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Politico
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Politico
Habba's term as US attorney expires Tuesday. Can she stay?
Good Thursday morning! Earlier this month, after President Trump nominated Alina Habba for a full term as U.S. attorney, I wrote that it was hard to see her lasting past her 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney given her conduct in office and opposition from Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim. Habba's term expires Tuesday. But the case of another controversial interim U.S. attorney is making me rethink that. John Sarcone's term in the Northern District of New York — home to such luminaries as me — expired July 14. The state's District Court judges did not vote to keep Sarcone in the position. Nor did they choose a successor. They avoided a fight with the Trump administration, which appears to have used work-arounds to keep Sarcone in the office. According to the Times-Union, Sarcone was made first assistant U.S. attorney — a position that automatically becomes acting U.S. attorney when there's a vacancy. And cited a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi that said she appointed him as 'special attorney' with an 'indefinite' term. So could we expect something similar for Habba? I don't know, but what just happened in upstate New York shows the Trump administration may have some options. But I wonder if the Sarcone situation will influence the upcoming decision by New Jersey's U.S. District Court judges. Most of them are Democratic appointees, and they've doubtless read about Habba's controversies both in office and before it. Would they care enough about avoiding a fight with the executive to not act, potentially helping Habba stay in? If they don't act, could the Trump administration appoint a different interim U.S. attorney, as he did with Jeannine Pirro in Washington? Or even appoint Habba to another 120-day term? And if the judges do appoint a successor to Habba, could Trump fire that person? The 2020 attempt to oust Geoffrey Berman, the New York Southern District interim U.S. attorney named by the first Trump administration and affirmed by judges, almost answered that question but was ultimately resolved by Berman's resignation. There are many questions, and it's hard to come by any definite answers. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Maplewood at 1 p.m. to sign pedestrian and cyclist safety legislation QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'lol.' — Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden responding to his indictment for allegedly falsely claiming to be a veteran for a state tax exemption HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Chris Durkin, Lloyd Naideck, Scott Devlin, Kaleem Shabazz, Cristobal Slobodzian WHAT TRENTON MADE THE SUPREME COURT VIRTUE — State Supreme Court upholds charity care law, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The state Supreme Court on Wednesday kept in place the state's charity care law, which requires hospitals to provide care to patients even if they are unable to pay. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by several hospitals, which argued the state's charity care law is unconstitutional. The premise of their argument is that the government was requiring them to provide services without charging patients and without proper reimbursement from the state — thus making it an unconditional taking of property. The court, however, wasn't convinced. The ruling essentially maintains the status quo for charity care and does not change how hospitals are reimbursed … An attorney for the hospitals said they are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court .. The plaintiff hospitals included Englewood Hospital, Cooper University Hospital, Hackensack Meridian Health, St. Mary's General Hospital, Capital Health and the hospitals under the newly formed Hudson Regional Health. BOARD OF PUBLIC FUTILITY — Next governor can easily reshape the Board of Public Utilities, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey's next governor could quickly remake state energy policy after taking office by filling three seats on the powerful five-seat Board of Public Utilities. The board has been down a member for more than a year and a second vacancy opened on Wednesday following the abrupt departure of Republican member Marian Abdou, who said she was leaving to tend to her family. A third spot could open next March, when Democratic commissioner Zenon Christodoulou's term expires. That means unless Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat, can get the Senate to quickly approve a pair of new members, his successor will be able to totally reshape the board during their first months in office.' — BPU member steps down, leaving five-seat board with three members BLET'S SHAKE ON IT — 'Here's what this NJ Transit union could get in the new contract that ended a rail strike,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'A tentative contract that ended the second rail strike in NJ Transit history is up for a vote by the agency's board of directors Thursday evening. The contract terms the board will vote on show that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen got what they wanted without breaking the bank of the agency or commuters … The union got a desired hourly rate increase to $53 for engineers, that keeps NJ Transit competitive with the salaries of peers at other commuter and passenger railroads, such as Metro North, Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road. … They also received a 3% annual increase, which was an issue that led to union members voting down the first tentative contract. … That issue was a tightrope walk for both NJ Transit and the union. Gov. Phil Murphy stressed the importance of an agreement that didn't 'blow up the budget' and leave the next administration with a financial headache to deal with.' BEACH OF TRUST — 'Camden senator says Platkin playing politics, seeks Senate hearing,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'A state senator from Camden County has accused Attorney General Matt Platkin of using his office to pursue a political agenda and wants the Senate to hold a public hearing this fall to investigate his allegations. The senator, James Beach (D-Voorhees), accused Platkin of having a 'longstanding obsession with South Jersey's political landscape, particularly within my home county of Camden.' …Beach cited Platkin's indictment of key South Jersey political and business leaders last year, including Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross III, which a state court judge has dismissed, and the slowness of the state's prosecution of two South Jersey Transportation Authority officials last year – something Beach says has left them 'in limbo with their reputations in tatters.' … Platkin pushed back on Beach's allegations, saying it is 'no surprise that some of those in power do not like an attorney general who takes on the powerful.'' —'Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by 5 points in GOP poll' —'Thousands of unaffiliated voters switched, took part in NJ primary election' —'Op-Ed: Sherrill warns about loss of abortion rights, Planned Parenthood funding in NJ' —'Need a Real ID in New Jersey? You will have to wait until the fall' TRUMP ERA ICE — 'Masked men detain a HS student. He was fed bread and water for a week in N.J.,' by NJ Advance Media's AJ MacDougall and Jana Cholakovska: 'The masked men appeared out of nowhere. They descended on Alan Junior Pierre, confronting the high school junior last month as he left a routine immigration appointment in New York City. As the men drew closer, he noticed their badges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. … Pierre would soon find himself in Delaney Hall. … He described tough but bearable conditions in an interview last week with NJ Advance Media, just hours after his July 9 release. He said he was given nothing but bread and water during his first week in the detention center. The food quality later improved, Pierre said, and he was fed three meals a day. … Pierre left Haiti amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis prompted by escalating gang violence and political instability. The 20-year-old man — who has no criminal record, according to Sykes — crossed the southern border legally in January under a humanitarian program granting him 'special parole status.'' —'NJ imam from Jordan can remain in US, appeals court rules' —'Andy Kim will hold town hall in Westfield, invites Tom Kean Jr. to join him' —'Spokesperson who handled press on Jan. 6 riot is fired from DOJ. She has N.J., Philly ties' —'Rally held in support of 25 Edison warehouse workers detained by ICE' CONCRETE EVIDENCE — 'Step by step, how a former Montclair mayor beat sidewalk ticket,' by Montclair Local's Matt Kadosh: 'The dismissal of former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller's 2023 ticket for a 'defective' sidewalk shows how he skirted fines for an alleged violation that many residents are now paying out thousands of dollars to avoid. The violation came before the township adopted a long-awaited update to its sidewalk maintenance law — an update that, according to township records released Tuesday, was prompted in part by Spiller's own case. Code enforcement cited Spiller on July 13, 2023, for a sidewalk maintenance violation in front of a property he owns on South Willow Street. At the time, he was still serving as mayor. A copy of the ticket, obtained through a public records request by Montclair Local, states Spiller 'failed to replace defective concrete sections of sidewalk.' ... In an email, Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Carmen Martin said, 'We dismissed the case because Mr. Spiller remediated the issue along with the lack of discovery.' ... Asked by a reporter why his ticket was dismissed and its relation to the sidewalk ordinance update, Spiller said his sidewalk warning came before the council learned the local law needed updating.' THE SALEM RICH TRIALS — 'N.J. police director criminally charged by prosecutor. 'Character assassination,' he responds,' by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: 'Penns Grove's civilian police director was criminally charged last month with obstruction of justice and harassment for alleged on-duty behavior, adding another twist to a force that since May has been supervised by the Salem County Prosecutor's Office. The director, Richard Rivera, said the charges are purely political and amount to 'character assassination' by Salem County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey. The charges, signed by a prosecutor's sergeant in June, allege Rivera made numerous intimidating or hostile messages to subordinates and took police equipment that prevented its use by officers, court records show. The alleged behavior occurred on May 20, the day Telsey's office assumed day-to-day control of the Penns Grove police.' THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN — 'No takers for Lakewood schools lawyer job; Search deadline extended,' by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'Former Board of Education attorney Michael Inzelbuch's exit has thrown the school district's legal representation into turmoil. Since Inzelbuch's last six-figure contract ended on June 30 - his reappointment was blocked by a state monitor - the district has been forced to cancel at least one board meeting due to lack of legal counsel. It also has extended the timeline for applicants to submit their names for his job. Inzelbuch, who had served as board attorney since 2017, had come under scrutiny for an annual contract that paid him an automatic $600,000 yearly, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional litigation fees. He has received more than $6 million in the past eight years, in some cases taking home more than $1 million in a year. As of Tuesday, no lawyers have applied to replace Inzelbuch, according to Board Member Moshe Raitzik. The deadline for the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the district for applicants is now July 31. Meanwhile, at least two law firms that have served the district in recent years refuse to continue unless Inzelbuch is reappointed.' ANTI-NEPOTISM BUT PRO-NIPPLETISM — 'Toms River PBA says mayor slashes cop hiring standards; mayor says he's fighting nepotism,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'The Toms River police union has accused Mayor Daniel Rodrick of trying to 'gain total control of the hiring of future officers,' with a planned revamp of the police department's hiring process. Anthony Paciulli, president of Toms River Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 137, wrote in a letter posted to the PBA's Facebook page July 14 that an ordinance introduced last month by the Township Council would also lower standards for new hires. … The ordinance, which is likely to have a second reading and vote at the July 30 council meeting, would allow veterans to be hired without completing any college coursework. It would also permit the township to hire those already working as officers in other departments without any additional educational requirements. … Rodrick said he was left with a list of only 13 potential candidates following testing conducted by the previous police administration, and that number was supposed to supply the department with officers over a three-year period. He said the list was 'filled' with people who are related to Toms River police officers, and claimed that is why the PBA is 'upset' about the potential changes.' BEZOBOTS — 'Historic N.J. horse track could become massive Amazon distribution center,' by NJ Advance Media's Stephanie Loder and Eric Conklin: 'A 3-million square-foot Amazon fulfillment center with the potential to create hundreds of jobs is being planned for the former Atlantic City Race Course in Hamilton Township, officials told NJ Advance Media. Once a landmark in Atlantic County, the racetrack predated Atlantic City's casino industry in the 1970s, which contributed to its downfall. After closing 10 years ago, graffiti, overgrown grass and a decaying grandstand are all that remain. … Amazon is under contract to acquire 84 acres at the property's west end, occupied by dozens of stables, according to past minutes from township committee meetings. … The type of center being proposed is an Amazon Robotics Sortable facility. … Amazon said typically this type of facility would have 750 employees.' —'Family, friends remember 2 'loving' women who were killed in N.J. flash flood' —'Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission faces two lawsuits over methane power plant approval in Newark' —'South Brunswick cop from Bradley Beach charged with stealing from PBA local, shoplifting' —'Hackensack City Council moves to rescind developer deals made by lame-duck predecessors' —'New Essex family courthouse dedicated to trailblazing state senator's legacy' —'Hoboken discourse once again ends up in the gutter over … rabbit risotto? 'F*** you'' EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD THEY REBRAND AS DOGTAMONT OR DOGSTOCK '99? — 'Coachella challenges Newark dog fest over name use,' by NJBIZ's Kimberly Redmond: 'Popular California music and arts festival Coachella is apparently barking mad over the name of a festival celebrating all things canine that recently debuted in Newark. Advertised as 'Barkchella'' the 'dog lifestyle festival' took place in late June 'Because Barkchella was a HUGE success … the big bad attorneys over at Coachella Music Festival decided to hit us up with a cease & desist over their 'chella' trademark,' event organizer Gary George wrote in a July 12 update … George provided a copy of the letter to NJBIZ. According to the correspondence, Coachella noted its federally registered trademarks used to identify goods and services associated with its festival. It went on to say, 'We do not endorse your endeavors, nor do we consent to allow you to use our brand to attract traffic to your own commercial ventures.' George said his marketing and event planning firm 'tried working it out but their legal team are playing hardball.' As a result, they 'decided to go the easy route and rebrand.' To stay out of the doghouse, George said they'll change the event's name.' POP GO THE MEASLES — 'Officials tracking if child spread measles at 2 North Jersey hospitals, a mall, elsewhere,' by The Record's Scott Fallon: 'State health officials are investigating whether a Hudson County child spread measles at several public locations throughout North Jersey in recent weeks — including two hospitals, a doctor's office, a mall, a coffee shop, a pharmacy and a restaurant. The case is the latest in a string of isolated measles cases this year in New Jersey that have not resulted in any reported outbreaks, unlike Texas, where more than 700 cases have been documented. Measles cases in the U.S. have hit a record high this year for the first time since the virus was believed eradicated in 2000.' —'New Jersey gambling revenue up 18.5%; in-person casino win increases' —'N.J. woman gets $8.7M judgment after man posted stolen intimate photos of her online' —'Prudential announces more NJ layoffs after axing over 600 employees last year' —'NJ native Scott Riccardi wins ninth straight 'Jeopardy!' game to set season record'
NZ Herald
6 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Christopher Millen sentenced in Tauranga District Court for Waihī machete attack
On Wednesday, having pleaded guilty and accepting an earlier sentence indication, the 48-year-old was sentenced in the Tauranga District Court to six years' imprisonment. 'I'm going to cut you up' The court heard Millen arrived at a Waihī woman's home, yelling for $20 he said he was owed, and banging on the back door. Her visiting ex-partner came to the back door to ask what was going on. Millen pulled out the machete and swung it several times, slicing the man's stomach. The man tried to push him off, but fell to the ground. Millen said, 'I'm going to cut you up', before he struck the man's back with the machete. The sentencing was held in Tauranga District Court. Photo / NZME The man got to his feet and grabbed a branch to defend himself. Millen took off, smashing the window of the woman's Holden Commodore as he fled. The man Millen attacked ended up hospitalised with wounds to his abdomen and back. Five months in the bush After the machete attack, Millen was living rough in the bush in the Athenree Gorge, and 'actively evading police'. Waihī police Detective Glen Ewing said on August 12, 2024, police discovered where Millen was camped out. They knew he was 'armed, highly motivated to evade arrest and in a difficult to access location', so they enlisted the help of Police Special Tactics Group (STG), Waikato Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) and the police Eagle helicopter. The Eagle located Millen's campsite and confirmed he had a long-barrelled firearm. Millen ran from police, discarding the firearm along the way, before STG officers apprehended him 'without incident'. Ewing said the firearm Millen discarded was found with ammunition in the magazine. 'A search of Millen's makeshift campsite, which was heavily camouflaged, located numerous stolen items and further ammunition,' Ewing said. Near where he had set up camp, there was a secluded property owned by a retired couple with a cottage and a main house that was under construction. Between March 24, 2024, and April 19, 2024, Millen visited the property several times, stealing tools, equipment and a sheep, to the value of $3625.59. On April 21, he returned again, causing about $800 in damage to a door and window to get in, and then stealing a .22 calibre rifle and ammunition. On April 27, he came back again, this time with the previously stolen rifle. He broke into a shed and stole $369 worth of tools and equipment. The owner had installed CCTV cameras after the previous burglaries, and these notified him of movement around the shed. He wasn't home at the time but returned to investigate, calling out 'come out, identify yourself' as he got out of his car. He didn't see Millen, who fled into the bush, and it wasn't until August that police were able to find him. At sentencing, Judge Arthur Tompkins gave a 25% discount for guilty plea, but also imposed an uplift for Millen's previous offending. Given Millen's struggles with drug addiction and the role this had in his offending, the judge decided to give a 'small additional discount'. 'But not otherwise given the fact that, in particular, Mr Millen went on the run and was at large for some months,' Judge Tompkins said. 'And given the danger which an offender represents to the community by the possession of firearms.' The judge sentenced Millen to six years' imprisonment on the charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and three burglary charges. On the unlawful possession of a firearm charge, Millen was sentenced to one year's imprisonment, and for the two charges of intentional damage, he was also sentenced to one year's imprisonment, all to be served concurrently. The judge noted the impact the offending had on the retired couple Millen stole from and the damage caused to the home they were building. A reparation order of $2625 was made for the damage caused, and there was an order made for the destruction of the firearm. Hannah Bartlett is a Tauranga-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She previously covered court and local government for the Nelson Mail, and before that was a radio reporter at Newstalk ZB.
ABC News
11 hours ago
- ABC News
Man jailed after setting off fire hydrants at Australian Bragg Centre, causing 'significant water damage'
A man who was found in his underwear and chewing on an espresso pod after causing over $7 million of damage to a building in Adelaide's CBD has been jailed for at least 18 months. Daniel Michael Loeser, 32, of Ingle Farm, was sentenced in South Australia's District Court on Thursday after previously pleading guilty to one count of serious criminal trespass and one count of damaging a building. District Court Judge Geraldine Davison said Loeser had entered the Australian Bragg Centre in the early hours of January 5 and set off fire hydrants on six levels of the building, causing "significant water damage". In sentencing, Judge Davison said the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) arrived at the building at 1:20am and "noticed extensive flooding on level two of the building". "Special tools [were] needed to open the door, behind the [stairwell] door the water had been backed up to approximately a metre in height," she said. "The risers to the fire hydrant valves on levels eight to 15 had each been manually opened, causing the flooding. "The entire building suffered significant water damage amounting to a total sum of about $2 million, but with other costs associated with getting the building rectified, the damage is now currently claimed to be over $7 million." Judge Davison said Loeser was then found in the kitchen on one of the floors. "You were wearing nothing but your underwear and chewing on what appeared to be an espresso pod whilst holding several knives in your hands," she said. She said Loeser had been released from the Adelaide Remand Centre shortly before the offending, where he had been held for separate charges. "It was shortly after your release on bail that you were wandering through the city and came across the Bragg Centre, you were at that time coming off GHB and a submission was made [that] you had been up for several days," she said. "There is no dispute that you were in a state where you were significantly affected by substances at the time that you entered the Bragg Centre. "This state of intoxication at the time likely resulted in a reduced understanding of your behaviour and impaired ability to control it." Judge Davison said Loeser told a psychologist he was trying to gain access to the Royal Adelaide Hospital when he broke into the medical centre. "You didn't intend to trespass in the building or damage property by activating the sprinklers, but rather you were attempting to access the hospital in order to receive treatment for your self-induced mental health issues," she said. She said Loeser's actions not only caused property damage but caused distress to the tenants. "By your reckless behaviour, you have caused significant damage and undoubtedly this has been distressing for many people who have had to deal with the aftermath of your behaviour," she said. Loeser was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 months. The sentence was backdated to when he was taken into custody on January 5, meaning he will be eligible for parole in June next year.
BreakingNews.ie
20 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man who posted video of ex-wife backed with 'abusive' rap has jail sentence overturned
A man who broke a safety order by posting a video of his ex-wife on Facebook with 'abusive' rap music over it has had his four-month jail sentence replaced with a suspended term on appeal. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, posted a video of four pictures on a loop, one of which showed his former wife in a swimsuit on a beach with her face distorted. Advertisement He had pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 on June 13th, 2024, but lodged an appeal against his sentence. Garda Noel McBrearty told the District Court Appeals Court on Wednesday that gardaí received a report from the injured party that her former husband had breached a safety order. He said that gardaí were made aware of a video posted to the man's Facebook page, which featured rap music playing over four images on a continuous loop. Garda McBrearty said that the first image was of the injured party wearing a swimsuit on a beach, the second image featured the woman's new partner, the third showed a vehicle the woman had previously owned, and the fourth was another picture of the woman. Advertisement He said the injured party told him that the rap music had lyrics which were 'abusive in nature'. Garda McBrearty said that all of the images had digitally distorted facial features, but the injured party was able to identify herself in the pictures. Defence counsel for the man, Chloe Geraghty BL, said that her client recognised the 'stupidity' in posting the video on a public platform, although the woman was blocked from his page at the time. She said that the man had a very difficult time accepting the relationship was over, but has now moved on. Advertisement Judge Christopher Callan told the defendant that he breached the safety order less than a month after it was issued, adding that he was not sure the man understood what he was obliged to do under the order. Ireland Landlord Marc Godart seeks court go-ahead to take... Read More The appellant told the judge that he now understands and apologised for his actions, adding that he will not do it again. Judge Callan told the man that he was 'running out of road rapidly' but decided to suspend the sentence of four months for the period of 12 months on the condition that he keeps the peace and abides with the directions of the safety order to not to contact the injured party by any means. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Women's Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@ or Men's Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@ for support and information. Safe Ireland also offers a number of local services and helplines at In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork man who threatened to kill Tidy Towns volunteer ordered to attend anger management
A Cork man who threatened to kill a Tidy Towns volunteer has been ordered to attend anger management classes by a district court judge. Vincent Harrington, aged 52, of Desert View, Clonakilty, appeared for penalty before Judge Joanne Carroll at Clonakilty District Court. At a previous hearing, Harrington was convicted of threatening to kill a Tidy Towns volunteer who parked their van in a lay-by near the entrance to Harrington's driveway. The conviction related to an incident that occurred at Convent Hill, Clonakilty on the afternoon of May 27, 2024. Mr Harrington had threatened the Tidy Towns volunteer he would hold his head under water and 'keep it there until the last breath'. Mr Harrington had claimed the injured party's van was parked in a dangerous position in the lay-by which adjoined a busy main road. He said there was not enough room to safely pass it and it was parked in a position that restricted access to his property. When Garda Brian Noonan attended the scene, he was able to pass the parked van in the lay-by in the garda SUV and also reverse back past it as well. He told the court in his opinion the van was not parked in a dangerous position, did not block access to Mr Harrington's driveway and did not pose a danger for vehicles turning onto the adjoining main road. Judge Carroll said Harrington has been 'incensed by what he perceived was a wrong', but that was not the case. The judge said Harrington had wanted to 'threaten and bully people' into not parking in the lay-by, and wanted to 'take the law into his own hands.' The judge told Harrington: 'You are very volatile and explosive over this issue.' She ordered Harrington to attend at least 'three or four' anger management sessions, to donate €200 to the poor box and to carry out 20 hours of voluntary work, which she advised him not to do with the Tidy Towns. The judge said if Harrington obeyed the courts instructions, then the Probation Act would be applied and the case was adjourned to November 4, 2025. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
