Abramoff enters not guilty plea on fraud charges News
Abramoff enters not guilty plea on fraud charges

[JURIST] As anticipated [JURIST report] in JURIST's Paper Chase, Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff [Wikipedia profile] pleaded not guilty Monday to conspiracy and wire fraud charges arising from a casino cruise line deal. Abramoff was indicted [JURIST report] earlier this month along with business partner Adam Kidan for allegedly defrauding two lenders of $60 million to buy San Cruz Casinos. Abramoff, once a close friend of US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay [official website], is also involved in a House Ethics Committee [official website] investigation into whether Abramoff paid for some of DeLay's foreign trips in violation of House rules. Reuters 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.