Abramoff to plead guilty to fraud charges News
Abramoff to plead guilty to fraud charges

[JURIST] Indicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff [JURIST news archive] has agreed to plead guilty to two of six fraud charges and to assist federal prosecutors with any ongoing investigations in exchange for a more favorable sentence, Abramoff's lawyers said Tuesday. Abramoff was indicted [JURIST report; DOJ press release] in August for allegedly faking a wire transfer that defrauded two lenders of $60 million during the 2000 purchase of SunCruz Casinos [corporate website] by Abramoff and partners. Though he initially pleaded not guilty [JURIST report] to all charges, his value to federal prosecutors as a potential witness may have increased as the Department of Justice has uncovered more connections between Abramoff and prominent public officials [JURIST report] than expected. Former Abramoff partner Jack Scanlon pleaded guilty [JURIST report] last November to one count of bribing US Representative Rob Ney (R-OH) [official website], and was expected to testify against Abramoff. 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.