January 2, 2017

Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station Could Soon be Closed or Sold by FirstEnergy

USA Today reports that the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station might soon be shuttered or sold by FirstEnergy Corp.

FirstEnergy CEO Chuck Jones said in an industry conference that due to cheap energy sources like natural gas, and the state of Ohio's unwillingness to set energy prices above market rate, operating some power plants is no longer profitable. Davis-Besse is one of several plant in Ohio and Pennsylvania potentially on the chopping block.

If Davis-Besse were to be closed, not sold, the 624 employees who work there (making an average of $86,000 per year) would be out of job. Thousands of contractors and other workers who work at the site every year would also lose a major client.

Even more "devastating," though, would be the loss in tax revenue to Ottawa County, located in between Sandusky and Toledo. Davis-Besse generated more than $10 million in property and utility tax income in 2015, according to the report.

Read more: http://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/12/29/davis-besse-nuclear-power-station-could-soon-be-closed-or-sold-by-firstenergy

January 1, 2017

Attorney made millions off disability claims; former clients on the brink after government yanks fun

MINNIE -- Donna Dye saw the coal truck come barreling over the horizon and her head started spinning with that familiar, desperate urge to end it all.

She thought of the disconnect notices, the engagement ring she pawned to keep the lights on, the house she loved and would probably lose. Life insurance was the only bill that was up to date; this way, she thought, it might look like an accident.

Months had passed since the letter arrived from the Social Security Administration. “We are suspending your disability benefits,” it had said.

She thought of her husband, a proud man with a body broken from 26 years mining coal, and the fights over money they never had — until now. “Fraud,” the agency had written, and the humiliation consumed them.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/article123600329.html

January 1, 2017

Longtime 'Cornbread Mafia' fugitive in court

Federal agents in Louisville have chased after the alleged leader of the so-called "Cornbread Mafia" for eight years and, following his recent capture in Canada, they're pushing to get him back in the Bluegrass State.

John Robert "Johnny" Boone, a Kentucky farmer accused of directing what federal prosecutors once dubbed the largest domestic marijuana producing organization in the nation, was taken before a Canadian judge Thursday. He landed on the U.S. Marshal Service's "America's Most Wanted" list and, after a lengthy investigation to find him, was arrested last week in the Montreal area, according to the U.S. Marshals Service's website.

The 73-year-old told Canadian officials he was working in construction and living in Quebec under the assumed identity of "Dennis Ross," but he wouldn't reveal when he went to Canada or if anyone helped him hide out, according to the Montreal Gazette. Boone was polite during a hearing before an Immigration and Refugee Board in Montreal, claiming he isn't dangerous and crossed the border to help “the people of Canada and do good works,” the Gazette reported.

But Anthony Lashley, a lawyer for the Canada Border Services Agency, argued before board commissioner Dianne Tordorf that Boone presents too much of a flight risk to be released from prison, according to the Canadian newspaper.

Read more: http://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/12/30/longtime-cornbread-mafia-fugitive-court/96009220/

January 1, 2017

Mississippi lawmakers vague on tax proposals for 2017

JACKSON - Mississippi’s Republican-led Legislature and GOP Gov. Phil Bryant enacted a substantial package of tax cuts during their 2016 session, with reductions phased in over several years. But leaders are vague about whether they will propose other tax changes during the three-month 2017 session that begins Jan. 3.

“I wouldn’t expect any major overhaul,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Joey Fillingane, R-Sumrall.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jeff Smith, R-Columbus, said he and other House leaders are evaluating “several small areas of tinkering with taxes,” such as perhaps taxing professional services that are currently exempt.

“The honest truth is we haven’t made any decisions,” Smith said.

Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/27/ms-lawmakers-vague-tax-proposals/95895076/

January 1, 2017

Judge takes stand in Hinds County DA Smith's case

Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill testified Friday in the trial of District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith that he went to the attorney general's office about week before Smith's initial arrest to report what he considered illegal activity by Smith.

It's a rare occurrence for a sitting judge to testify in a criminal case. Weill was called as a witness by Smith's defense to try to bolster his argument that attorneys in the AG's office and Weill conspired against him. Assistant Attorney General Stanley Alexander ran against Smith in the last election.

Also, some attorneys in the AG's office are former employees of the Hinds County District Attorney's office.

Smith is accused of conspiring to hinder defendant Christopher Butler's prosecution in four different Hinds County Circuit Court cases. The state also alleges in its misdemeanor charge that Smith aided Butler in several ways, including visiting Butler in jail without his attorney present.

Read more: http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/12/30/judge-takes-stand-da-smiths-case/96002064/

January 1, 2017

Lawmakers still want more access to driver's license offices in rural areas

MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s agreement to expand the hours of Black Belt driver’s license offices doesn’t apply to Lawrence or Franklin counties, but some area lawmakers say they’ll continue to push for broader access.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week it reached an agreement with ALEA to extend driver’s license office availability in several Black Belt counties.

Citing budget concerns in late 2015, ALEA closed 31 part-time offices with low traffic numbers, including the offices in Lawrence and Franklin counties. That also included eight of the state’s 11 predominately African-American counties. After backlash from the public, they were re-opened one day per month.

Under the new agreement with the DOT, ALEA will double or triple the hours of offices in many of the Black Belt counties, an area named for its rich, dark soil. The federal agency said its investigation revealed that African-American residents in the Black Belt were disproportionately underserved, the Associated Press reported.

Read more: http://www.timesdaily.com/news/state-capital/lawmakers-still-want-more-access-to-driver-s-license-offices/article_da6f9b6d-f4ad-59e3-865c-e3f9e0b12b81.html

January 1, 2017

Mike Hubbard appeal probably not coming before February

Lawyers for former Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard probably won't file his appeal with the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals until at least February.

The appeals court has granted additional time, until Jan. 25, for completion of the court reporter's transcript of Hubbard's trial.

Hubbard's lawyers will have 28 days after the transcript is filed with the appeals court to submit Hubbard's appeal brief.

Court of Criminal Appeals Clerk Scott Mitchell said it is commonplace for the trial judge and appeals court to grant additional time for completion of a transcript.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/12/mike_hubbard_appeal_probably_w.html

January 1, 2017

Former Alabama legislator Terry Spicer works at ABC store after bribery conviction

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A former legislator, who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from a state lobbyist, is working as a sales clerk at a state liquor store.

The Dothan Eagle reports that Terry Spicer took the job with the Alabama Beverage Control Board.

An ABC Board attorney told the newspaper that ABC Board Administrator Mac Gipson received a call from a mutual friend asking for help in finding Spicer a job.

Martin said Spicer properly disclosed his status as an ex-felon when applying.

Spicer, a former school superintendent and two-year college employee, needs another year and four months of state employment to be able to draw his $50,000 state pension.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2016/12/former_alabama_legislator_terr.html

January 1, 2017

Alabama governor's former aide Rebekah Mason asks to stay civil lawsuit amid probes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley's former political adviser has asked a judge to pause a defamation lawsuit filed by the governor's one-time body guard because of what her attorneys described as ongoing criminal and ethics probes.

In a Wednesday court filing, lawyers for Rebekah Mason asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit -- arguing the claims were meritless -- or at least stay proceedings because of the ongoing investigations.

"First and most importantly, Mrs. Mason denies each and every allegation of the complaint and contends that she has done nothing wrong, either civilly or criminally," her attorneys wrote.

The court filling cited news stories about complaints filed to the Alabama Ethics Commission and potential investigations by state and federal prosecutors. Her attorneys said Mason does not know the status or scope of the investigations, but the subjects are thought to overlap with the civil case and she would risk potential self-incrimination.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2016/12/alabama_governors_former_aide.html

January 1, 2017

Judge schedules hearing in security chief's lawsuit against Bentley

A judge will hold a February hearing in a lawsuit filed by Gov. Robert Bentley's former security officer who said his career was damaged as Bentley tried to hide a relationship with a staffer.

Ray Lewis filed the lawsuit against Bentley and Bentley's former political adviser, Rebekah Mason. Lewis, who often traveled with the governor, said he was ostracized and eventually forced out of his position because he knew about the relationship.

Montgomery Circuit Judge Truman Hobbs on Friday scheduled a Feb. 15 hearing on motions in the case, including a request by Mason to dismiss the lawsuit.

Bentley admitted making personal mistakes, but denied having a sexual affair with Mason.

Read more: http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2016/12/judge_schedules_hearing_in_ray.html