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Insight: FBI relies on secret U.S. surveillance law, records show

By John Shiffman, Kristina Cooke and Mark Hosenball WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI has used secret evidence obtained under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to prosecute at least 27 accused terrorists since 2007, according to a Reuters review of public records. While the recent spotlight has been on the use of the FISA law by the U.S. National Security Agency for surveillance programs following disclosures by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, the FBI also makes extensive use of the law for domestic counterterrorism.

Supreme Court: 'pay-for-delay' deals between drug companies can sometimes be illegal

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court ruled Monday that deals between pharmaceutical corporations and their generic drug competitors, which government officials say keep cheaper forms of medicine off the market, can be sometimes be illegal and therefore challenged in court. The justices voted 5-3 to allow the government to inspect and challenge what it calls "pay-for-delay" deals or "reverse payment settlements."

Lawyer Cliff Sloan faces tough assignment: Closing Guantanamo

By Steve Holland and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cliff Sloan has represented Jon Bon Jovi's band in legal matters and argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, he has perhaps his toughest assignment: Helping to close the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Astor's son, 89, going to New York jail after losing mercy plea

By Francesca Trianni NEW YORK (Reuters) - The 89-year-old son of late New York socialite Brooke Astor on Monday lost a final plea that because of old age and illness he should avoid prison time for his conviction on charges he cheated his ailing mother before her death.

Class-action lawsuit filed in NYC against Warner Music, Atlantic over unpaid internships

NEW YORK, N.Y. - A former intern has filed a class-action lawsuit against Warner Music Group and Atlantic Records over his unpaid internship. The suit was filed Monday in state Supreme Court in Manhattan. Plaintiff Justin Henry says he was never paid for the office work he performed from October 2007 through May 2008 but should have been under state labour law. The suit alleges there was no academic or vocational training as part of the internship, and that employees would have needed to be hired to do the work if Henry wasn't doing it for free.

Virginia governor billed taxpayers for sunscreen, dog vitamins -report

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Virginia Governor and possible Republican presidential candidate Bob McDonnell used taxpayer money to pay for sunscreen and dog vitamins, the Washington Post reported on Monday, adding to other improper spending the paper says the FBI is investigating. McDonnell and his wife also used state employees to run personal errands for their adult children and billed the state for deodorant, shoe repairs and a digestive system "detox cleanse," the newspaper said, citing spending records it obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.

Nova Scotia politician pleads guilty to fraud in constituency expense scandal

HALIFAX - An Independent politician in the Nova Scotia legislature has pleaded guilty to fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust for his role in the province's spending scandal. Trevor Zinck entered the pleas on the fifth day of his trial at Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax. A charge of theft over $5,000 was dropped. Testimony was expected to continue Monday, but Zinck's lawyer requested an adjournment shortly after the case resumed in court, saying he needed to discuss options with his client.

Supremes strike down Arizona law requiring proof of citizenhip for voting

Washington, Jun 17 (EFE).- The U.S. Supreme Court overturned on Monday an Arizona law that obliges voters to prove their citizenship when registering to vote, ruling that this goes beyond what is demanded on federal registration forms. The justices voted 7-2 to strike down the measure. Proposition 200, approved by Arizona voters in 2004, requires that prospective voters provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote, something that, according to the plaintiffs - The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. - could discourage minorities from voting.

Indiana woman on death row as teen begins life out of prison

By Susan Guyett INDIANAPOLIS (Reuters) - An Indiana woman who was sentenced to death at age 16 for killing an elderly Bible study teacher began a new life out of prison on Monday after nearly three decades behind bars, prison authorities said. Paula Cooper was the youngest person on death row in the United States when she was sentenced in 1986 for the murder committed when she was 15. Her sentence was later commuted to 60 years in prison.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer signs Medicaid expansion

By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona's Republican Governor Jan Brewer signed a law on Monday to expand Medicaid, embracing a key part of Democratic President Barack Obama's healthcare plan in a hard-won policy victory over conservatives in her own party. Brewer, a feisty opponent of the Obama administration over immigration enforcement, signed a bill that will make about 300,000 additional poor and disabled residents eligible for the Medicaid program, a move opposed by some conservative Republican lawmakers.
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