April 10, 2016

I READ THE NEWS TODAY








Prosecutors: Hastert Molested Four Boys



Former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Dennis Hastert is surrounded by officers as he leaves federal court after pleading not guilty to federal charges of trying to hide large cash transactions and lying to the FBI in Chicago, Illinois, United States, June 9, 2015. According to an indictment, Hastert, 73, was trying to evade detection of $3.5 million in payments he had promised to make to someone from his hometown of Yorkville, Illinois, to conceal past misconduct against the person.
Reuters/Jim Young
According to federal prosecutors, former House Speaker Dennis Hastert sexually abused at least four boys while working as a high school wrestling coach decades ago. Hastert, the longest-running Republican Speaker of the House, will be sentenced in a financial violation case in late April. The prosecutor's allegations came to light when they found that Hastert had reportedly paid one of his accusers $3.5 million in hush money.

Read it at CNN

-------

Suspect Confesses to Belgium Attack



Mohamed Abrini, who was arrested in connection with last month’s attack at the Brussels Airport has confessed to being the third suspect in surveillance footage, prosecutors announced Saturday. He admitted Saturday he was the “man in the hat” and told the authorities he threw out his suicide vest and sold his hat after the bombings.
Read it at NBC News

WI Court Tosses Right-to-Work Law


The “right-to-work” law signed into action last year by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is unconstitutional, a Wisconsin judge ruled on Friday. Dane County Circuit Court Judge William Faust tossed the legislation, which allowed employees to opt out of union fees, even if a union represented the majority of their workplace. Labor advocates say the rule allows workers to benefit from union negotiations, without supporting the union itself. Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel said the state would appeal the ruling.
Read it at StarTribune

Federal Probe Investigates NYC Mayor

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s fundraising activities are the focus of a new federal investigation, CBS News reports. The FBI corruption probe began with an investigation of high-ranking New York City Police Department officers, and is now focusing on de Blasio’s ties with campaign contributers.



Two of the mayor’s key donors are already under investigation for allegedly giving police expensive gifts and vacations in exchange for security. These donors’ ties with de Blasio are now under scrutiny, as federal investigators work to determine whether they made contributions in exchange for favors from the administration.