Senate to weigh punishment for member accused of misconduct

In this Jan. 3, 2018, file photo, California state Sen. Tony Mendoza, D-Artesia, announces that he will take a month-long leave of absence while an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against him are completed in Sacramento, Calif. When lawmakers return from the President's Day weekend, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2018, they will learn whether the investigation cleared Mendoza or sets him up for possible expulsion.

Trump seeks ban on gun modifications like bump stocks

President Trump signed a memorandum instructing the attorney general to regulate the use of bump stocks, effectively banning the use of the devices that can allow rifles to mimic automatic weapons. Trump made the announcement at a Medal of Valor ceremony at the White House for firefighters and police officers - some of whom had intervened in shooting incidents.

Houston Businessman Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy

A Houston, Texas, man pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit money laundering, announced Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard E. Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick for the Southern District of Texas. According to documents and information provided to the court, Marcus T. Weathersby conspired with others to facilitate the fraudulent sale of second-hand prescription medications to a Utah-based wholesale distributor.

Former Zeigler, IL treasurer will be back in court for change of plea

The former Treasurer for the city of Zeigler, Illinois who pleaded not guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and embezzlement appeared back in court on Feb. 15, 2018. Four months after federal embezzlement charges are leveled against the former treasurer in Zeigler, it looked like he would face a judge and take responsibility for the crime.

Drug smuggler dumps 1800lbs of cocaine worth A 16.5m in sea

'Drug smugglers' desperately dump 1,800 lbs of cocaine worth A 16.5m off the side of a speedboat during a high-speed chase with the US Coast Guard A Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton apprehended the smugglers as part of an operation that seized seven tons of cocaine This is the shocking moment a suspected drug smuggler dumped millions of pounds worth of cocaine in the sea during a US Coast Guard chase. A person was caught on camera dumping 1,800lbs of cocaine into the waters, with an approximate street value of A 16.5 million.

FBI sweep in NorCal nabs crime organization who sold meth, heroin on social media

Law enforcement officials including agents with the FBI stand outside a home on Rice Lane in rural Vacaville after an early morning raid at the home. Law enforcement officials confirmed that it was part of an FBI investigation that was conducted at multiple locations in Northern California.

Trump Administration Revives Support for New FBI Headquarters

President Donald Trump's administration on Monday revived its support for construction of a new FBI headquarters, saying it planned to ask Congress in 2018 for the remaining $2.175 billion needed to help pay for it. The funding request, tucked inside the president's larger $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, would help cover the cost to tear down and rebuild the Federal Bureau of Investigation's aging 1970s-era headquarters building in downtown Washington, which has nets rigged to catch falling stones.

Howe’s folly a new black eye for Bharara, legal experts say

The following is an expanded version of the third item from my "Albany Insider" column that was cut for space from Monday's print editions: The embarrassment of seeing their star witness in the trial against former long-time Gov. Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco put behind bars for violating his cooperation deal with prosecutors could be another black eye for former crusading Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara's legacy, legal and political sources say. Prosecutors had made it clear Howe's background was one of frequent lies and crimes.

Congressman says his Journalist Protection Act is needed now

Speaking on CNN's "Reliable Sources" Sunday, Representative Eric Swalwell said his bill, which was introduced last week, aims to protect "journalists in every corner of our country if they are attacked physically while doing their job." The bill, which is called the Journalist Protection Act, would make it a federal crime to cause "bodily harm" to reporters.