courthousenews--2020-06-10--Video Evidence Disproves Police Narratives Time and Again

President Trump joined the Buffalo , N.Y. Police Department in misrepresenting a police attack on a 75-year-old protester , who was hospitalized .
( AP ) — Minneapolis police initially told the public that George Floyd died after a “ medical incident during a police interaction.
” The Buffalo , New York , department said a protester “ tripped and fell.
” Philadelphia police said a college student who suffered a serious head wound had assaulted an officer .
All three claims were quickly disproved by videos seen widely on the internet and television , fueling mistrust and embarrassing agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions in a far more favorable light .
Police departments deny lying but acknowledge sometimes making mistakes when releasing information in fast-moving , complicated situations .
The videos , they say , do not always capture officers ’ perspectives .
Defense attorneys say the inaccurate statements are encouraged by a culture of silence in which officers protect misbehaving colleagues , a court system that rarely holds officers accountable and a public that has given police the benefit of the doubt .
Floyd died as a white officer put his knee on his neck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd stopped moving .
Cellphone video showed him pleading for air as other officers stood by and bystanders urged the police to help him .
The department ’ s initial news release claimed that Floyd “ appeared to be suffering medical distress ” after he resisted arrest and was handcuffed .
The death set off nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice .
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Tuesday that he missed initial notifications about Floyd and did not visit the scene , as he usually does after major events .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on body camera video but that he would not be able to review it for several hours .
He said he released the initial description after being briefed by supervisors , whom he learned later were not at the scene either .
The department realized the statement was inaccurate hours later when the bystander video surfaced , and immediately requested an FBI investigation , he said .
By then , the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had taken over the investigation of Floyd ’ s death , and Elder said he was unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I will never lie to cover up the actions of somebody else , ” Elder said .
In Buffalo , authorities suspended and charged two officers who were seen last week shoving 75-year-old peace activist Martin Gugino , who fell backward and struck his head on the sidewalk and immediately bled from an ear .
The charges came only after video captured by a television crew was broadcast .
The shove was not mentioned in an initial statement saying that Gugino fell .
Police later apologized and said they were “ working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very fast-moving and fluid situation.
” President Trump then tweeted a misleading and provocative version of the incident .
Here is that tweet in full : “ Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur .
75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment .
@ OANN I watched , he fell harder than was pushed .
Was aiming scanner .
Could be a set up ?
” There is no indication that Gugino was part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was trying to jam police equipment .
On Friday , a prosecutor in Philadelphia charged an officer who was seen on video striking a Temple University student in the head and neck with a metal baton .
The 21-year-old protester needed several staples and stitches to close his wound .
He was in custody for almost 40 hours on allegations that he assaulted and injured an officer , according to his attorney .
The student was released after prosecutors saw the video and decided to pursue the officer who hit him instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ examples .
The same phenomenon has rocked other law enforcement agencies , particularly when minorities have been killed in police interactions that are captured by cellphones , surveillance systems or officers ’ cameras .
In Chicago , authorities initially said the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was justified because the teen was approaching officers with a knife .
But more than a year later , video was released showing that McDonald was veering away when he was shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke , who was later convicted of second-degree murder .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in 2017 , his department said Edwards was in a vehicle with other teenagers that backed up toward police “ in an aggressive manner.
” The chief later acknowledged that police video showed the vehicle was moving away from , not toward , officers .
The officer who fired into the car was convicted in Edwards ’ death .
Civil rights attorney Michael Avery , board president of the National Police Accountability Project , said false claims by police have long been known to inner-city communities .
“ But what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is getting out into the larger world , into the media , into white communities , suburban communities , and people outside the affected communities are becoming more aware of what ’ s going on , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a completely different situation.
” When he started practicing law 50 years ago , Avery said , claims of misconduct were hard to prove because it was often one person ’ s word against “ an officer and the officer ’ s buddies.
” The habit of police giving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York that it has long been nicknamed “ testilying.
” Officers are rarely held accountable because they enjoy broad legal protections , and prosecutors almost never charge them with perjury , Avery said .
False public statements made by police departments and their leaders are more of a “ political issue ” than a legal one , he said .
The availability of video and a fast-moving news cycle accelerated by social media have put extra pressure on police department public information officers .
Having to retract a statement is “ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community to lose trust , said Leonard Sipes Jr. , a retired law enforcement and government spokesman who has written and taught extensively about media relations .
Police representatives should try to watch any video before releasing information to the public and take steps to verify the statements of officers and administrators , he said .
“ If they aren ’ t sure as to what transpired , simply say it ’ s under investigation and leave it alone , ” he said .
“ It makes no sense to be putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later having to retract it .
”

Minneapolis police initially told the public that George Floyd died after a "medical incident during a police interaction." The Buffalo, New York, department said a protester "tripped and fell." Philadelphia police said a college student who suffered a serious head wound had assaulted an officer.
(AP) — Minneapolis police initially told the public that George Floyd died after a "medical incident during a police interaction." The Buffalo, New York, department said a protester "tripped and fell." Philadelphia police said a college student who suffered a serious head wound had assaulted an officer.
All three claims were quickly disproved by videos seen widely on the internet and television, fueling mistrust and embarrassing agencies that made misleading statements that painted their actions in a far more favorable light.
Police departments deny lying but acknowledge sometimes making mistakes when releasing information in fast-moving, complicated situations. The videos, they say, do not always capture officers’ perspectives.
Defense attorneys say the inaccurate statements are encouraged by a culture of silence in which officers protect misbehaving colleagues, a court system that rarely holds officers accountable and a public that has given police the benefit of the doubt.
Floyd died as a white officer put his knee on his neck for nearly 9 minutes, even after Floyd stopped moving. Cellphone video showed him pleading for air as other officers stood by and bystanders urged the police to help him.
The department's initial news release claimed that Floyd "appeared to be suffering medical distress" after he resisted arrest and was handcuffed. The death set off nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder said Tuesday that he missed initial notifications about Floyd and did not visit the scene, as he usually does after major events. He said he knew the arrest was on body camera video but that he would not be able to review it for several hours. He said he released the initial description after being briefed by supervisors, whom he learned later were not at the scene either.
The department realized the statement was inaccurate hours later when the bystander video surfaced, and immediately requested an FBI investigation, he said. By then, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension had taken over the investigation of Floyd's death, and Elder said he was unable to send out a corrected statement.
"I will never lie to cover up the actions of somebody else," Elder said.
In Buffalo, authorities suspended and charged two officers who were seen last week shoving 75-year-old peace activist Martin Gugino, who fell backward and struck his head on the sidewalk and immediately bled from an ear. The charges came only after video captured by a television crew was broadcast. The shove was not mentioned in an initial statement saying that Gugino fell. Police later apologized and said they were "working with incomplete details during what was a very fast-moving and fluid situation."
President Trump then tweeted a misleading and provocative version of the incident. Here is that tweet in full: “Buffalo protester shoved by Police could be an ANTIFA provocateur. 75 year old Martin Gugino was pushed away after appearing to scan police communications in order to black out the equipment. @OANN I watched, he fell harder than was pushed. Was aiming scanner. Could be a set up?”
There is no indication that Gugino was part of the loosely organized Antifa movement, or that he was trying to jam police equipment.
On Friday, a prosecutor in Philadelphia charged an officer who was seen on video striking a Temple University student in the head and neck with a metal baton.
The 21-year-old protester needed several staples and stitches to close his wound. He was in custody for almost 40 hours on allegations that he assaulted and injured an officer, according to his attorney. The student was released after prosecutors saw the video and decided to pursue the officer who hit him instead.
Those are only the most recent examples. The same phenomenon has rocked other law enforcement agencies, particularly when minorities have been killed in police interactions that are captured by cellphones, surveillance systems or officers’ cameras.
In Chicago, authorities initially said the 2014 shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald was justified because the teen was approaching officers with a knife. But more than a year later, video was released showing that McDonald was veering away when he was shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke, who was later convicted of second-degree murder.
When an officer in suburban Dallas shot 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in 2017, his department said Edwards was in a vehicle with other teenagers that backed up toward police "in an aggressive manner." The chief later acknowledged that police video showed the vehicle was moving away from, not toward, officers. The officer who fired into the car was convicted in Edwards’ death.
Civil rights attorney Michael Avery, board president of the National Police Accountability Project, said false claims by police have long been known to inner-city communities.
"But what is happening now with video, this is getting out into the larger world, into the media, into white communities, suburban communities, and people outside the affected communities are becoming more aware of what's going on," he said. "It's a completely different situation."
When he started practicing law 50 years ago, Avery said, claims of misconduct were hard to prove because it was often one person’s word against "an officer and the officer’s buddies."
The habit of police giving false testimony is so widely known in New York that it has long been nicknamed "testilying." Officers are rarely held accountable because they enjoy broad legal protections, and prosecutors almost never charge them with perjury, Avery said.
False public statements made by police departments and their leaders are more of a "political issue" than a legal one, he said.
The availability of video and a fast-moving news cycle accelerated by social media have put extra pressure on police department public information officers.
Having to retract a statement is "very embarrassing to the agency" and causes the community to lose trust, said Leonard Sipes Jr., a retired law enforcement and government spokesman who has written and taught extensively about media relations.
Police representatives should try to watch any video before releasing information to the public and take steps to verify the statements of officers and administrators, he said.
"If they aren't sure as to what transpired, simply say it's under investigation and leave it alone," he said. "It makes no sense to be putting out a story today and two days later having to retract it."
By RYAN J. FOLEY
(Courthouse News contributed to this report.)


courthousenews--2020-06-10--IBM Quits Facial Recognition, Calls for Police Reforms

IBM ’ s new CEO questions whether facial recognition technology should be used by police at all .
( AP ) — IBM is getting out of the facial recognition business , saying it ’ s concerned about how the technology can be used for mass surveillance and racial profiling .
Protests responding to the death of George Floyd have sparked a broader reckoning over racial injustice and a closer look at the use of police technology to track demonstrators and monitor U.S. neighborhoods .
IBM is one of several big tech firms that had sought to improve the accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial and gender disparities .
But its new CEO is questioning whether it should be used by police at all .
“ We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies , ” CEO Arvind Krishna wrote in a letter sent Monday to federal lawmakers .
IBM ’ s decision to stop building and selling facial recognition software is unlikely to affect its bottom line , since the tech giant is increasingly focused on cloud computing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cornered the market for government facial recognition contracts .
“ But the symbolic nature of this is important , ” said Mutale Nkonde , a research fellow at Harvard and Stanford universities who directs the nonprofit AI For the People .
Nkonde said IBM shutting down a business “ under the guise of advancing anti-racist business practices ” shows that it can be done and makes it “ socially unacceptable for companies who tweet Black Lives Matter to do so while contracting with the police.
” Krishna ’ s letter was addressed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working on police reform legislation in Congress fueled by the mass protests over Floyd ’ s death .
The sweeping reform package could include restrictions on police use of facial recognition .
The practice of using a form of artificial intelligence to identify people in photo databases or video feeds has come under heightened scrutiny after researchers found racial and gender disparities in systems built by companies including IBM , Microsoft and Amazon .
IBM had tested its facial recognition software with the New York Police Department , although the department has more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not clear if IBM has contracts with other government agencies .
Many U.S. law enforcement agencies rely on facial recognition software built by companies less well-known to the public , such as Tokyo-based NEC or the European companies Idemia and Cognitec , according to Clare Garvie , a researcher at Georgetown University ’ s Center on Privacy and Technology .
A smaller number have partnered with Amazon , which has attracted the most opposition from privacy advocates since it introduced its Rekognition software in 2016 .
Krishna ’ s letter called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology , including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors , for mass surveillance , racial profiling ” and human rights violations .
Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns in recent weeks about the use of surveillance technology to monitor protesters or enforce rules set to curb the coronavirus pandemic .
Even before the protests , senators this year had been scrutinizing New York facial recognition startup Clearview AI after investigative reports about its practice of harvesting billions of photos from social media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joy Buolamwini , of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology whose research on facial recognition bias helped spur IBM ’ s re-examination of the technology , said Tuesday she commends the congressional police reform package for seeking restrictions on the use of police body cameras to scan people ’ s faces in real time .
But she said lawmakers can go further to protect people from having governments scan their faces on social media posts or in public spaces without their knowledge .
“ Regardless of the accuracy of these systems , mass surveillance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chilling effects and the silencing of dissent , ” Buolamwini wrote in an email sent from Boston City Hall , where she was testifying in support of a proposed ban on facial recognition use by municipal agencies .
San Francisco and several other cities have enacted similar bans in the past year .

IBM is getting out of the facial recognition business, saying it's concerned about how the technology can be used for mass surveillance and racial profiling.
(AP) — IBM is getting out of the facial recognition business, saying it's concerned about how the technology can be used for mass surveillance and racial profiling.
Protests responding to the death of George Floyd have sparked a broader reckoning over racial injustice and a closer look at the use of police technology to track demonstrators and monitor U.S. neighborhoods.
IBM is one of several big tech firms that had sought to improve the accuracy of their face-scanning software after research found racial and gender disparities. But its new CEO is questioning whether it should be used by police at all.
"We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies," CEO Arvind Krishna wrote in a letter sent Monday to federal lawmakers.
IBM's decision to stop building and selling facial recognition software is unlikely to affect its bottom line, since the tech giant is increasingly focused on cloud computing while an array of lesser-known firms have cornered the market for government facial recognition contracts.
"But the symbolic nature of this is important," said Mutale Nkonde, a research fellow at Harvard and Stanford universities who directs the nonprofit AI For the People.
Nkonde said IBM shutting down a business "under the guise of advancing anti-racist business practices" shows that it can be done and makes it "socially unacceptable for companies who tweet Black Lives Matter to do so while contracting with the police."
Krishna's letter was addressed to a group of Democrats who have been working on police reform legislation in Congress fueled by the mass protests over Floyd's death. The sweeping reform package could include restrictions on police use of facial recognition.
The practice of using a form of artificial intelligence to identify people in photo databases or video feeds has come under heightened scrutiny after researchers found racial and gender disparities in systems built by companies including IBM, Microsoft and Amazon.
IBM had tested its facial recognition software with the New York Police Department, although the department has more recently used other vendors. It's not clear if IBM has contracts with other government agencies.
Many U.S. law enforcement agencies rely on facial recognition software built by companies less well-known to the public, such as Tokyo-based NEC or the European companies Idemia and Cognitec, according to Clare Garvie, a researcher at Georgetown University's Center on Privacy and Technology.
A smaller number have partnered with Amazon, which has attracted the most opposition from privacy advocates since it introduced its Rekognition software in 2016.
Krishna's letter called for police reforms and said that "IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology, including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors, for mass surveillance, racial profiling" and human rights violations.
Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns in recent weeks about the use of surveillance technology to monitor protesters or enforce rules set to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
Even before the protests, senators this year had been scrutinizing New York facial recognition startup Clearview AI after investigative reports about its practice of harvesting billions of photos from social media and other internet services to identify people.
Joy Buolamwini, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology whose research on facial recognition bias helped spur IBM's re-examination of the technology, said Tuesday she commends the congressional police reform package for seeking restrictions on the use of police body cameras to scan people’s faces in real time.
But she said lawmakers can go further to protect people from having governments scan their faces on social media posts or in public spaces without their knowledge.
"Regardless of the accuracy of these systems, mass surveillance enabled by facial recognition can lead to chilling effects and the silencing of dissent," Buolamwini wrote in an email sent from Boston City Hall, where she was testifying in support of a proposed ban on facial recognition use by municipal agencies. San Francisco and several other cities have enacted similar bans in the past year.
By MATT O'BRIEN


courthousenews--2020-06-10--New York Reforms Law on Police Discipline Records

The Legislature voted to repeal a decades-old law that kept police discipline records secret .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo said he will sign it .
ALBANY , N.Y. ( AP ) — New York state lawmakers repealed a decades-old law Tuesday that has kept law enforcement officers ’ disciplinary records secret , spurred by the national uproar over the death of George Floyd .
The measure to make officers ’ records and misconduct complaints public is among several police accountability bills racing through the New York Legislature .
Lawmakers passed other bills that would provide all state troopers with body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical and mental health attention to people in custody .
Many of those bills were proposed years ago , but got momentum after huge protests nationwide condemned police brutality .
The passage came as criminal charges were brought Tuesday against an NYPD officer for his rough treatment of a protester during demonstrations after the death of Floyd , who died as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck for nearly 9 minutes on May 25 .
Eliminating the law , known as Section 50-a , would make complaints against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disciplinary proceedings , public for the first time in decades .
Governor Andrew Cuomo , who has recently supported reforming the law , said he will sign the repeal .
Only Delaware has a similar law .
Momentum for ending the secrecy law reached a crescendo in recent days as marchers filled streets in Brooklyn , Manhattan , Buffalo and elsewhere to rally against police abuses — amplifying the calls of reform advocates who spent years pushing for change in the wake of other high-profile police killings , including that of Eric Garner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for rejoicing , ” said state Sen. Kevin Parker , a Democrat representing parts of Brooklyn .
“ This bill has been around for over a decade … and the only reason why we ’ re bringing it to the floor now because the nation is burning.
” Several family members of New Yorkers killed by police officers gathered at New York City Hall Tuesday to call for police reforms and repealing 50-a , which state courts have cited in decisions to withhold officers ’ personnel records .
“ We are tearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been shielding officers across the state , ” said Constance Malcolm , mother of the late Ramarley Graham , who was unarmed when he was shot to death by a white NYPD officer in the bathroom of his apartment in 2012 .
The state Senate and Assembly passed the 50-a repeal largely along party lines , as Republicans said the law would allow release of unsubstantiated or false complaints against officers .
But one of the bill ’ s sponsors , state Sen. Jamaal Bailey , a Bronx Democrat , said the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Sometimes unsubstantiated complaints happen because people don ’ t want to follow up.
” The Legislature on Monday passed other police accountability measures , banning police from using chokeholds , guaranteeing the right to record police activity and making it easier to file lawsuits against people making race-based 911 calls .
As lawmakers acted on accountability legislation , NYPD Officer Vincent D ’ Andraia was being arraigned on assault and other charges days after a bystander recorded him pushing protester Dounya Zayer , causing her to hit her head on the pavement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf .
The officer was ordered to stay away from Zayer , who was hospitalized after the May 29 altercation with what she said were a concussion and a seizure .
“ Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting , and that ’ s police brutality , ” said Zayer ’ s attorney , Tahanie Aboushi , adding that D ’ Andraia ’ s supervisor should face punishment beyond an announced reassignment .
“ If not for this being on video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the NYPD , ” Aboushi said .
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said he was “ deeply troubled by this unnecessary assault.
” Zayer , 20 , called D ’ Andraia a coward and said the assault would deepen mistrust of law enforcement .
“ I was protesting for a reason , ” Zayer said in a video tweeted from her hospital bed .
The officer , she said , “ should have had the self-restraint to not hurt the people he ’ s supposed to be protecting.
” The police department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week without pay .
His attorney , Stephen Worth , did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
If convicted , D ’ Andraia could face a year behind bars , but first-time offenders rarely see any jail time .
D ’ Andraia is the first New York City police officer to face criminal charges for alleged misconduct during days of unrest that roiled the city in the wake of Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis .
Two Buffalo officers were charged with assault last week after they were seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
D ’ Andraia ’ s union said de Blasio and police leaders were “ sacrificing cops to save their own skin ” by sending officers out to protests with “ no support and no clear plan.
” “ They should be the ones facing this mob-rule justice , ” Police Benevolent Association president Pat Lynch said .
“ We will say it again : New York City police officers have been abandoned by our leadership .
We are utterly alone in our efforts to protect our city .
”

New York state lawmakers repealed a decades-old law Tuesday that has kept law enforcement officers’ disciplinary records secret, spurred by the national uproar over the death of George Floyd.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state lawmakers repealed a decades-old law Tuesday that has kept law enforcement officers’ disciplinary records secret, spurred by the national uproar over the death of George Floyd.
The measure to make officers’ records and misconduct complaints public is among several police accountability bills racing through the New York Legislature. Lawmakers passed other bills that would provide all state troopers with body cameras and require police officers to provide medical and mental health attention to people in custody.
Many of those bills were proposed years ago, but got momentum after huge protests nationwide condemned police brutality.
The passage came as criminal charges were brought Tuesday against an NYPD officer for his rough treatment of a protester during demonstrations after the death of Floyd, who died as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck for nearly 9 minutes on May 25.
Eliminating the law, known as Section 50-a, would make complaints against officers, transcripts and final dispositions of disciplinary proceedings, public for the first time in decades.
Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has recently supported reforming the law, said he will sign the repeal. Only Delaware has a similar law.
Momentum for ending the secrecy law reached a crescendo in recent days as marchers filled streets in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Buffalo and elsewhere to rally against police abuses — amplifying the calls of reform advocates who spent years pushing for change in the wake of other high-profile police killings, including that of Eric Garner in 2014.
"This is no time for rejoicing," said state Sen. Kevin Parker, a Democrat representing parts of Brooklyn. "This bill has been around for over a decade … and the only reason why we're bringing it to the floor now because the nation is burning."
Several family members of New Yorkers killed by police officers gathered at New York City Hall Tuesday to call for police reforms and repealing 50-a, which state courts have cited in decisions to withhold officers’ personnel records.
"We are tearing down the wall of secrecy that has been shielding officers across the state," said Constance Malcolm, mother of the late Ramarley Graham, who was unarmed when he was shot to death by a white NYPD officer in the bathroom of his apartment in 2012.
The state Senate and Assembly passed the 50-a repeal largely along party lines, as Republicans said the law would allow release of unsubstantiated or false complaints against officers.
But one of the bill's sponsors, state Sen. Jamaal Bailey, a Bronx Democrat, said the public has a right to view complaints: "Sometimes unsubstantiated complaints happen because people don't want to follow up."
The Legislature on Monday passed other police accountability measures, banning police from using chokeholds, guaranteeing the right to record police activity and making it easier to file lawsuits against people making race-based 911 calls.
As lawmakers acted on accountability legislation, NYPD Officer Vincent D’Andraia was being arraigned on assault and other charges days after a bystander recorded him pushing protester Dounya Zayer, causing her to hit her head on the pavement.
D'Andraia was released after his attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. The officer was ordered to stay away from Zayer, who was hospitalized after the May 29 altercation with what she said were a concussion and a seizure.
"Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting, and that's police brutality," said Zayer's attorney, Tahanie Aboushi, adding that D'Andraia's supervisor should face punishment beyond an announced reassignment.
"If not for this being on video it would have been business as usual for the NYPD," Aboushi said.
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said he was "deeply troubled by this unnecessary assault." Zayer, 20, called D'Andraia a coward and said the assault would deepen mistrust of law enforcement.
"I was protesting for a reason," Zayer said in a video tweeted from her hospital bed. The officer, she said, "should have had the self-restraint to not hurt the people he's supposed to be protecting."
The police department suspended D'Andraia, 28, last week without pay. His attorney, Stephen Worth, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. If convicted, D'Andraia could face a year behind bars, but first-time offenders rarely see any jail time.
D'Andraia is the first New York City police officer to face criminal charges for alleged misconduct during days of unrest that roiled the city in the wake of Floyd's death in Minneapolis. Two Buffalo officers were charged with assault last week after they were seen on video shoving a 75-year-old protester to the ground.
D'Andraia's union said de Blasio and police leaders were "sacrificing cops to save their own skin" by sending officers out to protests with "no support and no clear plan."
"They should be the ones facing this mob-rule justice," Police Benevolent Association president Pat Lynch said. "We will say it again: New York City police officers have been abandoned by our leadership. We are utterly alone in our efforts to protect our city."
By MARINA VILLENEUVE, MICHAEL R. SISAK and JIM MUSTIAN


courthousenews--2020-06-10--‘Cops’ Pulled From TV After 33 Years

‘Cops’ Pulled From TV After 33 Years

Nationwide protests of the police killing of George Floyd are reverberating in one industry after another .
( AP ) — After 33 seasons on the air , “ Cops ” has been dropped by the Paramount Network as protests against police proliferate around the world .
“ Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don ’ t have any current or future plans for it to return , ” a spokesperson for the cable channel said in a statement Tuesday .
The show had been pulled temporarily from the air in late May , when protests aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd began to gain momentum .
That move was made permanent Tuesday .
It ’ s not clear whether the company that makes the show , Langley Productions , would try to find a new home for it .
A voicemail at a company phone number was not accepting messages .
The reality show , with its reggae theme song “ Bad Boys , ” allowed viewers to ride along with police officers on patrol in various cities .
It ran on the Fox network for 25 years until 2013 , when Viacom-owned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show remained on the air after Spike was re-branded as the Paramount Network in 2018 .
In other so-called “ reality TV ” news , the Bravo network said four cast members of “ Vanderpump Rules ” will not return for another season of the show — two because of racist social media posts , and the others after they racially profiled a coworker .
Bravo confirmed in a statement Tuesday that Stassi Schroeder , Kristen Doute , Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni would not return to the series , which will broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
The show follows the personal lives of current and former employees of former “ Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ” star Lisa Vanderpump ’ s Los Angeles restaurants .
It was revealed last week on a podcast that Schroeder and Doute had reported a former African American coworker , Faith Stowers , for a crime she had nothing to do with .
Stowers appeared on two seasons of “ Vanderpump.
” Boyens and Caprioni were let go over past tweets that contained racial slurs .
Schroeder and Doute , who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since its 2013 debut , have apologized on social media .
Boyens and Caprioni , who are new to the series , apologized on last week ’ s reunion episode of “ Vanderpump Rules.
” Vanderpump appeared on nine seasons of “ Real Housewives of Beverly Hills ” and left that series last year .

After 33 seasons on the air, "Cops" has been dropped by the Paramount Network as protests against police proliferate around the world.
(AP) — After 33 seasons on the air, "Cops" has been dropped by the Paramount Network as protests against police proliferate around the world.
"Cops is not on the Paramount Network and we don't have any current or future plans for it to return," a spokesperson for the cable channel said in a statement Tuesday.
The show had been pulled temporarily from the air in late May, when protests aimed at police over the death of George Floyd began to gain momentum. That move was made permanent Tuesday.
It's not clear whether the company that makes the show, Langley Productions, would try to find a new home for it. A voicemail at a company phone number was not accepting messages.
The reality show, with its reggae theme song "Bad Boys," allowed viewers to ride along with police officers on patrol in various cities.
It ran on the Fox network for 25 years until 2013, when Viacom-owned Spike TV picked it up. The show remained on the air after Spike was re-branded as the Paramount Network in 2018.
In other so-called “reality TV” news, the Bravo network said four cast members of “Vanderpump Rules” will not return for another season of the show — two because of racist social media posts, and the others after they racially profiled a coworker.
Bravo confirmed in a statement Tuesday that Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni would not return to the series, which will broadcast its final episode of season eight next week.
The show follows the personal lives of current and former employees of former "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Lisa Vanderpump's Los Angeles restaurants.
It was revealed last week on a podcast that Schroeder and Doute had reported a former African American coworker, Faith Stowers, for a crime she had nothing to do with. Stowers appeared on two seasons of "Vanderpump."
Boyens and Caprioni were let go over past tweets that contained racial slurs.
Schroeder and Doute, who have been main cast members on the show since its 2013 debut, have apologized on social media. Boyens and Caprioni, who are new to the series, apologized on last week's reunion episode of "Vanderpump Rules."
Vanderpump appeared on nine seasons of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and left that series last year.


courthousenews--2020-06-10--US Seeks $225M Fine for Pair Who Made 1 Billion Robocalls

( AP ) — The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday proposed a $ 225 million fine , its largest ever , against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers .
The FCC said John Spiller and Jakob Mears made the calls through two businesses .
Attorneys general of Arkansas , Indiana , Michigan , Missouri , North Carolina , Ohio and Texas also sued the two men and their companies , Rising Eagle and JSquared Telecom , in Texas federal court , where both men live , for violating the federal law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act .
The FCC said the robocalls offered plans from major insurers such as Aetna and UnitedHealth with an automated message .
If consumers pressed a button for more information , however , they were transferred to a call center that sold plans not connected to those companies .
The FCC said the Missouri attorney general sued Rising Eagle ’ s largest client , Health Advisors of America , for telemarketing violations last year .
Over more than four months in early 2019 , the FCC said , these telemarketers faked the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent to deceive consumers ; purposefully called people who are on the Do Not Call list ; and called people ’ s mobile phones without permission .
Consumers were not the only ones bothered .
The telemarketers faked their calls to make them appear they came from other companies , which then received angry calls and were sued by consumers .
The FCC did not name these companies , but said one got so many calls that its phone network “ became unusable.
” The fine is not a final decision .
Spiller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond .
As robocalls became a pressing issue for consumers , as an annoyance and as a vehicle for fraud , the FCC has pushed carriers to do more to stop them .
A new law beefs up enforcement and mandates that the phone industry not charge for call-blocking tools and put in place a system designed to weed out spoofed calls made using fake numbers .
Reached by phone at the number listed for JSquared , Spiller declined to comment .
He declined to provide contact information for Mears and said neither @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday proposed a $225 million fine, its largest ever, against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers.
(AP) — The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday proposed a $225 million fine, its largest ever, against two health insurance telemarketers for spamming people with 1 billion robocalls using fake phone numbers.
The FCC said John Spiller and Jakob Mears made the calls through two businesses. Attorneys general of Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas also sued the two men and their companies, Rising Eagle and JSquared Telecom, in Texas federal court, where both men live, for violating the federal law governing telemarketing, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
The FCC said the robocalls offered plans from major insurers such as Aetna and UnitedHealth with an automated message. If consumers pressed a button for more information, however, they were transferred to a call center that sold plans not connected to those companies. The FCC said the Missouri attorney general sued Rising Eagle's largest client, Health Advisors of America, for telemarketing violations last year.
Over more than four months in early 2019, the FCC said, these telemarketers faked the number their calls displayed in caller ID with intent to deceive consumers; purposefully called people who are on the Do Not Call list; and called people's mobile phones without permission.
Consumers were not the only ones bothered. The telemarketers faked their calls to make them appear they came from other companies, which then received angry calls and were sued by consumers. The FCC did not name these companies, but said one got so many calls that its phone network "became unusable."
The fine is not a final decision. Spiller and Mears will have a chance to respond.
As robocalls became a pressing issue for consumers, as an annoyance and as a vehicle for fraud, the FCC has pushed carriers to do more to stop them. A new law beefs up enforcement and mandates that the phone industry not charge for call-blocking tools and put in place a system designed to weed out spoofed calls made using fake numbers.
Reached by phone at the number listed for JSquared, Spiller declined to comment. He declined to provide contact information for Mears and said neither would speak before talking to an attorney.
By TALI ARBEL


courthousenews--2020-06-11--California Judicial Council Ends Covid-Related Emergency Bail Schedule

SAN FRANCISCO ( CN ) — By a vote of 17–2 , California ’ s Judicial Council rescinded a statewide emergency bail schedule , which had set bail at $ 0 for people arrested for low-level crimes to curb the spread of coronavirus in jails .
The council enacted the emergency rule in early April .
It applies to people accused of misdemeanors and some felonies with the exceptions of those charged with violent felonies , stalking , child abuse , and domestic violence .
The emergency rule , which will now end June 20 , was a temporary response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Since jails are a tinderbox for contagion , the state corrections department moved to stop receiving new inmates , fearing ignition of an outbreak by anyone from the outside .
Sheriffs began to cite and release offenders , a move unpopular with law enforcement as some of those arrested went on to reoffend .
The Judicial Council announced plans for a vote to repeal the emergency bail order earlier this week , as California is well into a phased reopening of businesses deemed “ non-essential ” and the corrections department has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminals , which should ease the population burden at county jails .
Courts can still determine whether to impose bail locally or continue to have it presumptively set at $ 0 , though the council recommends the latter option .
“ The Judicial Council ’ s action better reflects the current needs of our state , which has different health concerns and restrictions county-to-county based on the threat posed by COVID-19 , ” Council member Justice Marsha Slough said in a statement .
“ We urge local courts to continue to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect the health of the community , the courts , and the incarcerated .
We are also asking courts to report back by June 20 on whether they plan to keep the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule , or another reduced bail schedule.
” The council could reinstate the $ 0 bail schedule should the public health crisis suddenly worsen .
In a memo recommending the repeal , the council explained why it did not circulate it for public comment ahead of Wednesday ’ s vote .
“ This proposal has not been circulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to address the rapidly changing public health and safety conditions that vary from county to county across the state , ” the memo states .
“ As courts continue expansion of court services and counties undertake phased reopening , the council must act swiftly to return discretion to the courts for their criminal procedures.
” Slough said in a statement Monday that since the council enacted $ 0 bail , “ the vast majority of people released on the COVID-19 bail schedule did not reoffend.
” In a statement , Alameda County Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate has remained low .
“ Law enforcement has put out this false narrative that too many people are reoffending after getting arrested .
In fact , crime is down and the overwhelming majority of people released have stayed out of trouble , ” Woods said .
He urged the council to keep the emergency bail schedule in effect .
“ Rescinding the emergency bail schedule early is a great example of exactly the kind of systemic racism people are protesting against , ” he said .
“ Now is not the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made in the last three months and begin filling our jails with Black and Brown people again .
The efforts we ’ ve made to stop Covid from running through our jails seem to have worked.
” The only “ no ” votes came from the two lawmakers on the council , State Senator Hannah Beth Jackson , D-Santa Barbara , and Assemblymember Richard Bloom , D-Santa Monica .

By a vote of 17–2, California’s Judicial Council rescinded a statewide emergency bail schedule, which had set bail at $0 for people arrested for low-level crimes to curb the spread of coronavirus in jails.
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — By a vote of 17–2, California’s Judicial Council rescinded a statewide emergency bail schedule, which had set bail at $0 for people arrested for low-level crimes to curb the spread of coronavirus in jails.
The council enacted the emergency rule in early April. It applies to people accused of misdemeanors and some felonies with the exceptions of those charged with violent felonies, stalking, child abuse, and domestic violence.
The emergency rule, which will now end June 20, was a temporary response to the state’s public health crisis. Since jails are a tinderbox for contagion, the state corrections department moved to stop receiving new inmates, fearing ignition of an outbreak by anyone from the outside. Sheriffs began to cite and release offenders, a move unpopular with law enforcement as some of those arrested went on to reoffend.
The seal of the Judicial Council of California, the policymaking body of the California courts. (Photo the Judicial Council of California via YouTube)
The Judicial Council announced plans for a vote to repeal the emergency bail order earlier this week, as California is well into a phased reopening of businesses deemed “non-essential” and the corrections department has opened intake at state institutions for convicted criminals, which should ease the population burden at county jails.
Courts can still determine whether to impose bail locally or continue to have it presumptively set at $0, though the council recommends the latter option.
"The Judicial Council's action better reflects the current needs of our state, which has different health concerns and restrictions county-to-county based on the threat posed by Covid-19," Council member Justice Marsha Slough said in a statement. "We urge local courts to continue to use the emergency Covid-19 bail schedule where necessary to protect the health of the community, the courts, and the incarcerated. We are also asking courts to report back by June 20 on whether they plan to keep the COVID-19 emergency bail schedule, or another reduced bail schedule.”
The council could reinstate the $0 bail schedule should the public health crisis suddenly worsen.
In a memo recommending the repeal, the council explained why it did not circulate it for public comment ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
“This proposal has not been circulated for comment due to the urgent need to address the rapidly changing public health and safety conditions that vary from county to county across the state,” the memo states. “As courts continue expansion of court services and counties undertake phased reopening, the council must act swiftly to return discretion to the courts for their criminal procedures.”
Slough said in a statement Monday that since the council enacted $0 bail, “the vast majority of people released on the Covid-19 bail schedule did not reoffend.”
In a statement, Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods also said the crime rate has remained low.
“Law enforcement has put out this false narrative that too many people are reoffending after getting arrested. In fact, crime is down and the overwhelming majority of people released have stayed out of trouble,” Woods said.
He urged the council to keep the emergency bail schedule in effect.
“Rescinding the emergency bail schedule early is a great example of exactly the kind of systemic racism people are protesting against,” he said. “Now is not the time to undo the progress we’ve made in the last three months and begin filling our jails with Black and Brown people again. The efforts we’ve made to stop Covid from running through our jails seem to have worked.”
The only “no” votes came from the two lawmakers on the council, State Senator Hannah Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, and Assemblymember Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica.


courthousenews--2020-06-11--LAPD Costco Shooting Violated Department Policy, Oversight Body Rules

LOS ANGELES ( CN ) – An off-duty Los Angeles police officer violated department policy when he fatally shot a mentally disabled man and injured his parents at a Costco last year , the LA Board of Police Commissioners announced Wednesday .
Kenneth French , 32 , was shot four times by LAPD officer Salvador Sanchez inside a crowded Costco store in the Riverside County city of Corona , California in June 2019 .
Sanchez told prosecutors the shooting was an act of self-defense after French struck him in the head while the off-duty officer was holding his infant child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members have said he lived with intellectual disabilities .
Months after the shooting , a grand jury determined criminal charges should not be filed against Sanchez and the Riverside District Attorney ’ s office said it would not pursue charges .
But on Wednesday , after reviewing an investigation report on the incident during a closed meeting , the commissioners unanimously adopted LA Police Chief Michel Moore ’ s recommendation to find the shooting violated department use-of-force policy .
Sanchez has already been stripped of his police powers .
Moore , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanchez , said the shooting was clearly out of line with department policy .
“ Regardless of the outcome of this next chapter , I express my profound regret for what occurred to the French family and loved ones , ” Moore said in a statement Wednesday .
“ The decisions and actions of this officer can not be justified and are inconsistent with the department ’ s core values , training and expectations of every member of this organization.
” Riverside District Attorney Mike Hestrin did not respond to a request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal charges in the matter .
Kenneth French ’ s parents , Paola and Russell French – who survived the shooting – sustained serious injuries after coming between their son and Sanchez in an attempt to de-escalate the situation .
In a press conference in August 2019 , Paola French said the family shouted at Sanchez not to shoot her son .
“ I was pleading for my son and our lives , but I was still shot in the back , ” she said , fighting back tears .
“ What threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dale Galipo , the French family ’ s attorney , did not immediately respond to a request for comment by press time .
The LAPD announced Wednesday it is investigating at least 56 incidents of misconduct by police during peaceful protests in LA demanding an end to police violence and systemic racism .
Of the 56 complaints , 28 allege excessive force by police against protesters , the department said .
“ The department has assigned 40 investigators to this effort and we will look into every complaint thoroughly and hold every officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department said in a statement Wednesday , adding it has already stripped seven officers of field assignments .
The LAPD encourages any protesters or other LA residents who may have been victims of police misconduct or violence to file a complaint with the Internal Affairs Group at 800-339-6868 , though legal advocates at street protests have encouraged victims to speak with an attorney first .

An off-duty Los Angeles police officer violated department policy when he fatally shot a mentally disabled man and injured his parents at a Costco last year, the LA Board of Police Commissioners announced Wednesday.
LOS ANGELES (CN) — An off-duty Los Angeles police officer violated department policy when he fatally shot a mentally disabled man and injured his parents at a Costco last year, the LA Board of Police Commissioners announced Wednesday.
Kenneth French, 32, was shot four times by LAPD officer Salvador Sanchez inside a crowded Costco store in the Riverside County city of Corona, California, in June 2019.
Sanchez told prosecutors the shooting was an act of self-defense after French struck him in the head while the off-duty officer was holding his infant child in the store.
French’s family members have said he lived with intellectual disabilities.
Months after the shooting, a grand jury determined criminal charges should not be filed against Sanchez and the Riverside District Attorney’s office said it would not pursue charges.
But on Wednesday, after reviewing an investigation report on the incident during a closed meeting, the commissioners unanimously adopted LA Police Chief Michel Moore’s recommendation to find the shooting violated department use-of-force policy.
Sanchez has already been stripped of his police powers.
Moore, who will now determine any further penalties for Sanchez, said the shooting was clearly out of line with department policy.
“Regardless of the outcome of this next chapter, I express my profound regret for what occurred to the French family and loved ones,” Moore said in a statement Wednesday. “The decisions and actions of this officer cannot be justified and are inconsistent with the department’s core values, training and expectations of every member of this organization."
"After hearing all of the evidence, including testimony from individuals who had not previously provided information to law enforcement, the jury deliberated for two weeks and returned a 'No Bill,'" a spokesperson for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said.
"Because no indictment issued, the complete transcripts of these proceedings are sealed by statute and we are not at liberty to disclose additional information. By contrast, the determination by the LAPD Board of Police Commissioners involves whether or not an incident is within that department’s policy and does not involve any findings of potential criminal liability on the part of the officer."
Kenneth French’s parents, Paola and Russell French - who survived the shooting - sustained serious injuries after coming between their son and Sanchez in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.
In a press conference in August 2019, Paola French said the family shouted at Sanchez not to shoot her son.
“I was pleading for my son and our lives, but I was still shot in the back,” she said, fighting back tears. “What threat did I pose to him?”
Dale Galipo, the French family’s attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment by press time.
The LAPD announced Wednesday it is investigating at least 56 incidents of misconduct by police during peaceful protests in LA demanding an end to police violence and systemic racism.
Of the 56 complaints, 28 allege excessive force by police against protesters, the department said.
“The department has assigned 40 investigators to this effort and we will look into every complaint thoroughly and hold every officer accountable for their actions,” the department said in a statement Wednesday, adding it has already stripped seven officers of field assignments.
The LAPD encourages any protesters or other LA residents who may have been victims of police misconduct or violence to file a complaint with the Internal Affairs Group at 800-339-6868, though legal advocates at street protests have encouraged victims to speak with an attorney first.


Education Boards

FRANKFORT , Ky. — A federal court in Kentucky dismissed a due process suit against Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear brought @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s Board of Education , who claimed the governor unconstitutionally fired them @ @ @ @ @ office .
The governor is permitted by state statute to “ abolish and reconstruct ” @ @ @ @ @ .

The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.


courthousenews--2020-06-10--Oscar Grant’s Father Tells Protesters to Keep Fighting in Oakland

SAN FRANCISCO ( CN ) – The father of Oscar Grant III , whose death at the hands of a transit police officer in 2009 sparked widespread protests and led to police oversight reforms at a Bay Area public transit agency , told a crowd of protesters in downtown Oakland Wednesday to keep fighting for justice .
“ I want to thank you for pushing the issues and standing up for what ’ s right , ” Oscar Grant Jr. told a crowd outside Oakland City Hall on Wednesday afternoon .
Grant Jr. was convicted and imprisoned in 1985 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in East Oakland .
He told the San Francisco Bay View newspaper in 2013 that the shooting resulted from a drug deal gone bad .
He said a rival gang paid witnesses to testify against him , securing a false murder conviction .
Grant Jr. served more than 30 years in prison for what he maintains was a false murder conviction .
Meanwhile , the officer that shot his son was released in 2011 after serving half of a two-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter .
“ I ’ m going to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in brief comments to the crowd .
“ I ’ m going to make sure they pay for it.
” JR Vallrey of East Oakland also addressed the crowd Wednesday , telling demonstrators that he doesn ’ t like the phrase “ Black Lives Matter.
” That has become the slogan for a movement against the well documented tendency of law enforcement to target people of color with violence and deadly force .
“ Black lives always mattered , ” Vallrey said .
“ I don ’ t need a validation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dislikes the terms “ good protesters ” and “ bad protesters.
” Whether opponents of racial injustice are “ handing out lollipops that say ‘ Fuck the police ’ ” or throwing rocks , they are all “ soldiers on the battlefield , ” he said .
After delivering those comments , Vallrey explained in a brief interview why he disagrees with those who criticize protesters who break windows or insist that property destruction is counterproductive to the goals of fighting systemic racism .
“ Violence doesn ’ t happen against unliving things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equate the destruction of a building or window with a life , you can ’ t equate the two .
You can replace a window .
You can ’ t replace somebody ’ s life.
” Vallrey believes the resistance must fight on many different levels .
He is not married to one particular tactic , but he is married to the objective of ending racist oppression .
“ If passive means don ’ t achieve the objective , then more radical means become necessary because we are not accepting no on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Also addressing the crowd Wednesday was Markos Gonzalez , a 32-year-old Oakland resident .
Gonzalez recalled feeling powerless when he watched the disturbing video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on George Floyd ’ s neck for nearly nine minutes , knowing he could do nothing to stop it .
He later realized that people lifting their voices against injustice are powerful , he said .
“ As long as you have a voice , you ’ re not powerless , ” Gonzalez cried .
Succatti Shaw , a 46-year-old black mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to train her son on what to do when he walks outside , knowing he must follow a different protocol to avoid being harmed by police because of his skin color .
Shaw urged people to vote and to research candidates and ballot measures before they vote .
She said not voting helps enable police unions to maintain their grip on power over government officials and policies .
“ If you didn ’ t vote , you were a key factor in George Floyd being murdered , ” Shaw said .
Glancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Shaw said she expects to see each and every one of them at City Council meetings and County Board of Supervisors meetings “ because they don ’ t care about us until we stand up.
” A diverse crowd of more than 100 people spent four hours listening to presenters speak their minds about racial injustice on a hot and sunny day in downtown Oakland .
The rally was organized by Bay Area Community Services , which offered free water bottles to those in attendance .
Taqueria Los Pericos , of San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free burritos to demonstrators .

The father of Oscar Grant III, whose death at the hands of a transit police officer in 2009 sparked widespread protests and led to police oversight reforms at a Bay Area public transit agency, told a crowd of protesters in downtown Oakland Wednesday to keep fighting for justice.
SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — The father of Oscar Grant III, whose death at the hands of a transit police officer in 2009 sparked widespread protests and led to police oversight reforms at a Bay Area public transit agency, told a crowd of protesters in downtown Oakland Wednesday to keep fighting for justice.
“I want to thank you for pushing the issues and standing up for what’s right,” Oscar Grant Jr. told a crowd outside Oakland City Hall on Wednesday afternoon.
Grant Jr. was convicted and imprisoned in 1985 for the murder of Anthony Epps, 24, in East Oakland. He told the San Francisco Bay View newspaper in 2013 that the shooting resulted from a drug deal gone bad. He said a rival gang paid witnesses to testify against him, securing a false murder conviction.
Grant Jr. served more than 30 years in prison for what he maintains was a false murder conviction. Meanwhile, the officer that shot his son was released in 2011 after serving half of a two-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter.
“I’m going to continue struggling and fighting,” Grant Jr. said in brief comments to the crowd. “I’m going to make sure they pay for it.”
JR Vallrey of East Oakland also addressed the crowd Wednesday, telling demonstrators that he doesn’t like the phrase “Black Lives Matter.” That has become the slogan for a movement against the well documented tendency of law enforcement to target people of color with violence and deadly force.
“Black lives always mattered,” Vallrey said. “I don’t need a validation of that.”
The 42-year-old black man equally dislikes the terms “good protesters” and “bad protesters.” Whether opponents of racial injustice are “handing out lollipops that say ‘Fuck the police’” or throwing rocks, they are all “soldiers on the battlefield,” he said.
After delivering those comments, Vallrey explained in a brief interview why he disagrees with those who criticize protesters who break windows or insist that property destruction is counterproductive to the goals of fighting systemic racism.
“Violence doesn’t happen against unliving things,” he said. “To equate the destruction of a building or window with a life, you can’t equate the two. You can replace a window. You can’t replace somebody’s life.”
Vallrey believes the resistance must fight on many different levels. He is not married to one particular tactic, but he is married to the objective of ending racist oppression.
“If passive means don’t achieve the objective, then more radical means become necessary because we are not accepting no on our survival and wellbeing,” he said.
Peaceful demonstrators gathered outside of Oakland City Hall at a rally against racial injustice and police brutality on Wednesday. (Courthouse News photo/Nicholas Iovino)
Also addressing the crowd Wednesday was Markos Gonzalez, a 32-year-old Oakland resident. Gonzalez recalled feeling powerless when he watched the disturbing video of a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on George Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, knowing he could do nothing to stop it. He later realized that people lifting their voices against injustice are powerful, he said.
“As long as you have a voice, you’re not powerless,” Gonzalez cried.
Succatti Shaw, a 46-year-old black mother, said what upsets her most is having to train her son on what to do when he walks outside, knowing he must follow a different protocol to avoid being harmed by police because of his skin color.
“Some people say ‘Bad things happen,’” Shaw said. “Bad things don’t happen. Racist things happen.”
Shaw urged people to vote and to research candidates and ballot measures before they vote. She said not voting helps enable police unions to maintain their grip on power over government officials and policies.
“If you didn’t vote, you were a key factor in George Floyd being murdered,” Shaw said.
Glancing at all the faces in the crowd, Shaw said she expects to see each and every one of them at City Council meetings and County Board of Supervisors meetings “because they don’t care about us until we stand up.”
A diverse crowd of more than 100 people spent four hours listening to presenters speak their minds about racial injustice on a hot and sunny day in downtown Oakland. The rally was organized by Bay Area Community Services, which offered free water bottles to those in attendance. Taqueria Los Pericos, of San Leandro, also gave out hundreds of free burritos to demonstrators.


Qualified Immunity

SAN FRANCISCO — The Ninth Circuit reversed a ruling that had been granted in favor of the City of Hayward @ @ @ @ @ police officer sued for excessive force by the brother of a car passenger who was @ @ @ @ @ officer is not entitled to qualified immunity for shooting at a person in a fleeing @ @ @ @ @ pose a danger to them or the public .
”


courthousenews--2020-06-10--California Vineyard Drops Lawsuit After State Issues Reopening Guidelines

OAKLAND , Calif. ( CN ) – Prominent Napa winery Caymus Vineyards has dropped its federal lawsuit claiming it was unfairly excluded from reopening following Governor Gavin Newsom ’ s Monday announcement that all tasting rooms across California can resume service even if they do not serve food .
The renowned vintner ’ s complaint from May 28 names Newsom and state Public Health Officer Sonia Angell .
Caymus Vineyards ’ notice of voluntary dismissal was filed Wednesday in federal court .
It noted that state officials had not even responded to the lawsuit , which challenged a May 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , craft distilleries and wineries to remain closed if they do not offer sit-down dining .
Its lawsuit said this mandate was unjust since a Napa County ordinance prohibits all Napa wineries from serving food .
Meanwhile , tasting rooms in Oregon were allowed to reopen if they adhered to public health guidelines .
Wineries in neighboring Sonoma County were also allowed to reopen because they can offer sit-down meals .
The lawsuit claimed the winery was suffering irreparable harm because of the forced closure , which it deemed an unconstitutional regulatory taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Caymus has suffered significant economic losses related to the ordered closure of its tasting room .
Those losses increase each day and continue to rise as the summer approaches .
And Caymus has incurred non-pecuniary damages as other wineries are permitted to reopen while uncertainty and confusion impact Caymus ’ operations and industry and consumer reputation , ” its complaint said .
On June 5 , Newsom and the California Department of Public Health released guidelines for counties to begin reopening tasting rooms statewide .
It guidelines waive the food requirement , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , offering a clean glass for each tasting and discontinuing tours made up of people from different households .
Under the guidance , full tasting service can resume as early as June 12 .
A woman who answered the phone at the Caymus administrative office said the winery had no comment .
“ Caymus is pleased that the Governor revised state health orders to allow the reopening of all winery tasting rooms , not only ones that serve food .
Caymus welcomes the Governor ’ s decision allowing it , and other Napa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Caymus ’ attorney Philip Miller with Coblentz , Patch , Duffy & Bass LLP said in an email to Courthouse News .
“ Having achieved its goal of ensuring that California wineries are treated equally in re-opening their businesses , Caymus sees no need to continue the litigation .
”

Prominent Napa winery Caymus Vineyards has dropped its federal lawsuit claiming it was unfairly excluded from reopening following Governor Gavin Newsom’s Monday announcement that all tasting rooms across California can resume service even if they do not serve food.
OAKLAND, Calif. (CN) — Prominent Napa winery Caymus Vineyards has dropped its federal lawsuit claiming it was unfairly excluded from reopening following Governor Gavin Newsom’s Monday announcement that all tasting rooms across California can resume service even if they do not serve food.
The renowned vintner’s complaint from May 28 names Newsom and state Public Health Officer Sonia Angell.
Caymus Vineyards’ notice of voluntary dismissal was filed Wednesday in federal court. It noted that state officials had not even responded to the lawsuit, which challenged a May 12 order requiring restaurants, brewpubs, bars, craft distilleries and wineries to remain closed if they do not offer sit-down dining. Its lawsuit said this mandate was unjust since a Napa County ordinance prohibits all Napa wineries from serving food.
Meanwhile, tasting rooms in Oregon were allowed to reopen if they adhered to public health guidelines. Wineries in neighboring Sonoma County were also allowed to reopen because they can offer sit-down meals.
The lawsuit claimed the winery was suffering irreparable harm because of the forced closure, which it deemed an unconstitutional regulatory taking by the government without due process.
“Caymus has suffered significant economic losses related to the ordered closure of its tasting room. Those losses increase each day and continue to rise as the summer approaches. And Caymus has incurred non-pecuniary damages as other wineries are permitted to reopen while uncertainty and confusion impact Caymus’ operations and industry and consumer reputation,” its complaint said.
On June 5, Newsom and the California Department of Public Health released guidelines for counties to begin reopening tasting rooms statewide. It guidelines waive the food requirement, but recommend dispensing with communal spit buckets, offering a clean glass for each tasting and discontinuing tours made up of people from different households. Under the guidance, full tasting service can resume as early as June 12.
A woman who answered the phone at the Caymus administrative office said the winery had no comment.
"Caymus is pleased that the Governor revised state health orders to allow the reopening of all winery tasting rooms, not only ones that serve food. Caymus welcomes the Governor’s decision allowing it, and other Napa wineries, to serve our guests safely,” Caymus’ attorney Philip Miller with Coblentz Patch said in an email.
"Having achieved its goal of ensuring that California wineries are treated equally in reopening their businesses, Caymus sees no need to continue the litigation."


Top Eight

Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News Top eight CNS stories for today including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin predicted that the economy is poised to rebound with gusto ; Former Justice Department officials are calling for an internal investigation into Attorney General William Barr ’ s role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House ; Swedish prosecutors said they did not uncover a wide-ranging political conspiracy behind the 1986 killing of popular socialist Prime Minister Olof Palme , and more .
Sign up for CNS Top Eight , a roundup of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your email Monday through Friday .
1 . )
Telling senators that the federal lending program for small businesses facing coronavirus-related financial difficulty has overcome an admittedly shaky rollout , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin predicted Wednesday that the economy is poised to rebound with gusto .
2 . )
Nearly 1,300 former Justice Department officials are calling for an internal investigation into Attorney General William Barr ’ s role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House last week .
3 . )
While more sectors of the U.S. economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say they ’ re not raring to go back to their regular routines due to the novel coronavirus , according to poll results released Wednesday .
4 . )
The retired judge appointed by the court to oppose the government in its bid to dismiss the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn filed his argument Wednesday , staunchly defying what he called “ highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the president.
” 5 . )
Sowing chaos and intimidation throughout New York ’ s judicial system , Immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arresting people in state courthouses is illegal , a federal judge ruled Wednesday .
6 . )
Reviving a lawsuit against West Virginia police officers in the case of a black man shot 22 times , a Fourth Circuit panel denounced excessive force in its ruling : “ This has to stop.
” 7 . )
Here ’ s an unsettling possibility : The deadly coronavirus infecting millions of people around the planet may turn out to mark the onset of an age in which a natural world under siege from human activities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ever-more-globalized bloodstream .
8 . )
In the end , after 34 years of investigations into the assassination of popular socialist Prime Minister Olof Palme , Swedish prosecutors on Wednesday said they did not uncover a wide-ranging political conspiracy behind his killing .

Top eight CNS stories for today including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin predicted that the economy is poised to rebound with gusto; Former Justice Department officials are calling for an internal investigation into Attorney General William Barr’s role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House; Swedish prosecutors said they did not uncover a wide-ranging political conspiracy behind the 1986 killing of popular socialist Prime Minister Olof Palme, and more.
Your Wednesday night briefing from the staff of Courthouse News
Top eight CNS stories for today including Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin predicted that the economy is poised to rebound with gusto; Former Justice Department officials are calling for an internal investigation into Attorney General William Barr’s role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House; Swedish prosecutors said they did not uncover a wide-ranging political conspiracy behind the 1986 killing of popular socialist Prime Minister Olof Palme, and more.
Sign up for CNS Top Eight, a roundup of the day’s top stories delivered directly to your email Monday through Friday.
National
1.) Telling senators that the federal lending program for small businesses facing coronavirus-related financial difficulty has overcome an admittedly shaky rollout, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin predicted Wednesday that the economy is poised to rebound with gusto.
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin speaks during a meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Monday, May 18, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
2.) Nearly 1,300 former Justice Department officials are calling for an internal investigation into Attorney General William Barr’s role in the violent clearing of peaceful protesters outside the White House last week.
President Donald Trump holds a Bible as he visits outside St. John's Church across Lafayette Park from the White House on June 1, 2020, in Washington. Park of the church was set on fire during protests the night prior. (Patrick Semansky/AP)
3.) While more sectors of the U.S. economy are reopening this summer, some people say they’re not raring to go back to their regular routines due to the novel coronavirus, according to poll results released Wednesday.
A commuters walks on a nearly empty subway platform in New York, Monday, June 8, 2020. After three months of a coronavirus crisis followed by protests and unrest, New York City is trying to turn a page when a limited range of industries reopen Monday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
4.) The retired judge appointed by the court to oppose the government in its bid to dismiss the prosecution of former national security adviser Michael Flynn filed his argument Wednesday, staunchly defying what he called “highly irregular conduct to benefit a political ally of the president.”
FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2019 file photo, Michael Flynn, President Donald Trump's former national security adviser, leaves the federal court following a status conference in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Regional
5.) Sowing chaos and intimidation throughout New York’s judicial system, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s policy of arresting people in state courthouses is illegal, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
The New York County Courthouse in Manhattan is at 60 Centre Street. (Courthouse News photo/Adam Klasfeld)
6.) Reviving a lawsuit against West Virginia police officers in the case of a black man shot 22 times, a Fourth Circuit panel denounced excessive force in its ruling: “This has to stop.”
A March 2018 vigil held in Martinsburg, W.Va., remembering Wayne Jones, who was shot 22 times by local police in 2013. (Photo via Martinsburg-Berkeley County NAACP/Facebook)
International
7.) Here’s an unsettling possibility: The deadly coronavirus infecting millions of people around the planet may turn out to mark the onset of an age in which a natural world under siege from human activities injects more new diseases into humanity’s ever-more-globalized bloodstream.
Forensic investigators look at the body of a man infected with the new coronavirus who collapsed on the street and died, according to Police Captain Diego Lopez, in Quito, Ecuador, Tuesday, May 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
8.) In the end, after 34 years of investigations into the assassination of popular socialist Prime Minister Olof Palme, Swedish prosecutors on Wednesday said they did not uncover a wide-ranging political conspiracy behind his killing.


courthousenews--2020-06-10--Further Secrets of Planet Creation Uncovered

( CN ) — British scientists have revealed how the recently discovered planet forming disks , coined with the name Peter Pan disks for their longevity , come to be formed , furthering our understanding of how planets are created .
Protoplanetary disks are massive planet-forming disks of gas and dust that are found circling protostars following the collapse of a molecular cloud .
The materials expelled from this collapse begin to rotate and move inwards towards the protostar resulting in the characteristic disk shape .
In a study published Wednesday in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London conducted a series of computer simulations to investigate how these disks evolve over time .
The simulations took various starting configurations in which the disks would begin to reveal what they called “ Neverland ’ s parameters , ” which are the conditions needed for a Peter Pan disk to form .
The findings showed that they need significantly more space to form than normal disks , resulting in them forming far away from other stars in more secluded environments .
In 2016 a NASA project yielded the discovery of the oldest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists responsible for the find settled on the name Peter Pan disks because , much like the beloved fictional character , these formations “ never grow up ” and can live 5-10 times longer than the average protoplanetary disk .
Since the discovery , however , these Peter Pan disks remain a mystery in many ways , as astronomers have been searching for answers about how they allow planets to form and why they are able to live for so long .
“ Most stars form in big groups containing around 100,000 stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discs can ’ t form in these environments .
They need to be much more isolated from their stellar neighbours as the radiation from other stars would blow these discs away , ” Gavin Coleman , first author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary .
“ They also need to start out massive , so they have more gas to lose and are therefore able to live for much longer.
” It was previously believed that all disks have a life expectancy of a few million years , now disproved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They were said to dissipate within 10 million years at most , which in turn led scientists to believe that the planets within them have a relatively small window to form completely .
The emergence of this new evidence reveals that Peter Pan disks can live up to ten times longer in planet formation .
“ The existence of these long-lived discs was really surprising , and finding out why these discs can survive longer than expected could be critical for helping us understand more about disc evolution and planet formation in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow at Queen Mary .
Additionally , these gas-rich disks have only been discovered so far around stars with lower masses , leading scientists to conclude that the disks around M-dwarfs take much longer to dissipate than around high-mass stars .
It also suggests that around these stars , planets take much longer to form than previously thought .
“ A particularly interesting point is that Peter Pan discs have so far only been found around low mass stars , and these low mass stars are generally being found to host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The large disc masses that we need to end up with Peter Pan discs could be an important ingredient that allows these planets to exist.
” The results of this study suggest that these Peter Pan disks are a rare occurrence due to their specific requirements for formation .
Furthermore , seven of these disks have been discovered thus far , indicating that this isn ’ t just an outlying event but rather a new class of disks .
These disks have all been discovered due to the efforts of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , led by citizen scientists in collaboration with NASA and Zooniverse .
Moving forward , the next step for this study will be to characterize the known Peter Pan disks and search for more .
The authors have been granted use of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory to observe X-ray fluxes , which will allow them to see how quickly the star ’ s energy will evaporate the surrounding disk material .
They will also be following up with the Magellan Telescope in Chile this coming June .
“ It ’ s great that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now fueling novel scientific research into these unique discs , and could even help us to better understand planet formation , one of the key problems in astrophysics , ” said Coleman .

British scientists have revealed how the recently discovered planet forming disks, coined with the name Peter Pan disks for their longevity, come to be formed, furthering our understanding of how planets are created.
Artist’s concept of a Peter Pan disk. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Holden/NASA).
(CN) — British scientists have revealed how the recently discovered planet forming disks, coined with the name Peter Pan disks for their longevity, come to be formed, furthering our understanding of how planets are created.
Protoplanetary disks are massive planet-forming disks of gas and dust that are found circling protostars following the collapse of a molecular cloud. The materials expelled from this collapse begin to rotate and move inwards towards the protostar resulting in the characteristic disk shape.
In a study published Wednesday in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, scientists from Queen Mary University of London conducted a series of computer simulations to investigate how these disks evolve over time.
The simulations took various starting configurations in which the disks would begin to reveal what they called “Neverland’s parameters,” which are the conditions needed for a Peter Pan disk to form. The findings showed that they need significantly more space to form than normal disks, resulting in them forming far away from other stars in more secluded environments.
In 2016 a NASA project yielded the discovery of the oldest known disk to date. The citizen scientists responsible for the find settled on the name Peter Pan disks because, much like the beloved fictional character, these formations “never grow up” and can live 5-10 times longer than the average protoplanetary disk.
Since the discovery, however, these Peter Pan disks remain a mystery in many ways, as astronomers have been searching for answers about how they allow planets to form and why they are able to live for so long.
"Most stars form in big groups containing around 100,000 stars, however it seems that Peter Pan discs can't form in these environments. They need to be much more isolated from their stellar neighbours as the radiation from other stars would blow these discs away,” Gavin Coleman, first author of the study and postdoctoral researcher at Queen Mary. “They also need to start out massive, so they have more gas to lose and are therefore able to live for much longer."
It was previously believed that all disks have a life expectancy of a few million years, now disproved by the existence of Peter Pan disks. They were said to dissipate within 10 million years at most, which in turn led scientists to believe that the planets within them have a relatively small window to form completely. The emergence of this new evidence reveals that Peter Pan disks can live up to ten times longer in planet formation.
"The existence of these long-lived discs was really surprising, and finding out why these discs can survive longer than expected could be critical for helping us understand more about disc evolution and planet formation in general,” Thomas Haworth, a Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow at Queen Mary.
Additionally, these gas-rich disks have only been discovered so far around stars with lower masses, leading scientists to conclude that the disks around M-dwarfs take much longer to dissipate than around high-mass stars. It also suggests that around these stars, planets take much longer to form than previously thought.
“A particularly interesting point is that Peter Pan discs have so far only been found around low mass stars, and these low mass stars are generally being found to host lots of planets,” Haworth continued. “The large disc masses that we need to end up with Peter Pan discs could be an important ingredient that allows these planets to exist."
The results of this study suggest that these Peter Pan disks are a rare occurrence due to their specific requirements for formation. Furthermore, seven of these disks have been discovered thus far, indicating that this isn’t just an outlying event but rather a new class of disks.
These disks have all been discovered due to the efforts of a research endeavor called the Disk Detective Project, led by citizen scientists in collaboration with NASA and Zooniverse. Moving forward, the next step for this study will be to characterize the known Peter Pan disks and search for more.
The authors have been granted use of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory to observe X-ray fluxes, which will allow them to see how quickly the star’s energy will evaporate the surrounding disk material. They will also be following up with the Magellan Telescope in Chile this coming June.
"It's great that the findings of a citizen science project are now fueling novel scientific research into these unique discs, and could even help us to better understand planet formation, one of the key problems in astrophysics," said Coleman.


courthousenews--2020-06-10--Ousted State Watchdog Says He Was Fired for ‘No Valid Reason’

When he was fired shortly before 8 p.m. on a Friday night , Steve Linick was simply told that President Trump “ had decided to exercise his power to remove you.
” WASHINGTON ( CN ) — In a transcript released Wednesday , a State Department watchdog ousted amid probes into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ’ s alleged misuse of agency funds told Congress he has not seen a good reason for his removal .
“ Well , I ’ m not going to speculate , and I ’ m going to leave that conclusion to all of you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding , but I can tell you though that I ’ ve been given no valid reason that would justify my removal , ” outgoing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick told lawmakers in an interview conducted last week .
“ And the explanations I ’ ve heard so far in the press are either unfounded or misplaced.
” The House Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Reform Committees , as well as two subcommittees and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , released a 251-page transcript on Wednesday of an interview with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 15 , citing a lack of confidence .
At the time of his firing , Linick ’ s office was investigating the Trump administration ’ s sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia , as well as allegations that Pompeo used department staff to carry out personal errands .
Linick told lawmakers last week his office had requested an interview with Pompeo as part of the Saudi arms review and that Pompeo had delivered responses to questions in writing .
The office had also asked for documents concerning the allegations that Pompeo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the committees .
At a press conference Wednesday morning , Pompeo said he had not reviewed the transcript the committees released , but called Linick a “ bad actor.
” “ As I ’ ve said before , my mistake was letting Mr. Linick stay here as long as he did , ” Pompeo told reporters when asked about the fired watchdog .
“ He continued to undermine what it is the State Department ’ s mission is aimed at achieving.
” Appointed to the position in 2013 by President Barack Obama , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staffers at the State Department did not seem to understand the role of inspectors general , the independent watchdogs that probe misconduct at federal agencies .
Linick specifically accused Undersecretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao of attempting to “ bully ” him , particularly over a leak investigation concerning an inspector general report on political retaliation in the State Department .
Liz Hempowicz , director of public policy with the Project on Government Oversight , said Linick ’ s testimony was not necessarily surprising , but does raise red flags about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general .
“ Any time we see instances like this where an inspector general is saying that he was being bullied by political leadership at an agency into doing a job that was more flattering of the administration , it should raise real concerns for anybody who cares about independent oversight and accountability of the federal government , ” Hempowicz said in an interview .
When he was fired shortly before 8 p.m. on a Friday night , Linick said Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun simply told him that Trump “ had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you.
” When Linick pressed for more information , Biegun repeated the phrase , according to the transcript .
Linick is part of a line of inspectors general Trump has removed while in office .
Linick told the committees he has heard people within the inspector general community “ express some fear ” as Trump ousts more of the independent watchdogs .
Donald Sherman , deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington , said while it is normal for relationships between agency officials and inspectors general to be contentious at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deeper opposition to the independent watchdogs that seems to permeate the Trump administration .
“ It sort of sheds light on what is a pattern and practice of hostility to independent oversight from the president to the secretary of state on down to Mr. Bulatao , ” Sherman said in an interview .
A spokesman for Senator Chuck Grassley , an Iowa Republican who has been critical of Trump ’ s conduct toward inspectors general , said Grassley ’ s office is “ still in the fact finding phase.
” Grassley has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch nominees until he gets an explanation from the White House on the firings of Linick and Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson .
“ The White House knows that it needs to provide written explanations to Congress , and we are making progress on that , ” Grassley spokesman George Hartmann said in an email .

In a transcript released Wednesday, a State Department watchdog ousted amid probes into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s alleged misuse of agency funds told Congress he has not seen a good reason for his removal.
WASHINGTON (CN) — In a transcript released Wednesday, a State Department watchdog ousted amid probes into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s alleged misuse of agency funds told Congress he has not seen a good reason for his removal.
“Well, I’m not going to speculate, and I’m going to leave that conclusion to all of you since you’re doing the fact finding, but I can tell you though that I’ve been given no valid reason that would justify my removal,” outgoing State Department Inspector General Steve Linick told lawmakers in an interview conducted last week. “And the explanations I’ve heard so far in the press are either unfounded or misplaced.”
The House Foreign Affairs and Oversight and Reform Committees, as well as two subcommittees and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a 251-page transcript on Wednesday of an interview with Linick, whom President Donald Trump fired on May 15, citing a lack of confidence.
At the time of his firing, Linick’s office was investigating the Trump administration’s sale of weapons to Saudi Arabia, as well as allegations that Pompeo used department staff to carry out personal errands. Linick told lawmakers last week his office had requested an interview with Pompeo as part of the Saudi arms review and that Pompeo had delivered responses to questions in writing.
The office had also asked for documents concerning the allegations that Pompeo had misused agency funds, Linick told the committees.
At a press conference Wednesday morning, Pompeo said he had not reviewed the transcript the committees released, but called Linick a “bad actor.”
“As I’ve said before, my mistake was letting Mr. Linick stay here as long as he did,” Pompeo told reporters when asked about the fired watchdog. “He continued to undermine what it is the State Department’s mission is aimed at achieving.”
Appointed to the position in 2013 by President Barack Obama, Linick told lawmakers last week that senior staffers at the State Department did not seem to understand the role of inspectors general, the independent watchdogs that probe misconduct at federal agencies.
Linick specifically accused Undersecretary of State for Management Brian Bulatao of attempting to “bully” him, particularly over a leak investigation concerning an inspector general report on political retaliation in the State Department.
Liz Hempowicz, director of public policy with the Project on Government Oversight, said Linick’s testimony was not necessarily surprising, but does raise red flags about how officials in the Trump administration view inspectors general.
“Any time we see instances like this where an inspector general is saying that he was being bullied by political leadership at an agency into doing a job that was more flattering of the administration, it should raise real concerns for anybody who cares about independent oversight and accountability of the federal government,” Hempowicz said in an interview.
When he was fired shortly before 8 p.m. on a Friday night, Linick said Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun simply told him that Trump “had decided to exercise his power to remove you.” When Linick pressed for more information, Biegun repeated the phrase, according to the transcript.
Graphic profiles inspectors general removed by Trump;
Linick is part of a line of inspectors general Trump has removed while in office. Linick told the committees he has heard people within the inspector general community “express some fear” as Trump ousts more of the independent watchdogs.
Donald Sherman, deputy director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, said while it is normal for relationships between agency officials and inspectors general to be contentious at times, Linick’s interview reveals a deeper opposition to the independent watchdogs that seems to permeate the Trump administration.
“It sort of sheds light on what is a pattern and practice of hostility to independent oversight from the president to the secretary of state on down to Mr. Bulatao,” Sherman said in an interview.
A spokesman for Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican who has been critical of Trump’s conduct toward inspectors general, said Grassley’s office is “still in the fact finding phase.” Grassley has placed a hold on two Trump executive branch nominees until he gets an explanation from the White House on the firings of Linick and Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson.
“The White House knows that it needs to provide written explanations to Congress, and we are making progress on that,” Grassley spokesman George Hartmann said in an email.