Published: Thursday, February 15, 2007
Indicted on fraud charges
Indicted on fraud charges
SAN DIEGO — As the CIA's executive director, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo had access to the spy agency's most sensitive secrets. On Wednesday, Foggo, now retired, pleaded innocent to federal charges that he used that information to direct classified supply deals to his best friend, San Diego defense contractor Brent Wilkes. According to a federal indictment, Wilkes reciprocated by paying for their lavish vacations and promised Foggo a job.
Both men surrendered Wednesday at FBI offices in San Diego after a 20-month investigation that has already sent former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham to prison. "Not guilty, your honor," each told U.S. District Judge Larry Burns in loud, clear voices. Foggo, who wore an American flag pin on his lapel, was released on $200,000 bail; Wilkes was released on $2 million bail.
The 11-count indictment returned Tuesday charges the lifelong friends, both 52, with fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison. In a separate indictment, Wilkes was charged with 25 counts of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions of more than $700,000.
Report on teen drug abuse
NEW YORK — Junior's been helping himself to Mother's little helper. That's the conclusion of a report released Wednesday by White House drug czar John Walters that found though U.S. teenagers' use of marijuana is declining, their abuse of prescription drugs is holding steady or in some cases increasing.
Walters said that many teenagers are obtaining drugs over the Internet, getting them free from friends or taking them from someone's medicine cabinet. According to an analysis of national surveys prepared by Walters' office, 2.1 million teenagers abused prescription drugs in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available.
Abortion probe dropped
TOPEKA, Kan. — An investigation into an abortion provider that was initiated by the state's previous attorney general has been dropped, though the official's successor has the option of refiling charges. The criminal charges filed late last year by then-Attorney General Phill Kline against Dr. George Tiller of Wichita won't be reinstated, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
A special prosecutor appointed by Kline, a Republican abortion opponent, had asked the court to renew charges against Tiller that were dismissed in December by a district judge. New Attorney General Paul Morrison — a Democrat who supports abortion rights — defeated Kline in the November election, fired the special prosecutor after taking office in January and asked the court to dismiss the request.
MySpace suit dismissed
AUSTIN, Texas — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the social networking Web site MySpace filed by the family of a 13-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old man she met online. The $30 million lawsuit accused the site of having no measures to protect children who use it. The lawsuit also named MySpace's parent company, News Corp., and the 19-year-old, whose criminal case has not yet gone to trial.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said MySpace is protected under the Communications Decency Act and cannot be expected to verify the age of every user because that "would of course stop MySpace's business in its tracks." The decency act cited by Sparks generally grants immunity to interactive computer services such as MySpace so that they are not liable for content posted by users. Without immunity, companies such as MySpace "would be crippled by lawsuits arising out of third-party communications," Sparks wrote.
Franken to run for Senate
MINNEAPOLIS — Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously as a political figure. Franken said he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and immediately acknowledged the doubts voters may have about electing a former "Saturday Night Live" performer. Coleman is viewed as vulnerable because of a Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and President Bush's unpopularity.
Grandma seeks custody
NASSAU, Bahamas — Anna Nicole Smith's mother wants to be named guardian of the former Playboy model's 5-month-old daughter, fearing Smith's partner will leave with the infant as he faces a three-way paternity dispute, her lawyers said Wednesday. Lawyers for Vergie Arthur said they will go before a judge in the Bahamas on Feb. 22 to seek custody of the infant, whose paternity has been challenged, from Smith's partner, Howard K. Stern.
Associated Press
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Indicted on fraud charges
SAN DIEGO — As the CIA's executive director, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo had access to the spy agency's most sensitive secrets. On Wednesday, Foggo, now retired, pleaded innocent to federal charges that he used that information to direct classified supply deals to his best friend, San Diego defense contractor Brent Wilkes. According to a federal indictment, Wilkes reciprocated by paying for their lavish vacations and promised Foggo a job.
Both men surrendered Wednesday at FBI offices in San Diego after a 20-month investigation that has already sent former U.S. Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham to prison. "Not guilty, your honor," each told U.S. District Judge Larry Burns in loud, clear voices. Foggo, who wore an American flag pin on his lapel, was released on $200,000 bail; Wilkes was released on $2 million bail.
The 11-count indictment returned Tuesday charges the lifelong friends, both 52, with fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, crimes punishable by up to 20 years in prison. In a separate indictment, Wilkes was charged with 25 counts of conspiracy, bribery, money laundering and unlawful monetary transactions of more than $700,000.
Report on teen drug abuse
NEW YORK — Junior's been helping himself to Mother's little helper. That's the conclusion of a report released Wednesday by White House drug czar John Walters that found though U.S. teenagers' use of marijuana is declining, their abuse of prescription drugs is holding steady or in some cases increasing.
Walters said that many teenagers are obtaining drugs over the Internet, getting them free from friends or taking them from someone's medicine cabinet. According to an analysis of national surveys prepared by Walters' office, 2.1 million teenagers abused prescription drugs in 2005, the most recent year for which figures are available.
Abortion probe dropped
TOPEKA, Kan. — An investigation into an abortion provider that was initiated by the state's previous attorney general has been dropped, though the official's successor has the option of refiling charges. The criminal charges filed late last year by then-Attorney General Phill Kline against Dr. George Tiller of Wichita won't be reinstated, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.
A special prosecutor appointed by Kline, a Republican abortion opponent, had asked the court to renew charges against Tiller that were dismissed in December by a district judge. New Attorney General Paul Morrison — a Democrat who supports abortion rights — defeated Kline in the November election, fired the special prosecutor after taking office in January and asked the court to dismiss the request.
MySpace suit dismissed
AUSTIN, Texas — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the social networking Web site MySpace filed by the family of a 13-year-old girl who says she was sexually assaulted by a 19-year-old man she met online. The $30 million lawsuit accused the site of having no measures to protect children who use it. The lawsuit also named MySpace's parent company, News Corp., and the 19-year-old, whose criminal case has not yet gone to trial.
In a ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks said MySpace is protected under the Communications Decency Act and cannot be expected to verify the age of every user because that "would of course stop MySpace's business in its tracks." The decency act cited by Sparks generally grants immunity to interactive computer services such as MySpace so that they are not liable for content posted by users. Without immunity, companies such as MySpace "would be crippled by lawsuits arising out of third-party communications," Sparks wrote.
Franken to run for Senate
MINNEAPOLIS — Al Franken announced Wednesday that he will run for the Senate in 2008, making it clear that the comedian and author of "Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot" wants to be taken seriously as a political figure. Franken said he would seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and immediately acknowledged the doubts voters may have about electing a former "Saturday Night Live" performer. Coleman is viewed as vulnerable because of a Democratic resurgence in Minnesota and President Bush's unpopularity.
Grandma seeks custody
NASSAU, Bahamas — Anna Nicole Smith's mother wants to be named guardian of the former Playboy model's 5-month-old daughter, fearing Smith's partner will leave with the infant as he faces a three-way paternity dispute, her lawyers said Wednesday. Lawyers for Vergie Arthur said they will go before a judge in the Bahamas on Feb. 22 to seek custody of the infant, whose paternity has been challenged, from Smith's partner, Howard K. Stern.
Associated Press
Thursday, February 15, 2007
As the CIA's executive director, Kyle "Dusty" Foggo had access to the spy agency's most sensitive secrets. On Wednesday,...
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