In brief: Pro-business groups fight Obama picks
Washington – Two pro-business advocacy groups on Friday filed the first legal challenge to President Barack Obama’s recent recess appointments, asking a federal judge to find them unconstitutional.
The National Federation of Independent Business and the National Right to Work Foundation argue Obama cannot legally bypass the Senate to appoint three new members of the National Labor Relations Board, an agency that referees labor-management disputes.
The groups made the argument in a motion in federal district court in Washington, D.C., as part of an ongoing lawsuit against the labor board for requiring businesses to put up posters telling workers about their right to form a union.
Monsignor admits stealing from church
Las Vegas – For years, Msgr. Kevin McAuliffe lived something of a double life.
He was widely admired by his flock at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, which he helped build into one of the largest Roman Catholic parishes in the Las Vegas area. But at the same time, he was stealing money from the church.
Over nearly a decade, he pocketed about $650,000. His motive was all too familiar in Nevada. McAuliffe was a gambling addict.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan sentenced the priest, who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the thefts, to more than three years in prison and ordered him to pay restitution. In doing so, the judge waved off the defense’s request to give McAuliffe probation.
Cowbell-shaking protester arrested
Oshkosh, Wis. – Demonstrators calling for the recall of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker learned there really is such a thing as too much cowbell.
Oshkosh police arrested a 26-year-old Appleton man on Thursday after he kept playing a cowbell and shaking it in an officer’s face when he and other protesters were told to be quiet.
The Oshkosh Northwestern reported that when the officer tried to take the cowbell, the man pushed the officer.
Police will recommend that the man be charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.