Vermont
Fire captain charged with firing own home
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) ? A Bennington fire department captain is facing charges he set his own home on fire last week, twice.
Bennington police allege that 41-year-old Ralph Brown set fire to his home on Friday morning and then again on Saturday night.
He was arrested Tuesday and charged with two felony arson counts. He's due in court Wednesday.
Police Chief Richard Gauthier tells the Bennington Banner Brown was trying to "generate enough money" for an undisclosed project.
Gauthier says an insurance adjuster offered $40,000 after the first fire, which Brown apparently didn't think was enough.
Police believe the first fire was started by deliberately crossed wires. The second appears to have been started with the use of an accelerant.
Indiana
No prosecutor change for ex-IU player Leary
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) ? A judge denied a request for a special prosecutor to handle charges against former Indiana University basketball player Todd Leary in connection with an ex-business partner's multimillion-dollar fraud scheme.
An Allen Superior Court judge ruled that there is no need to disqualify Allen County Prosecutor Karen Richards' entire office because her chief deputy was found to be a victim of Leary's business partner.
Prosecutors say Leary once worked for a title insurance broker who pleaded guilty to several charges in a $2.7 million real estate fraud scheme.
Richards testified that her deputy had not been involved in the investigation of Leary or his business partner.
Leary played for Indiana during 1989-94 and had been an analyst for IU's radio broadcasts for several years.
New York
Appeals court rejects UN sexual harassment suit
NEW YORK (AP) ? An appeals court says a United Nations employee whose sexual harassment claims led to the resignation of the U.N.'s refugee chief cannot sue in U.S. courts.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that the U.N. is absolutely immune from such a lawsuit, and its former employees also have immunity.
The ruling upheld a lower court judge's decision to toss out a lawsuit brought by U.S. citizen Cynthia Brzak (BER'-zak). She had alleged that ex-refugee chief Ruud Lubbers (Ruhd LOO'-bers) grabbed her in a sexual manner after a December 2003 business meeting in his Geneva office.
Lubbers resigned from the position in February 2005 because of the attention caused by the scandal. He's also the former prime minister of the Netherlands.
Missouri
Convicted O'Fallon nanny may get new trial
ST. CHARLES, Mo. (AP) ? A St. Charles County nanny convicted of seriously injuring a 4-month-old boy may get a new trial following a ruling by the Eastern District Missouri Court of Appeals.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Wednesday that 24-year-old Rebecca Harris has been serving a 7-year prison sentence for the assault of Kaleb Wakefield. The appeals court on Tuesday reversed her 2008 conviction on the grounds that the jury should not have seen her videotaped interview with police because she had asked for an attorney at the start of the interview.
St. Charles County prosecutor Jack Banas says his office is likely to pursue a new trial.
Harris called 911 in October 2007. Kaleb had a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain and in his eyes. He has develop-mental delays and vision problems.
Hawaii
Federal drug charge for leprosy patient
HONOLULU (AP) ? Federal prosecutors have filed a drug charge against the youngest leprosy patient in Kalaupapa for allegedly trying to ship crystal methamphetamine to the remote Molokai peninsula.
An affidavit filed in U.S. District Court on Monday alleges 68-year-old Norbert Palea attempted to mail more than half an ounce of crystal methamphetamine to Kalaupapa from Honolulu during a visit last month.
It says U.S. Drug Enforcement Agents also investigated and questioned Palea during a November trip to Oahu.
The indictment charges Palea with one count of attempting to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
Palea's federal public defender, Matthew Winter, declined comment. Palea's bail hearing is scheduled for today.
New York
Woman sought 'upscale men' in NY suburb
CHAPPAQUA, N.Y. (AP) ? A woman in an affluent New York City suburb has been accused of targeting "upscale men" for prostitution.
New Castle police, who cover Chappaqua, say 46-year-old Melinda Brennan focused on "upscale men" in ads on Craigslist. Court papers say she offered "sensuous massage" to "generous gentlemen."
The documents say she was arrested at her home Feb. 19 after she accepted $200 for sex with an undercover officer.
Brennan is due in town court today. The court clerk said there was no attorney of record.
Brennan was renting the house after being divorced in April.
Texas
Spokesman: $51 million award 'jackpot justice'
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) ? A spokesman for a politically influential Houston homebuilder is calling a $51 million Tarrant County jury verdict in a consumer lawsuit against the builder "jackpot justice."
Anthony Holm is a spokesman for Perry Homes and major political contributor Bob Perry. Holm calls the award to Robert and Jane Cull of Mansfield "equivalent to every single resident in Texas depositing $2 into the lawyer's bank account" and said it would be appealed.
The Culls sued Perry Homes over problems with their home's foundation and construction. The Monday verdict came after the Texas Supreme Court overturned an $800,000 arbitration award. Holm says Perry offered to buy back the house at full price, but the Culls refused the offer. The Culls' attorney, Van Shaw, would say only "that's not accurate," but declined to elaborate on settlement discussions.
Perry has given millions of dollars to state and federal candidates.
Published: Thu, Mar 4, 2010
