Legal Report Resources October 2016
Discrimination. IFCO Systems will pay $202,200 and other relief to settle one of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s first lawsuits alleging sex discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Terrorism. Russia’s State Duma passed legislation that introduces a prison sentence of up to one year for failing to report a terrorist act or armed mutiny in the planning stages. The legislation, called the Yarovaya Law, creates several new measures to combat terrorism, including making it a criminal offense for failing to report a terrorist attack or armed rebellion.
Corruption. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling will make it more difficult for federal prosecutors to prove charges of public corruption against elected officials. In McDonnell v. United States, the Court nullified a lower court’s guilty conviction and two-year prison sentence of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, who—along with his wife, Maureen—was indicted on honest services fraud and Hobbs Act extortion charges for accepting $175,000 in loans, gifts, and benefits from Virginia businessman Jonnie Williams while McDonnell was in office.
Discrimination. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Republic of El Salvador to create a formal partnership to protect U.S. workers from El Salvador from discrimination based on citizenship, immigration status, and national origin.
Fraud. President Barack Obama signed into law a bill that requires the federal government to reduce fraud through agency actions. The law (P.L. 114-186) requires the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to create guidelines for federal agencies to establish financial and administrative controls to identify and assess fraud risks.
Terrorism. The U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a bill that encouraged banks to tip off federal investigators about terrorism financing. The bill (H.R. 5606) enhanced Section 314 of the Patriot Act, which encourages financial institutions and the federal government to share information about transactions connected to terrorism.
Discrimination. FAPS, Inc., will pay $350,000 to settle a race discrimination lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC charged that FAPS engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination against African-Americans in its recruiting and hiring processes.
Use of force. Berrien County Georgia Sheriff Anthony Heath pleaded guilty to using excessive force against two non-resistant arrestees, violating their civil rights.
