Staff, Author at Legal Reader

House Speaker Boehner Abruptly Announces Resignation

September 25, 2015

The 65 year-old had been serving in the House, representing Ohio’s 8th District since 1991, yet his seniority and leadership roles have not been able to quell dissent from conservatives in the party, most recently revolving around funding for Planned Parenthood potentially leading to a shutdown. Over 30 members of the House threatened a no-confidence vote over the Planned Parenthood issue; with such a vote meaning that Boehner would have to rely on Democratic votes to remain as Speaker next term.

Indiana’s Supreme Court Hears Arguments over 2011 State Fair Stage Collapse

September 24, 2015

The case may or may not end at the state’s Supreme Court, depending on whether or not the appeal is considered. If the Court declines the appeal, the case will head back to a jury trial in Marion County, however MacGill acknowledged that even a favorable ruling will still make for difficulties, saying that “we have a lot of work to do, and we have to prove a case.” If the Court accepts the case, and depending on the ruling, the state could be held liable for an undisclosed amount of damages.

George Zimmer is now a Marijuana Activist

September 24, 2015

Zimmer took time to lend support to the marijuana legalization movement as the keynote speaker in Los Angeles at the Cannabis World Congress and Business Expo on Friday. In his speech, Zimmer called the placement of marijuana on the Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, equating it to drugs like heroin and ecstasy, “the biggest con that has been perpetrated on this country in the last century.”

FDA Panel to Review Essure Risks

September 23, 2015

Although no formal decisions will be made at Thursday’s meeting, the experts will consider whether or not to require a warning label on the product and if more clinical studies are needed to ensure the safety of the device.

Democrats Push Legislation for EPA-Mine Spill Compensation

September 23, 2015

According to Senator Udall, the Gold King Mine Spill Recovery Act does three things. It “requires the EPA to compensate New Mexico communities that were impacted. It requires the EPA to keep monitoring the water quality in the Animas and San Juan rivers, and it would help prevent future disasters.”

Oakland Sues Wells Fargo for Lending Discrimination

September 23, 2015

The city is blaming Wells Fargo for the loss of millions of dollars of potential tax revenue, leading to budgetary limits for services like parks, policing, and libraries. City attorney Barbara Parker said in a statement after the filing, “Wells Fargo’s discriminatory conduct devastated individuals and communities, increasing poverty and wiping out or drastically reducing wealth for minority communities while bankers prospered.”

Peanut Exec gets Record 28 Year Sentence for Deadly Food Poisoning Outbreak

September 22, 2015

Parnell was convicted on multiple charges including knowingly shipping peanut products that were tainted with salmonella to merchants throughout the country. An ensuing outbreak between 2008 and 2009 in 46 states contributed to over 700 illnesses and at least nine deaths. Judge Sands also sentenced Parnell’s brother, 56 year-old Michael Parnell, a peanut broker, to 20 years and the plant’s quality assurance manager Mary Wilkerson to five years. Stewart Parnell’s 28 year sentence is the longest ever given for a food poisoning-related offense.

Volkswagen Emissions Fallout Begins: and it’s Really, Really Bad

September 22, 2015

Tangible damage has already begun on a grand scale for the company since the announcement, as its stock has plunged over 35 percent by midday trading on Tuesday, including closing down 18 percent on Monday, already dropping the company’s value by nearly $17 billion even before Tuesday’s announcement. The scandal and costs associated with EPA-ordered recall will likely cost the company at least that much factoring in federal penalties from the U.S. as well as in other nations. In addition, the amount of civil liability and class-action lawsuits could also range in the billions.

Study Finds Nearly 96 percent of Deceased NFL Players had CTE

September 21, 2015

In total, the researchers from the nation’s largest brain bank examined 165 brains of people who played football professionally, semi-professionally, or in college or high school while living. The brain bank is run as a joint venture between the VA and the university. They found 131 of the brains showed some evidence of CTE, including the 87 NFL pros.

FBI Launches Investigation into 1MDB Malaysia State Development Fund

September 21, 2015

Najib and Malaysian authorities have undergone exhaustive means to curtail the domestic investigation into allegations that the prime minister funneled money from the fund into his personal account through Swiss banks and the Middle East. The regime gutted the committee appointed to investigate the allegations, shut down a news source, replaced the deputy prime minister and attorney general, and arrested former members of Najib’s political party, including Khairuddin Abu Hassan as he was preparing to travel to the U.S. to urge investigators to help with the probe.

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