that other detainees are aware that the Uighurs are to be freed, and that it “breeds a climate… of friction.” The U.S. has been trying for years to transfer the men to a third country; if this fails they may be settled in the United States. (Agence France Presse)
Chicago’s top police official will not turn over lists of police officers with repeated complaints filed against them, defying orders from two federal judges. Superintendent Jody Weis said that turning over the lists would unfairly brand some officers as “repeaters,” despite incomplete reviews of some of the complaints against them, and would discourage officers from being decisive in life-or-death situations. The request for the list came from a lawsuit by a Chicago mother who claims officers abused her 11- and 13-year-old children while arresting them on a playground. (Associated Press)
An Ohio panel has approved a settlement for two former employees of the state’s Attorney General’s office. The two women claimed they were sexually harassed by fellow employees of former Attorney General Mark Dann, who eventually resigned because of the scandal. The women were awarded $247,500 each. (Associated Press)
