Supreme Court Rules Against Mandatory Minimums

Staff / Truthdig Dec 11, 2007 The Supreme Court decided on Monday that federal sentencing guidelines, a kind of back seat judging considered by many to be racist, should be treated as "advisory" and not at all mandatory. Justices Alito and Thomas, to no one's great surprise, were the only dissenters. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

With Friends Like These, Who Needs Judges?

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig Jul 6, 2007 Remember when President Bush promised to fire anyone in the White House involved in the leaking of Valerie Plame's identity? How far we've come. "Scooter" Libby's commutation is but the latest outrage perpetrated by an administration more concerned with protecting its secrets than the rule of law. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Pardon Fight!

Staff / Truthdig Jul 6, 2007 The White House isn't taking kindly to former President Bill Clinton's characterization of the Libby commutation as being "consistent with their philosophy; they believe that they should be able to do what they want to do " Oh, snap! Bush spokesman Tony Snow fired back with a reference to Clinton's own pardon record: "I don't know what Arkansan is for chutzpah, but this is a gigantic case of it". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Paris Learns Her Lesson

Mike Luckovich / Truthdig Jul 4, 2007 Dig deeper

Libby Goes Free

Staff / Truthdig Jul 3, 2007 Just hours after a federal appeals panel told I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to go directly to jail without passing go, President Bush stepped in to commute his sentence, thus setting the former Cheney aide and star of Plamegate free. Libby will still have to pay a $250,000 fine, so look for him on the lecture circuit. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Libby Gets 30 Months

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2007 Convicted perjurer I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby has been sentenced to 30 months in prison, a $250,000 fine and two years of probation, pending appeal and the inevitable pardon. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Sentencing for Dummies

Elizabeth de la Vega / Truthdig Jun 4, 2007 With his sentencing looming, it appears that I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby -- one of the highest White House officials ever convicted of a felony -- has learned precisely nothing from his trial and conviction on charges of false statements, obstruction of justice, and perjury. Note: originally published on TomDispatch. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Skilling Gets 24 Years

Staff / Truthdig Oct 24, 2006 Still maintaining his innocence, former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling was sentenced Monday to 24 years for his role in the collapse of the energy giant. Skilling's remaining assets will be liquidated, with about $45 million going to a victims' fund. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Abramoff Broke, Lawyers Claim

Staff / Truthdig Mar 29, 2006 The indicted lobbyist's attorneys assert he spent all the money "in his overly determined pursuit of helping people and charities." You'll excuse us while we gag up a hidden Cayman Islands account or two. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ex-Rep. Cunningham Gets Eight Years

Staff / Truthdig Mar 4, 2006 The bribery conviction nets him eight years--the longest term meted out to a congressman in decades. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Girl Will Hang for Killing Would-Be Rapist

Staff / Truthdig Feb 17, 2006 An 18-year-old Iranian has been sentenced to death for killing one of three men who were trying to rape her and her niece The Nation sheds light on this shocking travesty Before you work up a xenophobic rage, remember that right here in America we execute the underage and mentally retarded. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )