department of justice

April 8, 2013 - The New Orleans mayor is fighting a consent degree aimed at improving the abysmal conditions inside the Orleans Parish Prison, arguing it would adversely affect people who aren't incarcerated. But in a city that incarcerates more of its residents than anywhere else in the world, will this "us vs. them" strategy work?

February 27, 2013 - Today the Supreme Court will hear arguments challenging Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. Here's why it matters.

February 26, 2013 - BP could be on the hook for as much as $21 billion in fines for its 2010 Gulf oil spill disaster. An effective investment strategy would address both environmental and economic interests.

February 12, 2013 - Last week, the Obama administration formalized the legal standard it has used to enforce fair housing laws and hold banks accountable for discriminating against minorities. Here's an overview of key cases from the foreclosure crisis.

February 8, 2013 - Some New Orleanians may be laughing about Sunday night's blackout during the Super Bowl, but Rosana Cruz is infuriated by the overblown language about what amounted to a minor inconvenience given the very serious problems the city and Louisiana faces.

January 29, 2013 - In New Orleans today, a federal judge approved a deal allowing BP to plead guilty to manslaughter and other charges related to the Gulf disaster in exchange for a $4 billion fine, probation and monitoring. Some of the company's victims objected to the deal including Cherri Foytlin, who explained her reasons in this letter to the judge.

January 23, 2013 - The North Carolina-based banking giant, including two companies acquired in 2008, has done so much harm in the mortgage and mortgage-backed securities markets that banishment would be the appropriate punishment -- yet it is taking a new run at the U.S. mortgage business.