extortion

Michael Avenatti Charged With Embezzlement, Bank and Tax Fraud

BRIAN MELLEY / The Associated Press Apr 11, 2019 The attorney known for representing Stormy Daniels in lawsuits against the president is facing a 36-count federal indictment. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Blagojevich Gets 14 Years in Prison

Staff / Truthdig Dec 8, 2011 Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich became Illinois’ fourth governor in recent history to be sentenced to prison when he received a term of 14 years Wednesday after being found guilty of 18 instances of felony corruption, including an attempt to profit off the sale of his congressional seat. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The FBI’s Big Mob Bust

Staff / Truthdig Jan 22, 2011 What do "Meatball," "Marbles," "Lumpy" and "Jello" have in common? They're all nicknames for alleged members of the Mafia who were busted by the FBI in a mass crackdown this week that led to the arrest of more than 120 purported Mob operatives. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Kenyan Police Gun Down 21

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2007 Police killed 21 members of the banned Mungiki sect in Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday in retaliation for alleged attacks by the outlaw group in recent weeks. The Kenyan government recently instituted a shoot-to-kill policy for the sect, according to the BBC. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Landrieu Threatens White House to Get Levee Funding

Staff / Truthdig Apr 5, 2006 The Louisiana senator says she will hold Bush's executive-branch nominees hostage until he agrees to more funding for the Katrina-ravaged state. (This was the woman whom Anderson Cooper famously chewed out, saying she was out of touch in the wake of the hurricane. Guess she toughened up since then.) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Court Sides With Abortion Protesters

Staff / Truthdig Feb 28, 2006 The Supreme Court ruling had nothing to do with the underlying issue of abortion. Rather, the court ruled that federal extortion and racketeering laws cannot be used to ban demonstrations. (Alito, by the way, sat this one out.) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )