American faces bribery charges in Iraqi reconstruction News
American faces bribery charges in Iraqi reconstruction

[JURIST] An American businessman has been charged with paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to US authorities in charge of the reconstruction in Iraq to obtain millions in contracts, the New York Times reported [NYT report] Thursday. According to the criminal complaint, which was unsealed Wednesday, Philip H. Bloom used bribes to win $3.5 million in contracts for three construction companies he operated in Iraq during the reconstruction effort. Two Coalition Provisional Authority [official website] officials and their spouses were named as co-conspirators in the complaint for accepting the alleged bribes from Bloom. One of the officials was reportedly the comptroller and financing officer of the CPA south central region of Iraq. According to the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction [official website], charges against others for crimes committed during the period following the US invasion of Iraq are likely forthcoming. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.