Last defendant in NM courthouse scandal pleads
Lawyer Blogs
The last defendant in a courthouse construction scandal that involved a once-powerful New Mexico politician has pleaded guilty in the case.
Construction manager Michael Murphy's plea Wednesday in federal court closes the case, which earlier led to guilty pleas by former state Senate President Pro Tem Manny Aragon and six other defendants.
Defendants were accused of using inflated and false invoices to bilk the state of $4.2 million during construction of the county courthouse in Albuquerque.
Murphy pleaded guilty to accepting a $20,000 check from a co-defendant, former court administrator Toby Martinez.
The 59-year-old Murphy faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Aragon faces 5 1/2 years in prison in a plea deal.
Related listings
-
Man accused of threat to Obama cops to gun charge
Lawyer Blogs 12/16/2008One of three men arrested after allegedly making racist threats against Barack Obama before the Democratic National Convention has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge in Denver federal court.Nathan Johnson pleaded guilty Tuesday in Denver federal cour...
-
Court sides with NY Times in anthrax libel case
Lawyer Blogs 12/15/2008The Supreme Court has rejected a plea by former Army scientist Steven J. Hatfill to revive his libel lawsuit against The New York Times over columns falsely implicating him in the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks.The justices did not comment Monday in tur...
-
Illinois AG asks high court to declare gov. unfit
Lawyer Blogs 12/13/2008The Illinois attorney general has filed a motion with the state's highest court asking justices to remove scandal-plagued Gov. Rod Blagojevich bluh-GOY'-uh-vich) from office.Lisa Madigan took the action Friday as pressure on the governor intensified ...
Is Now the Time to Really Call a Special Education Lawyer?
IDEA, FAPE, CHILD FIND and IEPs: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees all children with disabilities to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). FAPE starts with a school’s responsibility to identify that a child has a disability (Child Find) and create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) to suit the needs of the child.
Forte Law Group is one of only a very few law firms within the state of Connecticut that is dedicated to exclusively representing families and children with special needs.
Parents need to be persistent, dedicated and above all else aware of the many services and accommodations that their child is entitled to under the law. As early as this point within your child’s special education, many parents will often find themselves in the situation asking, “is now the time to really call a special education lawyer?” Here are a few things to consider when asking yourself that question.