| Bid Rig sets sights on "Mr. Monmouth"
With Tony Palughi on board in late January 2005, the FBI now has another target in its crosshairs: Harry Larrison Jr. Larrison, who has just retired after a 40-year career as a Monmouth County freeholder, remains a powerful and influential figure in the county. "Harry is the guy," FBI Special Agent Bill Waldie recalls. "You want to open a business in Monmouth County and you're getting red-taped? Talk to Harry. Next day, it's done." And Palughi, who is still employed by the county, remains Larrison's personal assistant, chauffering the ailing, 78-year-old in Palughi's county car. But now Palughi is also working for the FBI. He tells FBI agents what they always suspected: Larrison has taken illegal payoffs in exchange for his votes and influence.
Judge: Fen-Phen Lawyers Owe $62M
Three attorneys accused of bilking their clients in a diet drug settlement must repay at least $62.1 million in settlement funds and interest, a judge ruled Friday. Special Judge William Wehr ordered William J. Gallion, 56, Shirley A. Cunningham Jr., 52, and Melbourne Mills Jr., 76, to repay $42 million taken from the settlement and $20.1 million in interest. Wehr said the interest was 8 percent over the six years the attorneys had the funds. .
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Although he is the star defendant in the case seen as a test of the Bush administration avowed war against terrorism, the evidence has focused largely on two co-defendants during 53 days of trial. Neither Padilla nor the other defendants, Adham Hassoun and Kifah Jayyousi, testified in the case, which is expected to go to the jury next week. Hassoun’s lawyers rested their case last week and Jayyousi’s did so on Tuesday. Padilla’s lawyers were given a final chance to call witnesses but declined. "Your honour, on behalf of Mr. Padilla, we rest," defence attorney Michael Caruso told the judge. Prosecutors also rested their case on Tuesday and closing arguments were expected next week, after the judge and lawyers determine what instructions jurors will receive.
Estranged couple die
KENTWOOD - The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Department has classified the deaths of a Kentwood man and woman as a murder-suicide.Sidney Ricks Jr., 38, and Wendy L. Ricks, 33, were married and had recently separated, family members said.Sheriff's deputies were sent to a residence at 75556 Gregot Road at 9:19 p.m. Sunday, sheriff's spokesperson Blair Foster said. Deputy Glen Magee, Kentwood Fire Chief Tommy Simmons and Osyka, Miss., Police Chief Roger Sanders got there and found the two inside.Acadian Ambulance was called, but paramedics said there were no signs of life.An investigation of the scene showed that Sidney Ricks had shot Wendy Ricks and then himself, using a .30-06 bolt action rifle, Foster said. .
Soldier to defend bin Laden's driver
The Pentagon has assigned a former New Jersey prosecutor who served in Iraq during the U.S. invasion to defend Osama bin Laden's driver, the man who took his case to the Supreme Court, and won. Army Maj. Thomas Roughneen, 38, said he met the driver, Salim Hamdan, 36, of Yemen for more than 35 hours at Guantánamo Bay, the remote Navy base in Cuba -- alongside the man he replaces, now retired Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Swift. Right away, Roughneen said, he told his client about his 2003 service in U.S.-occupied Iraq -- as a U.S. Army officer engaged in nation-building. ''I didn't think he should learn from anyone else,'' he said. ``There's obviously a lot to overcome for a guy like me, who has been to Iraq, to convince Salim that I'm worth trusting.'' In taking the assignment, Roughneen joins a fraternity of military and civilian lawyers who have argued that President Bush's post-9/11 war court -- called military commissions -- deny a captive fundamental U.S.
Raptors facing Garnett, Celtics in Italy
The Toronto Raptors will get a glimpse of new Boston Celtic Kevin Garnett on Oct. 6 when the NBA teams meet in a pre-season game in Italy. Raptors' Garbajosa still recovering The Toronto Raptors have not cleared injured star Jorge Garbajosa to play for Spain in next month's European basketball championship. Heat coach Riley commited to 3 more seasons Miami Heat coach Pat Riley says he isn't ready for another retirement. Penny Hardaway to try comeback with Heat The Miami Heat signed free agent Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway on Thursday. Celtics approach retired star Reggie Miller Reggie Miller, an almost certain Hall of Famer, has been approached about coming out of retirement to help the revamped Boston Celtics. .
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