Archive - Illinois
NYT: We 'Should Have Included' Source's Industry Ties in Our Gulf Oil Spill Story
In an editor's note, The New York Times has clarified the connections that a group called the Gulf of Mexico Foundation has to the oil industry. In its original reporting, the Times had identified the foundation simply as a conservation group.
Over 50 Homeowners Have Sued in the Last Year, Alleging a Communication Breakdown Led to Foreclosure
A Missouri man says Chase Home Finance sold his home after assuring him it would not. In a lawsuit, the man says he was mailed loan modification papers that were dated one day after the foreclosure.
Disorganization at Banks Causing Mistaken Foreclosures
Communication breakdowns within big banks has cause some people to lose their homes by mistake. The problems have occurred even to homeowners involved in the federal mortgage modification program.
Nonprofit Conservation Group Has Ties to Oil Interests, Gulf Oil Spill
An article in The New York Times about the scope of the BP oil disaster quoted the executive director of the nonprofit Gulf of Mexico Foundation. It did not mention that the group has some close connections to the oil industry.
Congressmen Raised Concerns About BP Safety Before Gulf Oil Spill
In a letter to a BP executive this year, Reps. Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak warned that the company's cost-cutting efforts could jeopardize safety. They cited four recent close calls at BP's operations in Alaska.
Oil Companies Pay a Pittance in Penalties to Offshore Drilling Regulator
The Minerals Management Service, which regulates offshore drilling, issues penalties for safety violations. But the fines in recent years have been dwarfed by the profits made by oil companies.
Report Finds Lamborghini-Driving "Small Business" Owners Defrauding Government Program
The Small Business Administration's 8(a) program is intended for companies whose owners are socially and economically disadvantaged. But a GAO report says the program is helping some owners who don't need it.
Are Federal Agencies Open? Audit Gives Mixed Grades
Agencies that should be leading the charge on transparency are among the weakest, an audit of open government plans says. Among the weakest plans, according to the audit, were Justice, which coordinates Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) reporting and training, and the OMB, which issued the directive requiring transparency plans.
Contrary to Citizens United Opinion, Campaign Contribution Records Lack Transparency
Tracing who gave money to candidates to attend the Springsteen fundraisers is nearly impossible, even with open campaign finance records, calling into question part of the Supreme Court’s rationale in ending corporate election spending limits.
