Phillip Swarts
Articles by Phillip Swarts
EPA official suspected of serial sexual harassment retires unpunished
A senior official at the Environmental Protection Agency was suspected of having spent 10 years sexually harassing more than a dozen women. But when investigators uncovered the accusations and confronted the man, he retired without any disciplinary action. Published February 3, 2015
Obama budget dedicates $14B to cybersecurity
The Obama administration aims to ramp up the federal government's cybersecurity arsenal, requesting nearly $14 billion in its 2016 budget proposal — about $1 billion more than in previous budgets — to combat what many have come to view as an increasingly significant weakness in American security and infrastructure. Published February 2, 2015
Justice Dept. hopes new programs will cut down on prison populations
With the nation's prison population in decline — albeit slowly — the Justice Department is hoping they can continue the trend with an additional $217 million in funding to combat recidivism. Published February 2, 2015
Frank Lloyd Wright buildings first U.S. submission for modern architecture
The U.S. will nominate 10 buildings designed by late architect Frank Lloyd Wright to be world heritage sites, the first submission the nation will make in the field of modern architecture. Published January 30, 2015
Loretta Lynch called competent for attorney general, so Republicans turn criticism to Eric Holder
Despite their questions about the Obama administration's immigration policies and government overreach, Republican senators acknowledged Thursday that attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch is experienced and independent enough to lead the Justice Department and said she is likely to be confirmed. Published January 29, 2015
Eric Holder says Justice Dept. must combat human trafficking better
Attorney General Eric Holder called upon the Justice Department Thursday to "redouble our efforts" in fighting human trafficking. Published January 29, 2015
Loretta Lynch confirmation hearing: AG nominee defends Obama immigration policies
President Obama's nominee for attorney general argued Wednesday that she believes the president's executive actions on immigration are legal, rejecting the notion that they were an attempt to provide unilateral amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants. Published January 28, 2015
Loretta Lynch confirmation hearing: Electronic privacy, protection will be priority
If confirmed as the nation's next attorney general, Loretta Lynch is likely to spend most of her time in cyberspace. Published January 28, 2015
Sen. Patrick Leahy: Focus on Loretta Lynch’s credentials during confirmation
The top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee urged his colleagues to remain focused on the credentials of the president's nominee to be the next Attorney General. Published January 28, 2015
Loretta Lynch confirmation hearing: Grassley wants answers for Justice Dept. issues
There's a lot to answer for at the Justice Department, and members of Congress want to hear how the president's nominee to be the next attorney general will deal with the controversial issues, said Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican. Published January 28, 2015
Loretta Lynch similarities to Eric Holder a red flag for Republicans
Republican lawmakers plan to grill U.S. attorney general nominee Loretta Lynch on Wednesday on everything from her position on President Obama's immigration amnesty to how she would pursue the Justice Department's investigation into the IRS targeting of tea party groups. Published January 27, 2015
White House drone crash raises safety, regulation questions
The crash of a drone into the White House lawn Monday morning shows the need for improved policy and education about the use of the devices, experts said. Published January 26, 2015
FBI nabs member of Russian spy ring in New York City
FBI officials said they arrested a member of a Russian spy ring Monday that had been operating in New York City since 2010. Published January 26, 2015
TSA shouldn’t keep report information away from public, watchdog says
The Transportation Security Agency went too far by trying to keep information away from the public, a top federal watchdog said. Published January 26, 2015
U.S. computer specialist pleads guilty to espionage
A former computer specialist at a U.S. military base in Honduras pleaded guilty to espionage charges that he attempted to steal classified information, the Justice Department announced Friday. Published January 23, 2015
N.Y. police officer gets 15 months for beating handcuffed suspect
A New York police officer will serve 15 months in prison for beating a handcuffed man in his custody, the Justice Department announced Friday. Published January 23, 2015
Annapolis mansion fire aftermath: Fire crews looking for two more bodies
Anne Arundel County fire officials said they expect to find two more bodies in the rubble of a 16,000-square-foot Annapolis mansion that burned down in the early hours of Monday morning. Published January 23, 2015
Sheldon Silver charged with corruption
A longtime Democratic power broker in New York state politics was arrested Thursday on corruption charges that accuse him of using his position as Assembly speaker to get more than $4 million in kickbacks and contributing to a "show-me-the-money" political culture. Published January 22, 2015
States look to set up independent boards to review police misconduct
Lawmakers in several states are pushing to establish independent review boards that would have control of all investigations over fatal incidents that involve police officers, a move that many police advocacy groups are calling a mistake. Published January 22, 2015
Annapolis mansion fire leaves two dead; four people still unaccounted for
Two bodies so far have been recovered from the site of an Annapolis fire, but crews are still sorting through the rubble, a spokesman said Thursday. Published January 22, 2015
