Phillip Swarts
Articles by Phillip Swarts
Communist prom theme chosen for U.S. high school: ‘Prom-munism’
Students at an Albuquerque, N.M., school decided that communism should be the theme for their prom — now dubbed "Prom-munism." Published March 7, 2015
Robert Menendez responds to federal corruption charges, says he’s ‘not going anywhere’
Responding to reports that the Justice Department is preparing to charge him with criminal corruption, a defiant Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, said he is "not going anywhere." Published March 7, 2015
Joe Biden: Denying climate change ‘almost like denying gravity’
Vice President Joe Biden slammed those who question climate change, saying that ignoring the scientific evidence is "almost like denying gravity now." Published March 7, 2015
Eric Holder: Dismantling Ferguson Police Department still an option
Attorney General Eric Holder said Friday that dismantling the Ferguson Police Department is still an option if the city does not take steps to reform. Published March 6, 2015
Robert Menendez to face federal corruption charges: report
The Justice Department is preparing to bring criminal corruption charges against New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, alleging that he used his office to benefit the business of a donor and friend. Published March 6, 2015
Ferguson names employee in racist e-mail scandal
The city of Ferguson named an employee Friday who was fired for sending racist e-mails to co-workers that were uncovered by a federal investigation. Published March 6, 2015
Michael Brown’s family has good chance to win civil suit against Ferguson PD, lawyer says
A leading criminal defense attorney said Friday that Michael Brown's family has a good chance of winning their civil lawsuit against the Ferguson Police Department. Published March 6, 2015
Refugee advocate calls for greater international attention for displaced women
Ahead of International Women's Day on Sunday, the director of the International Organization for Migration called upon nations to recognize the plight that refugees and displaced women are facing in conflicts around the globe. Published March 6, 2015
California man gets 24 years in prison for $6 million housing scam
A California man will serve 24 years in prison after prosecutors said he preyed upon non-English speakers to scam them out of their mortgages, causing them to lose their houses. Published March 6, 2015
Darren Wilson, George Zimmerman Justice Department cases raise civil rights questions
Neither police officer Darren Wilson in Missouri nor neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in Florida was indicted on civil rights violations in their shootings of unarmed young black men, bringing into question why the Justice Department investigated in the first place and whether the bar is set too high to convict on such statutes. Published March 4, 2015
James Knowles, Ferguson mayor, promises change after damaging report
James Knowles, the mayor of Ferguson, Missouri, said he has fired one police officer and suspended two others after a Justice Department report revealed that law enforcement personnel had sent in racist e-mails. Published March 4, 2015
Eric Holder: Ferguson police routinely violated citizens’ rights
Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday the Justice Department has found a "pattern of excessive force" and financial exploitation by law enforcement agencies in Ferguson, Missouri. Published March 4, 2015
Darren Wilson cleared by Justice Department in Ferguson case
Former Officer Darren Wilson has been cleared of all civil rights violations in the fatal shooting of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, following a Justice Department investigation. Published March 4, 2015
Justice Dept.: U.S. report finds racial bias in Ferguson police
The Justice Department will conclude that there is a "pattern of police bias and excessive force" at the Ferguson, Missouri, police department, but is unlikely to directly charge former Officer Darren Wilson in the death of teenager Michael Brown, reported news agencies who were briefed on the report Tuesday. Published March 3, 2015
David Petraeus to plead guilty to removing classified information during affair
Former CIA Director and retired four-star Gen. David Petraeus will plead guilty to one charge of removing and retaining classified information, according to a deal announced by the Justice Department Tuesday. Published March 3, 2015
Leonard Nimoy, world famous as Mr. Spock on ‘Star Trek,’ dies
Actor Leonard Nimoy, best known for playing Spock in the "Star Trek" TV series, passed away Friday at his Los Angeles home. Published February 27, 2015
Loretta Lynch assures GOP senators she’ll follow court’s immigration ruling
Attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch gave three Republican senators written confirmation that she would follow a Texas court's ruling that has temporarily stopped President Obama's actions on immigration. Published February 26, 2015
Elena Kagan uses Dr. Seuss in case argument
When the Supreme Court announced its decision Wednesday on whether a fisherman should be charged under Wall Street regulatory laws, Justice Elena Kagan decided to include an unusual judicial argument: Dr. Seuss. Published February 25, 2015
Supreme Court: Fisherman shouldn’t be charged under Wall Street laws
Laws designed to target illegal Wall Street cover-ups do not apply to fish, the Supreme Court announced Wednesday. Published February 25, 2015
3 arrested in N.Y., Florida in plot to join Islamic State
The FBI charged three Brooklyn men Wednesday who are accused of attempting to aid Islamic State terrorists, the Justice Department said. Published February 25, 2015
