Manhattan DA launches oil-for-food criminal investigation News
Manhattan DA launches oil-for-food criminal investigation

[JURIST] Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau [Wikipedia profile] has announced a criminal investigation of former UN Oil-for-Food chief Benon Sevan [official profile]. According to a New York Sun report, Sevan is being investigated in connection with allegations of commercial bribery related to his role as executive director of the UN Oil-for-Food Program [JURIST news archive] for Iraq from 1997-2003. Last week, the UN Security Council agreed to turn over more documents [JURIST report] to the Independent Inquiry Committee [official website] investigating the scandal.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emporer

On December 25, 800 A.D., Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III in Rome, Italy. During his lifetime, Charlemagne united most of Western Europe for the first time since the fall of the Western Roman Empire. He is credited with spreading the rule of law throughout his dominions as well as starting the French and German monarchies.

President Andrew Johnson pardoned Confederates

On December 25, 1868, President Andrew Johnson granted an unconditional pardon to all who had been involved in "insurrection or rebellion" during the US Civil War.