Federal judge lets verdicts stand in Adelphia fraud case News
Federal judge lets verdicts stand in Adelphia fraud case

[JURIST] A federal judge has refused to overturn the fraud and conspiracy convictions of Adelphia Communications founder and former chairman John Rigas and former CFO Timothy Rigas. The pair were convicted of one count of conspiracy, 15 counts of securities fraud, and two counts of bank fraud for looting the company and lying about its finances. US District Judge Leonard Sand rejected defense arguments that the convictions should be overturned and a new trial granted because the prosecution didn't present enough evidence and the judge made errors during trial. Bloomberg News has more. AP has background on the convictions.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Laws of Burgos put into effect

The Spanish Crown put the Laws of Burgos into effect on December 27, 1512. These laws governed the relationship of Spanish settlers with the indigenous peoples of the Caribbean. The laws established the encomienda system of labor, promoted conversion to Catholicism, and safeguarded the indigenous peoples from physical abuse.  However, historians argue that the laws were ineffective at protecting the rights of the indigenous population. Learn more from the Library of Congress.

Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public bar smashing

On December 27, 1900, militant Prohibitionist Carrie Nation carried out her first public smashing of a bar, at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. Nation argued that destroying bars was an acceptable means of battling the liquor trade since the Kansas Constitution prohibited alcohol. Learn more about Carrie Nation.

World Bank created

On December 27, 1944, the World Bank was created during the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA. Learn more about the history of the World Bank.