Indicted lobbyist Abramoff to cooperate in murder investigation News
Indicted lobbyist Abramoff to cooperate in murder investigation

[JURIST] Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff [Wikipedia profile], who faces federal bank fraud charges [JURIST report] related to a casino deal, expressed his willingness Tuesday to speak with investigators about the death of Konstantinos "Gus" Boulis. Abramoff is charged [DOJ press release] with conspiracy and wire fraud in the September 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos [Corporate website] from Boulis, who was shot to death a few months following the sale. Abramoff is also under investigation by a federal grand jury and by the US Senate Indian Affairs Committee [official website] for excessive charges associated with lobbying efforts on behalf of six Indian tribes. Abramoff will return to court on August 29 to enter his plea; he is currently free on bail. AP has more.

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.