Democrats take Justice Department to court over US Attorney firing FOIA request News
Democrats take Justice Department to court over US Attorney firing FOIA request

[JURIST] The Democratic National Committee (DNC) [party website] filed a federal lawsuit [complaint, PDF] against the US Department of Justice [official website] Thursday, seeking the disclosure and release of DOJ records in accordance with the DNC's March 19, 2007 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request [PDF text] involving the controversial firing of eight US attorneys [JURIST news archive]. The complaint alleges that the DOJ has failed to respond to the Freedom of Information Act [DOJ materials] request within the twenty working days, as required under the act, and has also failed to provide the DNC "any written notice of any extension of that time limit."

Last Tuesday, a White House spokesperson said that several emails that fall within the Senate Judiciary Committee's document requests appear to be lost [ABC report]. At least 21 White House staffers used email accounts provided by the Republican National Committee (RNC) [party website] to avoid liability under the Hatch Act [backgrounder], which prohibits the use of government resources for political purposes. Other laws, however, prohibit staffers from failing to preserve presidential records. The White House said Saturday that it would cooperate with the committee in choosing an independent consultant to recover lost administration emails [JURIST report]. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

US spy Nathan Hale executed in New York

US spy Nathan Hale was executed on September 22, 1776 after he was captured by British forces during the American Revolutionary War. Hale went to British-occupied New York City to gather intelligence on military operations. He was captured and executed within a month, purportedly declaring "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" before his death at the age of 21. Learn more from the American Battlefield Trust.

Eight executed for witchcraft in Salem

On September 22, 1692, two men and six women were executed for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts. Read more about the Salem witchcraft trials in JURIST's Famous Trials series.

Queen Victoria becomes the longest-reigning monarch in UK history

On September 22, 1896, Queen Victoria became the longest-reigning monarch in English history. One of the country's most successful rulers, Victoria oversaw the expansion of the British Empire to its greatest height of power during her reign of 63 years and 7 months. Read Victoria's speeches to the British Parliament from Archive.org.