WCTB

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump commuted the 14-year sentence of disgraced former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich was convicted of political corruption, including seeking to sell an appointment to Barack Obama’s old Senate seat and trying to shake down a children’s hospital.  But Trump said he had been subjected to a “ridiculous sentence” that didn’t fit his crimes. The commutation will allow Blagojevich’s release from prison four years before he would have been eligible for parole. It will also clear his convictions.

The President also pardoned former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerik, who served just over three years for tax fraud and lying to the White House while being interviewed to be Homeland Security secretary.  Additionally, Trump pardoned financier Michael Milken, who pleaded guilty for violating U.S. securities laws and served two years in prison in the early 1990s, as well as Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal. 

Also pardoned were Ariel Friedler, a technology entrepreneur, who pleaded guilty to accessing a computer without authorization; Paul Pogue a construction company owner who underpaid his taxes; David Safavian, who was convicted of obstructing an investigation into a trip he took while he was a senior government official; and Angela Stanton, an author who served a six-month home sentence for her role in a stolen vehicle ring.

Trump Pardons Michael Milken, Commutes Sentence of Rod Blagojevich

Via www.wsj.com

President Trump commuted the prison sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and…

02/18/2020 2:35 PM

 

Editorial credit: Ed Rahe / Shutterstock.com

The Boy Scouts of America has filed for bankruptcy, this after hundreds of lawsuits related to sexual abuse allegations have been filed. The organization listed liabilities as being between $100 million and $500 million, with an estimated $50,000 or less in assets. Attorney Paul Mones, who represents “hundreds””of sexual abuse victims in multiple lawsuits, called this week’s bankruptcy filing a “tragedy,” saying, “these young boys took an oath. They pledged to be obedient, pledged to support the Scouts and pledged to be honorable. Many of them are extremely angry that that’s not what happened to them and the Boy Scouts of America did not step up in the way they should have.”

Jim Turley, National Chair of the Boy Scouts of America, shared an open letter (which can be viewed in its entirety here) to victims this week in which he claimed to be “outraged” about those who “took advantage of our programs to commit these heinous acts.”

The bankruptcy decision marks a strategy not unlike the one used in sexual abuse lawsuits in multiple Catholic dioceses and USA Gymnastics. This year also notably marks the end of Boy Scouts sponsorship from the Mormon church.

Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy due to sex abuse lawsuits

Via www.cbsnews.com

02/18/2020 1:36 AM

 

Editorial credit: Amy Kerkemeyer / Shutterstock.com

On Monday, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said he plans to spend $10 billion of his own fortune to help fight climate change. Bezos, the world’s richest man, said in an Instagram post that he’ll start giving grants this summer to scientists, activists and nonprofits. Bezos says he will call his new initiative the Bezos Earth Fund.

An Amazon spokesman confirmed that Bezos will be using his own money for the fund. Bezos, who founded Amazon 25 years ago, has a stake in the company that is worth more than $100 billion.

Amazon, the company Bezos runs, has an enormous carbon foodprint. Amazon officials said last year the company would work to have 100% of its energy use come from solar panels and other renewable energy by 2030.

Jeff Bezos pledging $10 billion of his fortune to fight climate change

Via www.cbsnews.com

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos said Monday that he plans to spend $10 billion of his own fortune to…

02/17/2020 5:22 PM

 

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s push to ban the sale of assault weapons failed on Monday. Senators voted to shelve the bill for the year and ask the state crime commission to study the issue, an outcome that drew cheers from a committee room packed with gun advocates. Four moderate Democrats joined Republicans in Monday’s committee vote, rejecting legislation that would have prohibited the sale of certain semiautomatic firearms, including popular AR-15 style rifles, and banned the possession of magazines that hold more than 12 rounds.

Earlier proposals to ban possession of AR-15-style rifles or to require owners to register them with state police have been scrapped. Moderate Democrats in the state Senate have said for weeks they are uncomfortable passing legislation that would affect so many current gun owners.

An estimated 8 million AR-style guns have been sold since they were introduced to the public in the 1960s. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have already advanced several other gun-control measures and should finalize passage in the coming days. 

Virginia lawmakers reject assault weapon ban

Via abcnews.go.com

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s push to ban the sale of assault weapons has failed after members…

02/17/2020 4:53 PM

 

Editorial credit: Eli Wilson / Shutterstock.com