Difference between revisions of "User:RahalMccall69"

From eplmediawiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(SF Bulls to fold or move as soon as next week)
(Justice Dept. watchdog complains of interference)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
@@@  
 
@@@  
From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser
+
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department's inspector general said Tuesday that his staff is routinely blocked from getting access to documents it needs for audits and reviews of the department and its law enforcement agencies.The interference causes delays in investigations and has several times required the intervention of Attorney General Eric Holder or his deputy to ensure that the records are ultimately turned <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/michaelkorssonline.php>Michael Kors uk</a>  over, Michael Horowitz, the inspector general, told members of Congress.Horowitz's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee came one month after nearly 50 inspectors general from a broad spectrum of federal agencies complained in a letter to Congress about similar obstruction from the departments they monitor. The inspectors general said in that letter that congressional action might be needed to ensure compliance with their requests.A 1978 law entitles inspectors general, who serve as watchdogs and investigate mismanagement, fraud and other problems at government agencies, to the records that they need for their probes. But in the last few years, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have denied timely access to records the office is entitled to under federal law, including grand jury materials, organizational charts, and wiretap and credit information, Horowitz testified.After the hearing, the FBI denied that it hindered investigations and said it worked closely with the inspector general.Horowitz testified that the refusal to grant routine requests stalls or impedes investigations -- including a recent one on the FBI's handling of material witnesses -- meaning that officials who are under review have sometimes retired or left the agencies before the report is complete."There are an innumerable number of issues that result from the delays that we face that are problematic," he said.The disputes over documents are typically resolved only after Holder, or Deputy <a href=http://capstone.edu.sg/clreplicashoes.php> Christian Louboutin Outlet Online</a>  Attorney General James Cole, have stepped in to grant permission to the inspector general. But Horowitz said it shouldn't have to come that."We should be able to get direct access to information," he said, adding that a witness at the FBI who wants to directly approach the inspector general's office with information should be able to do so."We shouldn't have to go make a request to the legal counsel, have them go look through the documents and get them eventually -- hopefully," he added.The Justice Department in May asked its Office of Legal Counsel to issue a legal opinion addressing the objections raised by the FBI. That request is pending.In <a href=http://www.symbiose.ca/images/christianlouboutin.gwij.php>Christian Louboutin Outlet</a>  a statement Tuesday, FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said the "vast majority" of information that is requested is provided without problem."However, there are a very limited number of instances in which legal questions arise regarding what we are lawfully allowed to produce, which may require a more thorough review to ensure the FBI is on sound legal footing in providing requested records," Bresson said.Members of the panel said they were concerned about the inspector general's ability to conduct independent oversight if needed information is not provided."I suspect that membership of this committee is virtually unanimous in recognizing the need for vigorous oversight of the Department of Justice," said Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the top Democrat on the committee.Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said the situation was "outrageous.""The inspector general should have unfettered access to all the information they want," he said. "And when it's got to the point where they can't even see an organizational chart, it's reached the level of absurdity that must be addressed immediately."____Follow Eric Tucker on Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
After losses of $2 million last season and projected similar losses this <a href=http://www.symbiose.ca/images/christianlouboutin.gwij.php>Christian Louboutin Sale</a>  season, the San Francisco Bulls minor-league hockey team could fold as soon as next week, coach Pat Curcio told The Chronicle on Monday morning.
+
Curcio has a pending agreement with a new ownership group that would save the Sharks-affiliated franchise but relocate the team to Oakland or Fresno. The deal hinges on league approval and a new venue, and league meetings are Wednesday in Philadelphia. Curcio cannot name the new potential owners because of a non-disclosure agreement.
+
With the Bulls folding or moving and the 49ers moving to Santa Clara, the Giants will be the only pro sports team in the greater city area; the Bulls play at the Cow Palace in Daly City, just on the border of San Francisco.
+
鈥淚f anyone can save us 鈥? I don鈥檛 know what to do,鈥?said Curcio, who put together an ownership group to bring pro hockey to San Francisco in 2012 only to see investors drop out as losses mounted. 鈥淚 want to do what鈥檚 best for the city, the league and the Sharks. But we may have to cease operations next week if we don鈥檛 finalize this deal. It鈥檚 devastating.鈥?
+
The ECHL team would stay in the Bay Area only if the Warriors agree to allow the Bulls to play at Oracle Arena,聽 according to Curcio. The Bulls would reschedule all of their games to avoid conflicts with Warriors games and concerts, but the Warriors have first right of refusal to share the arena and so far have shown no inclination to allow the Bulls to play at Oracle on open dates on the schedule. It鈥檚 no secret that the Warriors have been exploring a move to San Francisco.
+
One major problem for the Bulls has been the Cow <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/michaelkorssonline.php> michael kors handbags</a>  Palace, according to Curcio. The Bulls pay all their expenses at the building, and the team made numerous upgrades, including putting in a new ice system and scoreboard; the arena and the team split concessions and parking and the Cow Palace gets a cut of the tickets. The state-owned operated Cow Palace was unwilling to explore new terms, however, even with the Bulls on the brink of defaulting, Curcio said.
+
鈥淲hy not help us out, get us back on our feet and then make revenue when it comes?鈥?he said.聽 鈥淲e lost $2 million last year, the Cow Palace made probably $500,000 鈥?we said, 鈥楲et鈥檚 renegotiate,鈥?but that鈥檚 not going to happen. That鈥檚 the final nail in the coffin.鈥?
+
Cow Palace CEO Ken Alstott said Monday that he does not have information about the Bulls鈥?finances and that his understanding was that the team was restructuring its ownership group. Only then would there be the potential of talks about a new contract.
+
鈥淲e鈥檝e helped them with ideas about cutting costs and they鈥檝e done that,鈥?Alstott said. 鈥淚 know the league has meetings this week and they鈥檒l be talking about some of this.鈥?
+
Would the facility consider a new deal with the Bulls under new ownership? 鈥淚f it made sense we would,鈥?Alstott said. 鈥淏ut it has to be profitable for us or we鈥檇 rent the space out for other events. That鈥檚 part of this industry, things come and go.鈥?
+
Curcio claims that the Bulls have brought the city $16 million in revenue and jobs created in their season and a half, but, he said,聽 鈥淭he costs of doing <a href=http://www.alportico.net/prodotti/christianlouboutin-sale.jkmsw.php>Cheap Christian Louboutin</a>  business in San Francisco are the highest in the league. 鈥ut then you look, and every night, there are 1,000 kids in the stands, watching us and dreaming of being hockey players. You can鈥檛 put a price on that.鈥?
+
Among the issues, Curcio said, is that players are paying $3,000 a month in rent, given San Francisco鈥檚 housing costs.
+
鈥淭hey鈥檙e trying to operate a minor-league team in a major-league city,鈥?Alstott said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 got to be tough. They鈥檝e been doing their best.鈥?
+
Curcio said he hopes to stay on as coach should the pending agreement with new ownership go through.
+

Revision as of 22:16, 25 September 2014

@@@ WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department's inspector general said Tuesday that his staff is routinely blocked from getting access to documents it needs for audits and reviews of the department and its law enforcement agencies.The interference causes delays in investigations and has several times required the intervention of Attorney General Eric Holder or his deputy to ensure that the records are ultimately turned <a href=http://www.avanttravel.com/michaelkorssonline.php>Michael Kors uk</a> over, Michael Horowitz, the inspector general, told members of Congress.Horowitz's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee came one month after nearly 50 inspectors general from a broad spectrum of federal agencies complained in a letter to Congress about similar obstruction from the departments they monitor. The inspectors general said in that letter that congressional action might be needed to ensure compliance with their requests.A 1978 law entitles inspectors general, who serve as watchdogs and investigate mismanagement, fraud and other problems at government agencies, to the records that they need for their probes. But in the last few years, the FBI and other law enforcement agencies have denied timely access to records the office is entitled to under federal law, including grand jury materials, organizational charts, and wiretap and credit information, Horowitz testified.After the hearing, the FBI denied that it hindered investigations and said it worked closely with the inspector general.Horowitz testified that the refusal to grant routine requests stalls or impedes investigations -- including a recent one on the FBI's handling of material witnesses -- meaning that officials who are under review have sometimes retired or left the agencies before the report is complete."There are an innumerable number of issues that result from the delays that we face that are problematic," he said.The disputes over documents are typically resolved only after Holder, or Deputy <a href=http://capstone.edu.sg/clreplicashoes.php> Christian Louboutin Outlet Online</a> Attorney General James Cole, have stepped in to grant permission to the inspector general. But Horowitz said it shouldn't have to come that."We should be able to get direct access to information," he said, adding that a witness at the FBI who wants to directly approach the inspector general's office with information should be able to do so."We shouldn't have to go make a request to the legal counsel, have them go look through the documents and get them eventually -- hopefully," he added.The Justice Department in May asked its Office of Legal Counsel to issue a legal opinion addressing the objections raised by the FBI. That request is pending.In <a href=http://www.symbiose.ca/images/christianlouboutin.gwij.php>Christian Louboutin Outlet</a> a statement Tuesday, FBI spokesman Paul Bresson said the "vast majority" of information that is requested is provided without problem."However, there are a very limited number of instances in which legal questions arise regarding what we are lawfully allowed to produce, which may require a more thorough review to ensure the FBI is on sound legal footing in providing requested records," Bresson said.Members of the panel said they were concerned about the inspector general's ability to conduct independent oversight if needed information is not provided."I suspect that membership of this committee is virtually unanimous in recognizing the need for vigorous oversight of the Department of Justice," said Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., the top Democrat on the committee.Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said the situation was "outrageous.""The inspector general should have unfettered access to all the information they want," he said. "And when it's got to the point where they can't even see an organizational chart, it's reached the level of absurdity that must be addressed immediately."____Follow Eric Tucker on Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Actions
Navigation
extras
Toolbox