News For Public Officials . . . Get the Newsletter - It's FREE 

Man Wins $5.6M in Database Error Lawsuit Against County

Prince George's County Maryland will have to anti-up more than five million dollars to atone for a database error from 2007 that caused an innocent man to be arrested in D.C. and spend five days in jail in 2009 . . . read more

Election Coordinator Arrested:

Clerk Struggles With Early Voting

The first day of early voting is always a busy time for county clerks but in Brazos County Texas it's even more difficult after the arrest of the election coordinator in August . . . continue reading

Iowa County Clerk Arrested for Same-Sex Marriage Scam

Grundy County Iowa Deputy Clerk of Court Brigitte Van Nice has been arrested on charges she forged signatures on an Iowa marriage certificate for two men in Florida in a cyberspace marriage scam . . .

Police Investigate Undercover Video of Virginia State Rep's Son

Police in Arlington County, Va., have launched a criminal probe to investigate an undercover video of the son of Virginia State Rep. Jim Moran. The video allegedly catches Patrick Moran discussing ways to commit voter fraud by using bogus utility bills for identification. Decide for yourself . . . watch the video

Cities and Counties Brace for Property-Tax Amendment

Florida's cities and counties are bracing for the loss of an estimated $1 billion in property taxes if voters approve a state constitutional amendment while supporters say taxpayers, homeowners and job seekers will be the big winners . . . learn what the amendment does

Indicted Clerk Defies Judge

Former Shelby County TN General Sessions Court Clerk Otis Jackson was supposed to enter into an agreement with prosecutors and get diversion which would have wiped official misconduct charges off his record. Instead, Jackson's defiance will force the case to trial . . . read more

Police Investigate Undercover Video of State Rep's Son for Possible Voter Fraud

Police in Arlington County, Va., have launched a criminal probe to investigate the voter fraud controversy swirling around an undercover video of the son of Virginia State Representative Jim Moran . . . read more and watch video

FCC Proposal to Expand Internet Taxes Tabled

The Federal Communications Commission has withdrawn a proposal to tax broadband internet service after a public outcry over the issue. The proposal, filed earlier this year would have allowed taxes on text messages and cell phone usage as well as increased taxes on internet services . . . read more

Contra Costa District Attorney Faces Federal Political Retaliation Lawsuits

Two more lawyers are suing District Attorney Mark Peterson in federal suits that claim he retaliated against them for supporting his opponent in the 2010 election . . . Read More

Its not premeditated attacks by hackers, but "stupidity and negligence" on the part of federal, state and local agencies that is at the core of most  breaches, putting more and more of us at risk with each passing year according to a recent report in ABC News.

Drew County Circuit Clerk Faces Criminal Charges

Following a report by the Arkansas Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, Drew County Circuit Clerk Pat Savage Montgomery is facing criminal charges alleging she stole $18,253 . . . read more

Offbeat

Jealous Husband Accused of Assaulting Wife Over Romney Photo

A Tennessee man has been charged with domestic assault in connection with an incident in which he allegedly punched his girlfriend over a Facebook photo of presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

 . . watch the video

Convicted Public Official Just Can't Catch a Break

Former Wayne County Clerk Melissa Turpin was given a break in 2009 when she served only 60 days jail time of a ten-year sentence for stealing $140,000. Last month she was arrested again on felony charges alleging she forged the signature of Pulaski County Clerk Ralph Troxtell earlier this year . . . read more

Official Blunders

One Million Records Missing From Tarrant County Site

One in twelve records were missing from Tarrant County Website from March 2012 to September 2012 following concerns suspects arrested in New Mexico on drug charges may have mined personal data from records on county websites nationwide to create false identities. Nearly a million records were missing from the Tarrant County Website according to Tarrant County Clerk Mary Louise Garcia . . . read more

Suspended County Judge to Remain Highest Paid Official in Aransas County

Suspended Aransas County Court-at-Law Judge William Adams will get a slight pay cut but he'll remain the county's highest-paid elected official in spite of video of his daughters beating . . .  Read more and watch the video

County Subscription Websites Illegal

The Ohio State Auditors office has determined that charging a fee to access "free" online public records is a violation of Ohio law. As a result, the Auditors office is closely monitoring and investigating the practices of Ohio Counties that publish public records online . . . Read More

Financial analysts are struggling to understand why Texas has fared so much better than other states during the housing crises. Some analysts are beginning to realize the answer dates back to before Texas was a state and its founder, Stephen F. Austin wanted homeowners to be protected from the greed exhibited by lenders of the time . . . read more

After months of ethics, drug and corruption charges in Mobile County Alabama, A Baldwin County Grand Jury indicts Mobile County Commissioner Steve Nogile in the shooting death of his former girlfriend, Angel Downs. Video clips outline the accused commissioner's problems with the law.

Secret Tax Break for Politicians

Do lawmakers get special tax breaks for NOT working?

Special Federal tax break allows state lawmakers in every state to take big bucks off their tax bill. Video shows how lawmakers use the little-known law.

A Lakewood Ohio man is surrounded by police at gunpoint, but the man looking down the police gun barrel isn’t a criminal. He is a victim of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles providing his ID to a wanted murderer. Now the state says there is nothing he can do about it.

Tax Credit Helps Small Employers Provide Health Insurance Coverage

WASHINGTON ― Many small businesses and tax-exempt organizations that provide health insurance coverage to their employees now qualify for a special tax credit, according to the Internal Revenue Service. . .

$1500 Tax Credit For Making Your Home Energy Efficient

Some common home improvement projects now come with an added incentive: a tax credit.

The money you save in heating and cooling costs by replacing drafty windows and doors, and insulating your home is often enough incentive to get these home projects crossed off your "to do" list. But with government tax incentives in place . . .

Isolated, secluded, steeped in history and rich in tradition -- these counties are the least populated and most isolated Cities and towns in America

Official Corruption

County Clerk Steals $140K Gets 60 Days Jail

The county clerk in Wayne County, Kentucky has pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $140,000 during her first two years in office. The Plea deal gives her 60 days in jail and ten years probation under house arrest.

Homeland Security: 90% of U.S. Border Unsecured

The recently released Department of Homeland Security’s Annual Performance Report reveals how little control the United States actually has over its land and sea borders, despite the 9/11Commission’s report citing uncontrolled borders as a threat to homeland security.

Tax Lady Roni Deutch explains IRS wage garnishments and how taxpayers can get them released.

from www.SourceOfTitle.com

Patrick O'Malley, the former recorder for Cuyahoga County, Ohio was recently released from federal prison and will complete his sentence in a Cincinnati halfway house. According to federal officials, he is scheduled to be released from the halfway house on November 3, 2009.

Elected officials who publish private information contained in Public Records on their websites cannot rely on official immunity as a defense according to a recent Ohio appeals court ruling.