BREAKING NEWS ~ Riggs Bank pleads guilty to money laundering News
BREAKING NEWS ~ Riggs Bank pleads guilty to money laundering

[JURIST] Reuters is reporting that Riggs Bank [official website] has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges and agreed to pay $16 million. The charges stem from the bank's handling of finances for diplomats and foreign officials, including former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet. The plea could jeopardize a takeover deal with PNC Financial Services Group [official website]. Riggs was implicated in a report on money laundering and foreign corruption [text, PDF] last summer by the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations of the Committee on Governmental Affairs. AP has more on the anticipated charges.

THIS DAY @ LAW

President Harding signed "anti-beer bill"

On November 23, 1921, President Warren G. Harding signed the Willis-Campbell Act, popularly termed the "anti-beer bill," prohibiting doctors from prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes.

Convention on Cybercrimes opens for signature

On November 23, 2001, the Convention on Cybercrime was opened for signature in Budapest, Hungary, before entering into force on July 1, 2004. The Convention seeks to coordinate the Internet laws of signatory states and promote international enforcement of cybercrime laws. Learn more about the Convention on Cybercrime from the Council of Europe.