Sex allegations that have roiled Congress take down judge

The sexual misconduct allegations that have cut a swath through Congress brought down a prominent member of the judicial branch Monday with the resignation of Alex Kozinski, a federal appeals court judge known for his blunt and colorful legal opinions. Kozinski, a 67-year-old member and former chief judge of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the nation's largest federal appeals court, said in a statement that a battle over the accusations would not be good for the judiciary.

Judge retires over sexual misconduct allegations

Alex Kozinski, the powerful judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit who was facing a judicial investigation over allegations that he subjected women to inappropriate sexual behavior, announced Monday that he would retire effective immediately. In a statement provided by his lawyer, Kozinski apologized, saying that he "had a broad sense of humor and a candid way of speaking to both male and female law clerks alike" and that, "in doing so, I may not have been mindful enough of the special challenges and pressures that women face in the workplace."

Kozinski to Retire Amid Another #MeToo Scandal

The first major judge caught up in the #MeToo phenomenon was Alex Kozinski, a well-known Ninth Circuit judge with strong libertarian leanings. The Washington Post published a story about alleged inappropriate behavior with women, and followed it up with another story that brought the total number of accusers to in excess of a dozen women.

US federal court considers children’s climate change lawsuit against government

A three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments from attorneys for the 21 young people A federal appeals court is weighing in on an unusual lawsuit by a group of young people who say Donald Trump's administration is violating their constitutional rights by failing to address climate change. A three-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments on Monday from attorneys for the administration and the 21 young people, who range in age from 10 to 21 years old.

How killing Net Neutrality will affect enterprise mobility

Efforts to dismantle net neutrality will likely effect enterprises and the way they do business, from how mobile apps are designed to where companies choose to store data commonly accessed on mobile devices. The Federal Communications Commission intends to vote this Thursday to repeal net neutrality rules the Obama administration implemented to ensure internet service providers treat all data the same.

Tillerson Criticizes Saudi Arabia, Citing Its Policies in Yemen and…

Prominent appeals court Judge Alex Kozinski accused of sexual misconduct - Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, pictured in 2003. Six women - all former clerks or externs in the 9th Circuit - alleged to The Washington Post in recent weeks that Kozinski Female aides fretted Franks wanted to have sex to impregnate them - Arizona Rep. Trent Franks allegedly made unwanted advances toward female staffers in his office and retaliated against one who rebuffed him, according to House GOP sources with knowledge of a complaint against him.

Consumer Groups Ask Ninth Circuit to Block FCC Broadband Order Downgrading Rural America

Today, Public Knowledge, joined by The Greenlining Institute, The Utility Reform Network, and National Association of State Utility Advocates, filed a Petition for Review with the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The petition asks the court to reverse and vacate the Federal Communications Commission's November Order rolling back the agency's consumer protections for Americans on legacy copper phone lines.

Trump travel ban to be heard by federal appeals court

Thirteen judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will be asked to decide if the ban violates the constitution by discriminating against Muslims, as opponents say, or is necessary to protect national security, as the Trump administration says. The hearing scheduled Friday comes four days after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration can fully enforce the ban even as the separate challenges continue before the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th Circuit and the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit appeals courts.

US asks Supreme Court to block order requiring production of documents on DACA wind-down

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block a federal judge's order to turn over additional documents regarding the government's wind-down of a program protecting immigrants brought to the country illegally as children. The Justice Department is asking the high court to stay the order by U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup of San Francisco and issue a writ of mandamus overturning his decision, the Washington Post , SCOTUSblog , BuzzFeed News and Politico report.

Mulvaney Can Lead Consumer Watchdog, But the Legal Battle Over the…

When the Trump administration's actions are challenged in court, it's not uncommon to see judges put a stop to its behavior. President Trump tends to respond with troubling attacks on the judicial branch, such as dismissing the decision of the "so-called judge," or declaring that he wants to break up the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Harry Pregerson, senior federal appeals court judge, dies

Actress Maria Conchita Alonso and Judge Harry Pregerson of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals attend the swearing in of Maria Conchita Alonso as a US Citizen on August 18, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. FILE - Actress Maria Conchita Alonso and Judge Harry Pregerson of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals attend the swearing in of Maria Conchita Alonso as a US Citizen on August 18, 2007 in Beverly Hills, FILE - A-Lee D'Orlando, left, is congratulated by Judge Harry Pregerson after D'Orlando spoke at dedication of new Haven program wing at the West L.A. Veterans center in Westwood in 1996.

Judge: Lawsuit challenging Keystone pipeline can continue

U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls, Montana, dismissed U.S. Justice Department arguments that the court had no authority to second-guess the cross-border permit that was issued by the State Department. Conservation groups and Native American organizations contend in the lawsuit that an environmental review of the project completed in 2014 was inadequate.

Judge permanently blocks Trump sanctuary cities order

A federal judge on Monday permanently blocked President Donald Trump's executive order to cut funding from cities that limit co-operation with U.S. immigration authorities. U.S. District Court Judge William Orrick rejected the administration's argument that the executive order applies only to a relatively small pot of money and said Trump cannot set new conditions on spending approved by Congress.

Long battle between Boulder City and resident back in court

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today ordered the federal District Court in Las Vegas to take another look at a long battle between Boulder City and at least one of its residents. The legal fight started in 2006, when residents presented initiative petitions to bar the City Council from spending more than $1 million without voter approval, to require the city to operate only one golf course and not subsidize two others, and to limit appointees to boards and commissions from to serving no longer than 12 years.