Jose Garcia
Jose Garcia's JournalScranton mayor resigns, faces charges of extortion, bribery
Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The mayor of Scranton used his office to extort bribes from people who did business with the city, federal prosecutors said in documents filed Monday, shortly after the second-term chief executive announced his resignation.
In a plea agreement signed last week by now-former Mayor Bill Courtright and his lawyer, the U.S. attorney’s office said the Democrat pressured people who needed permits or contracts for cash, sometimes having them funnel it to him through intermediaries.
The criminal information that charges him with bribery, extortion and conspiracy said Courtright, 61, used his position “corruptly to obtain cash and other valuable property from others, with their consent, under color of official right.”
They said he also obtained “cash, campaign contributions and other valuable property from others, with their consent, induced by the wrongful use of fear of economic harm.”
Read more: https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/mc-nws-pa-scranton-mayor-resigning-20190701-trmb72epzvcebotz72jtubvrji-story.html
Nuclear monitor confirms Iran exceeds uranium stockpile limit
Source: The Hill
The international organization that monitors Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal confirmed Monday that Tehran has exceeded the amount of low-enriched uranium it is allowed to stockpile.
“In response to media inquiries, we can confirm that IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano today informed the Board of Governors that the Agency verified on 1 July that Iran’s total enriched uranium stockpile exceeded 300kg of UF6 enriched up to 3.67% U-235 (or the equivalent in different chemical forms),” the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said in a statement.
The IAEA’s confirmation comes after Iranian state media reported that Iran had breached the 300 kilogram limit.
The verification that Iran has breached the nuclear deal for the first time adds even greater uncertainty to an already volatile situation between the United States and Iran. Less than two weeks ago, President Trump called off a military strike against Iran at the last minute that was meant to respond to it shooting down a U.S. drone.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/451149-nuclear-monitor-confirms-iran-exceeds-uranium-stockpile-limit
Pennsylvania state official launches Democratic challenge to GOP rep in district carried by Trump
Source: The Hill
Pennsylvania's Auditor General Eugene DePasquale (D) officially launched a campaign to challenge Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) on Monday, setting up what could be a contentious 2020 battle in the state's 10th congressional district.
If he wins the Democratic primary, DePasquale would present a formidable challenge to Perry. The district went for President Trump in 2016 but that same year DePasquale won his reelection bid for auditor general.
Pennsylvania Democrats have expressed optimism about the district since it was redrawn following the state Supreme Court's ruling that the previous lines had been gerrymandered to benefit Republicans.
DePasquale's candidacy is another sign that Pennsylvania Democrats are getting in an offensive position after Trump flipped the state red in 2016.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/451199-pennsylvania-state-official-launches-democratic-challenge-to-gop-rep-in
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