Justice
After 11 disciplinary cases and his retirement, lawyer’s license is suspended
After 11 prior disciplinary cases, a criminal conviction for fraud and his retirement from practicing law, a western Iowa attorney’s law license has been suspended by the Iowa Supreme Court. The Grievance Commission of the Iowa Supreme Court had recommended that the court revoke the Iowa law license of Sioux City lawyer Brien P. O’Brien […]
Most HBCU bomb threats may be coming from one juvenile, FBI official tells Congress
WASHINGTON — A top FBI official told members of a U.S. House panel on Thursday that the agency believes a single juvenile is behind most of the bomb threats made to more than 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Ryan Young, executive assistant director of the Intelligence Branch at the FBI, said the bomb threats […]
Republicans in Congress file suit to end mask mandate for air travel
Seventeen Republican members of Congress have sued the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, seeking an end to the federal rule requiring passengers on commercial flights and in airports to wear masks. The mandate illegally restricts the lawmakers’ freedom and is not backed by legal authority, they said in the suit filed Monday. They asked the […]
Reynolds’ decision on bill could lead to dismissal of licensing lawsuit
A bill that awaits the signature of Gov. Kim Reynolds could result in the dismissal of a lawsuit over the constitutionality of Iowa’s licensing laws. In December, a Texas company filed a civil rights lawsuit against the state of Iowa for requiring that hair-threading professionals undergo 600 hours of training to become licensed. Arsah Enterprise Inc., […]
Court strikes down Iowa’s second ‘ag-gag’ law as unconstitutional
Iowa’s second attempt to criminalize unauthorized surveillance inside agricultural facilities has been ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. “Iowa seeks to protect private property rights by singling out for punishment, at least in part, trespassers based on their disfavored viewpoint of agriculture,” U.S. District Judge Stephanie Rose said in her ruling Monday, adding that it’s […]
Iowa gentleman’s club faces class-action lawsuit over dancers’ wages
An exotic dancer has filed a class-action lawsuit against the West Des Moines club where she allegedly worked without salary and had to pay the owner for the right to work for tips. Cierra Turner is suing the company Pretty Women Inc., which owns the gentleman’s club Beach Girls; J.P. Parking, which is alleged to […]
In Houston, people in jail can still go to the polls
HOUSTON — Damien Lewis had been detained in the Harris County Jail for a week. Other than the one hour a day he was allowed to walk around indoors and trips to court, he had been under quarantine and hadn’t left his cell. But on the day of the Texas primary earlier this month, a […]
Iowa deputies receive training from lawyer who likens Capitol police to Nazis
The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office underwent training Friday with a lawyer who has compared the U.S. Capitol police to Nazi S.S. troops while promoting the “constitutional sheriff” movement. Sheriff Chad Sheehan’s decision to invite KrisAnne Hall, a constitutional attorney from Florida, to train his deputies and speak to the public has provoked controversy in the […]
Fairfield teens accused of murdering their teacher say court hearing should be closed
The Iowa Freedom of Information Council has joined state prosecutors in arguing that court proceedings involving two teenagers accused of killing their high school Spanish teacher should be open to the press and public. Last November, the body of Fairfield school teacher Nohema Graber was found in the city’s Chautauqua Park. Within days, prosecutors charged […]
With subpoena for judicial records blocked, legislators consider mandatory disclosure
After being told that under Iowa law, state legislators can’t subpoena information from a judicial nominating panel, the Iowa House is now trying to rewrite the law on access. House File 2485, which passed the House this week, would potentially give state lawmakers new insight into the process used to investigate and discipline Iowa judges. […]
Bank executive sentenced to nine months, ordered to pay $4.5 million in restitution
An Iowa banking executive accused of attempting to defraud the Small Business Administration has been sentenced to nine months in prison and ordered to pay $4.5 million in restitution. Larry Charles Henson of Davenport is the former president and chairman of the now-shuttered Valley Bank in Moline, Illinois. He was accused of conspiring with others […]
Barbershop quartet, clipped from Broadway’s ‘Music Man’ revival, files suit
A barbershop quartet originally cast in the current Broadway revival of Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man” is suing the show’s producers after being cut from the production. Members of the quartet known as Category 4 are suing Iowa Stubborn LLC, the production company behind the show, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of […]