'Ugly' potential fallout from Supreme Court health care case

A Supreme Court ruling due in a few weeks could wipe out health insurance for millions of people covered by President Barack Obama's health care law. But it's Republicans — not White House officials — who have been talking about damage control.

A likely reason: Twenty-six of the 34 states that would be most affected by the ruling have Republican governors, and 22 of the 24 GOP Senate seats up in 2016 are in those states.

Obama's law offers subsidized private insurance to people without access to it on the job. In the court case, opponents of the law argue that its literal wording allows the federal government to subsidize coverage only in states that set up their own health insurance markets.

Most states have not done so, because of the intense partisanship over "Obamacare" and in some cases because of technical problems. Instead, they rely on the federal HealthCare.gov website.

If the court invalidates the subsidies in those states, an estimated 8 million people could lose coverage. The results would be "ugly," said Sandy Praeger, a former Kansas insurance commissioner.

Swiss Bank UBS Pleading Guilty To Wire Fraud

Swiss bank UBS says it is pleading guilty to wire fraud and is paying $545 million to settle U.S. cases of market manipulation.

The bank said Wednesday that under the deal with U.S. authorities it will be granted conditional immunity from prosecution in a Department of Justice probe on the manipulation of foreign exchange rates. UBS AG said it was the first to report to the DOJ potential misconduct by banks in forex markets.

It will however pay a $342 million fine to the Federal Reserve.

It will separately pay a $203 million fine to the DOJ for manipulating a key market interest rate called the London Interbank Offered Rate.

The bank said "the conduct of a small number of employees was unacceptable and we have taken appropriate disciplinary actions."

High court won't hear appeal over Walker campaign probe

The Supreme Court won't hear an appeal from a conservative group seeking to end an investigation into possible illegal coordination between Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's 2012 recall campaign and independent groups.

The justices on Monday let stand an appeals court ruling that said Wisconsin Club for Growth and its director, Eric O'Keefe, must resolve their claims in state courts.

No one has been charged as a result of the investigation which has sought documents and testimony about possible violation of state campaign finance laws.

The investigation is on hold while a separate legal challenge is pending before the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The club and O'Keefe argued that the investigation was a violation of their First Amendment rights and an attempt to criminalize political speech.

New York Adoption Attorneys – Rosin Steinhagen Mendel

For over 35 years, the New York Adoption Attorneys of Rosin Steinhagen Mendel have served clients in New York City and the surrounding counties of Southern New York State and New Jersey in matters regarding adoption, foster care litigation, and family law. Rosin Steinhagen Mendel have represented clients in proceedings such as parental right termination, custody hearings, guardianship, and adoption.

The attorneys at Rosin Steinhagen Mendel have represented New York City Foster Care Agencies for over thirty years in all aspects regarding Family Law and New York State Administrative proceedings and provide representation for foster parents, persons seeking adoption, and parents in abuse and neglect proceedings.  Their practice focuses on the areas of law listed below:

·         Adoption

·         Foster Care litigation

·         General Family Law

·         Kinship Guardianship

·         Reproductive Law

In order to learn more about Rosin Steinhagen Mendel and their practice, please visit their website or contact them for more information regarding your case. 

Charlotte Employment Attorney - Strianese Law

The Strianese, PLLC was founded by Chris Strianese, a Charlotte based attorney who focuses his practice on employment law including but not limited to sexual harassment, wage and hour, and discrimination within the work place. He primarily represents wronged employees who have been fired for unlawful reasons or are currently experiencing harassment or discrimination in the workplace. Mr. Strianese represents all wronged employees from high level executives to office workers.

Mr. Strianese has made it a point to provide individualized attention to each and every one of his clients in order to protect their rights and remain focused on the case. While most discrimination and harassment cases can be settled through negotiation, if litigation is necessary, Mr. Strianese will provide the experience, expertise, and strategic thinking necessary in order to best represent you and protect your rights. You will work directly with Mr. Strianese on your case and will be updated and walked through the whole process.

Mr. Strianese has handled all types of employment cases for Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, and small businesses. He is well accustomed to the typical defenses raised by employers during litigation and can easily counter those defenses. If you are interested in discussing your case with Mr. Strianese, visit his website and fill out the contact form for more information. 

Playwright David Adjmi wins New York infringement court case

A playwright who was accused of copyright infringement by lawyers representing the TV show "Three's Company" over his parody of 1970s sitcoms has won a victory in court.

Loretta A. Preska, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, ruled Tuesday that David Adjmi, whose play "3C" had a run at Rattlestick Playwrights Theatre in 2012, is protected under the doctrine of fair use.

"The play is a highly transformative parody of the television series that, although it appropriates a substantial amount of 'Three's Company,' is a drastic departure from the original that poses little risk to the market for the original," the judge wrote, noting that copyright law "is designed to foster creativity."

Adjmi had the backing of many theater community heavyweights, including Jon Robin Baitz, Stephen Sondheim, Tony Kushner, John Guare and Terrence McNally.

The play is about two girls — one a tomboy, the other a sexy ditz — and a guy who spontaneously become roommates in a rundown Santa Monica apartment after a wild party.

They clash with a dislikable landlord who makes offensive, homophobic jokes. The playwright is exploring the idea of a culture avoiding difficult issues and problems by retreating into sex and drugs.

Spain court sentences man to 10 years for Codex theft

A Spanish court has sentenced a former electrician for Spain's famed Santiago de Compostela cathedral to 10 years in prison after convicting him of stealing a priceless 12th-century Codex Calixtinus, considered the first guide for Christians making the pilgrimage to venerate St. James.

In a ruling Wednesday, the court in A Coruna city convicted Jose Manuel Fernandez Castineiras of theft and money laundering.

Authorities found the richly-decorated Codex, which went missing in 2011, in his garage.

During the January trial, Castineiras, who is in his 60s, insisted he couldn't remember confessing to the theft.

Authorities who searched his home in 2012 also found other valuable religious works and recovered more than 1 million euros ($1.1 million).

Tens of thousands make the pilgrimage to Santiago each year.