Fake Robocalls Confusing VA Voters
Earlier today, the Virginia State Board of Elections received complaints from voters in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia questioning automated calls telling registered voters their polling location had changed...when it hadn't. Some voters who received the pre-recorded call notified election officials.
In response, the Board of Elections sent out a notice advising voters not to trust unsolicited calls, "Voters receiving automated calls that provide voting locations should double check the information by contacting their local registrar's office or visiting the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov."
Reached later this afternoon, the Board of Elections says the calls were made by some "well meaning individuals" in the Democratic Party.
In response, the Board of Elections sent out a notice advising voters not to trust unsolicited calls, "Voters receiving automated calls that provide voting locations should double check the information by contacting their local registrar's office or visiting the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov."
Reached later this afternoon, the Board of Elections says the calls were made by some "well meaning individuals" in the Democratic Party.
New Details On Palin Shopping
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
The rush purchases were made starting Labor Day weekend immediately after Palin was named as a running mate for John McCain. If the purchases had not been made in such a short period of time, stylists could have saved between 20 to 50 percent off the retail costs through industry discounts. These kinds of shopping excursions are not unusual for high profile figures where, for example, stylists will typically buy three sizes and three different styles of a sweater and later return excess clothes.
However, CBS News has learned the $150,000 includes deductions for clothes that were returned, meaning the total cost of the shopping excursions exceeded $150,000. The accessories and clothing did not include jewelry or watches.
Continue »
Life In Wasilla
(AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)
Standing outside of the sports bar Tailgaters, a few residents commented as a reporter walked away, "Where did he say he was from. France?"
But the Palin buzz does not seem to be infecting the town with the same inexhaustible, panicked frenzy shown by the media. When one Wasilla High School student was asked this morning if she knew her school's most famous hockey player, Levi Johnston, the father of Bristol Palin's unborn child, she responded, "Who's that?"
Holly Gittlein, a popular local sculptor whose leather jacket and jewelry is more East Village than Alaskan wilderness has her own explanation. "Its moose hunting season," said Gittlein who just returned from a moose trip herself. She feels the media is making the Palin story into a reality TV show, "It's offensive," she said.
The local Rotary Club, which boasts Sarah Palin as one of its lifetime members, meets each week at the back entrance of Evangelo's Italian restaurant. This week's program kicked off with a welcome from the president David Johnston, a cheerful, strapping Alaskan with a blond ponytail hanging down his back. He hailed Wasilla as, "home of the next Vice President!" and he got a few claps and cheers from the crowd of about 50.
But overall, despite a few nods of pride in their hometown hero, Palin's fellow Rotarians had more important things to discuss. There were the family weddings to talk about, kids going off to school and many people were discussing how happy they were for more chances to go snow-machining and four wheeling. And rather than offer endless plaudits on the Wasilla resident who would later speak that night on national television, the Rotarians chose to praise the speakers at their meeting...a group of developmentally disabled young adults who spoke about how the local program known as Next Step is helping them transition to jobs and independence.
And most of all those gathered were eager to gush about why they love where they live.
"The mountains here, they bring the awe to me," said Sarah Welton Matsu-Borough School Board District President. "I came here in '83 and I knew it was home."
Welton says she won't be voting for Palin, "My car is covered with Obama stickers." She blames the former mayor for politicizing small town elections and says after Palin she would get calls during her school board campaigns from residents asking if she was pro-life. "That never used to happen," she said.
Johnston, the brawny Rotarian president announced mid-way through the program that he would have to leave early and handed over the gavel. Interview with NPR? Quick conversation with CNN? Nope. Just a first grade field trip.
Who Visits the Clintons?
Last fall after questions regarding former President Bill Clinton's business dealings came to light, CBS News sought to answer the question – who visits the Clinton's Chappaqua home? Since the former president has Secret Service protection, each visitor is public record.
The long-lost answer is no one but maintenance workers, maids and landscapers.
"How can they give this to you with a straight face?" says Chris Farrell of Judicial Watch who has been locked in his own battle with the Secret Service over White House visitor logs.
Continue »
The long-lost answer is no one but maintenance workers, maids and landscapers.
"How can they give this to you with a straight face?" says Chris Farrell of Judicial Watch who has been locked in his own battle with the Secret Service over White House visitor logs.
Continue »
Televangelist Invites IRS Scrutiny
(CBS)
The move appears to be an attempt to blunt the public and persistent investigation by Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee. But early indicators suggest the Senator will not be deterred. And tax experts say an IRS church tax inquiry and a Senate investigation do two different things. An IRS inquiry checks for illegal activity, while an oversight investigation looks at whether or not laws or policies need to change.
Copeland's letter to the IRS indicates that after an IRS inquiry is concluded, documents could be shared with the Senator's staff.
However, all financial details would remain private.
Continue »
Televangelist Update
A Florida televangelist is facing charges of domestic violence.
The Bay County Florida Sheriff's Office posted an incident report alleging that Markus Bishop of the Faith Christian Family Church punched his wife "in the left eye with a closed fist" on March 16th. Bishop's attorney Waylon Graham says his client "did not intentionally punch his wife" but claims she was intoxicated and was "flailing away at him." Graham says Bishop will submit a plea of not guilty at his upcoming arraignment. Bishop's church issued a statement saying, "We are saddened by the recent incidents involving our pastors."
Bishop's home in Florida has been involved in an ongoing tax assessor dispute. County authorities challenged the tax-exempt status of his estimated five million dollar home saying that Bishop should pay property taxes.
Continue »
The Bay County Florida Sheriff's Office posted an incident report alleging that Markus Bishop of the Faith Christian Family Church punched his wife "in the left eye with a closed fist" on March 16th. Bishop's attorney Waylon Graham says his client "did not intentionally punch his wife" but claims she was intoxicated and was "flailing away at him." Graham says Bishop will submit a plea of not guilty at his upcoming arraignment. Bishop's church issued a statement saying, "We are saddened by the recent incidents involving our pastors."
Bishop's home in Florida has been involved in an ongoing tax assessor dispute. County authorities challenged the tax-exempt status of his estimated five million dollar home saying that Bishop should pay property taxes.
Continue »
Televangelists: Who's Accountable?
Churches don't have to file tax returns with the IRS, nor are they required to share audited financial statements describing their tax exempt dealings. They don't have to publish the names of their board of directors or respond to reporter's questions. Now, five televangelist ministries under investigation by Republican Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, have decided they don't need to be accountable to the U.S. Senate either.
So who is accountable?
Kenneth Copeland Ministries told Senate investigators that the church is only required to answer to the IRS and indicated they would welcome an IRS audit.
Continue »
So who is accountable?
Kenneth Copeland Ministries told Senate investigators that the church is only required to answer to the IRS and indicated they would welcome an IRS audit.
Continue »
Major Shakeup at Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University eliminated its entire Board of Regents last night declaring a new era of transparent governance and accountability for the financially troubled institution. The new Board of Trustees made up of educators and alumni is in sharp contrast to the old board which was dominated by high profile televangelists including Benny Hinn, Creflo Dollar, Jerry Savelle, Jesse Duplantis and Kenneth Copeland. Copeland's son-in-law George Pearsons served as the former head of the Business Board of Regents. Within the last few weeks, Hinn, Duplantis and Dollar left the board citing demands of their ministries.
The change came about in response to a highly influential donor, Tulsa philanthropist Mart Green, who offered a financial rescue of $70 million to the ailing institution on the condition that the university accept sweeping changes.
Green tells CBS News that the idea was to move away from an organization dominated by the founder to one of "shared governance." He also required that the university become a member of the independent Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), "I think it's important that we can say we are having someone from outside give a stamp of approval," Green told CBS.
Continue »
The change came about in response to a highly influential donor, Tulsa philanthropist Mart Green, who offered a financial rescue of $70 million to the ailing institution on the condition that the university accept sweeping changes.
Green tells CBS News that the idea was to move away from an organization dominated by the founder to one of "shared governance." He also required that the university become a member of the independent Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), "I think it's important that we can say we are having someone from outside give a stamp of approval," Green told CBS.
Continue »
Televangelist Investigation Update
At least one top televangelist is refusing to cooperate with an investigation by the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa. Last month, Senator Grassley issued letters to six ministries asking for detailed financial documents by December 6, 2007.
The ministries under scrutiny are: Paula and Randy White, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland Ministries. As the deadline for the investigation passed, Grassley's office indicated that responses varied.
-Creflo Dollar's attorney told Senator Grassley's staff that the Senator should get a subpoena or refer the issue to the Internal Revenue Service.
Continue »
The ministries under scrutiny are: Paula and Randy White, Creflo Dollar, Benny Hinn, Eddie Long, Joyce Meyer and Kenneth Copeland Ministries. As the deadline for the investigation passed, Grassley's office indicated that responses varied.
-Creflo Dollar's attorney told Senator Grassley's staff that the Senator should get a subpoena or refer the issue to the Internal Revenue Service.
Continue »
Chicago AG vs. R.J. Reynolds
This morning in Chicago eight state attorneys general announced they were filing a motion against R.J. Reynolds for violating the 1998 tobacco settlement by illegally marketing cigarettes to youth. The ad in question appeared in the Nov. 15 issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
But it's unclear just who's responsible for the content. The nine page ad foldout starts and ends with Camel cigarette ads that show support for independent rock labels. Sandwiched in-between the smoking ads is a cartoon fold out that promotes independent rock. The attorneys general say that's the problem - cartoons are for kids and shouldn't have anything to do with cigarette ads. R.J. Reynolds spokesman David Howard says while the company provided the bookends, they did not see or approve the inside cartoon pages. Howard says, "Rolling Stone came to us and said we're doing a special feature on indie rock and we said we have a Camel promo that is tied to indie rock."
The spokesperson for Rolling Stone, Beth Jacobson agrees with RJR. She says the tobacco company "never had input or approval of that." When asked if there were any discussions as to what kind of content would be appropriate next to a tobacco ad, Jacobson replied, "not to my knowledge."
When the ad was revealed in mid-November it was quickly met with outrage from anti-tobacco advocates. Days later, R.J. Reynolds announced it would voluntarily pull all print advertising for 2008. But RJR spokesman Howard says the decision to cancel print ads was unrelated to the Rolling Stone issue noting that the attorneys general were notified in October that print ads would be pulled.
Regardless of RJR's future marketing plans, the attorneys general of Illinois, California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington say the Rolling Stone ad "uses cartoon characters to promote Camel cigarettes." And Matthew Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids adds, "If R.J. Reynolds and Rolling Stone are allowed to get away with this type of advertising it will undermine the tobacco settlement's entire ban on these cartoon characters."
But it's unclear just who's responsible for the content. The nine page ad foldout starts and ends with Camel cigarette ads that show support for independent rock labels. Sandwiched in-between the smoking ads is a cartoon fold out that promotes independent rock. The attorneys general say that's the problem - cartoons are for kids and shouldn't have anything to do with cigarette ads. R.J. Reynolds spokesman David Howard says while the company provided the bookends, they did not see or approve the inside cartoon pages. Howard says, "Rolling Stone came to us and said we're doing a special feature on indie rock and we said we have a Camel promo that is tied to indie rock."
The spokesperson for Rolling Stone, Beth Jacobson agrees with RJR. She says the tobacco company "never had input or approval of that." When asked if there were any discussions as to what kind of content would be appropriate next to a tobacco ad, Jacobson replied, "not to my knowledge."
When the ad was revealed in mid-November it was quickly met with outrage from anti-tobacco advocates. Days later, R.J. Reynolds announced it would voluntarily pull all print advertising for 2008. But RJR spokesman Howard says the decision to cancel print ads was unrelated to the Rolling Stone issue noting that the attorneys general were notified in October that print ads would be pulled.
Regardless of RJR's future marketing plans, the attorneys general of Illinois, California, Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington say the Rolling Stone ad "uses cartoon characters to promote Camel cigarettes." And Matthew Myers of the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids adds, "If R.J. Reynolds and Rolling Stone are allowed to get away with this type of advertising it will undermine the tobacco settlement's entire ban on these cartoon characters."
Committee To Hold Hearing on Veteran Suicide In Response To CBS News Report
U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Bob Filner, D-Calif., told CBS News today that his committee would hold a hearing in early December, tentatively scheduled for Dec. 13, to look into the issue of veteran suicides, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the mental health needs of veterans.
Earlier this week the CBS News Investigative Unit revealed new data that shows more than 120 Americans who served in the military committed suicide each week in 2005.
Filner said his committee was unable to get information about veteran suicides: "We have been asking for this material for a few years now and haven't gotten anything, so we are going to make that a key part of the hearing."
Filner expressed frustration with Department of Veterans Affairs officials who promised him they would get him suicide numbers, but never did.
Earlier this week the CBS News Investigative Unit revealed new data that shows more than 120 Americans who served in the military committed suicide each week in 2005.
Filner said his committee was unable to get information about veteran suicides: "We have been asking for this material for a few years now and haven't gotten anything, so we are going to make that a key part of the hearing."
Filner expressed frustration with Department of Veterans Affairs officials who promised him they would get him suicide numbers, but never did.
A Tale Of Phantom Fuel Deliveries
on an alleged fuel fraud scheme at Bagram air base in Afghanistan was based on a tip and this complaint. According to court documents, authorities arrested two former Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR) employees in early October. The two men are Wallace A. Ward and James N. Sellman both from Virginia. The charges paint them as small players in a larger scheme that cost the U.S. government millions of dollars.
Ward and Sellman allegedly became involved in the scheme with another KBR employee – court documents refer to this person as R.L. and indicate R.L. had an unnamed "associate". One source says Afghani fuel delivery drivers were also involved in the scam.
Here is how authorities say the plan worked: Red Star Enterprises – a British fuel company was in charge of delivering aircraft fuel to Bagram. Once on base, KBR employees were responsible for signing receipts that proved how much fuel was received. Receipts were then submitted to the U.S. government by Red Star for payment.
Continue »
Ward and Sellman allegedly became involved in the scheme with another KBR employee – court documents refer to this person as R.L. and indicate R.L. had an unnamed "associate". One source says Afghani fuel delivery drivers were also involved in the scam.
Here is how authorities say the plan worked: Red Star Enterprises – a British fuel company was in charge of delivering aircraft fuel to Bagram. Once on base, KBR employees were responsible for signing receipts that proved how much fuel was received. Receipts were then submitted to the U.S. government by Red Star for payment.
Continue »
Missing Weapons
(CBS)
On July 24, 2006, Captain Victor Noe was riding in a taxi in Cebu City, Philippines. A news account of his death indicates that when Noe and his wife exited the taxi, a gunman on a motorcycle shot them both. Noe died, but his wife survived and remains in the Philippines. At the time, local officials said they had no information about a possible motive.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CBS News that Noe may have been connected to one of the contractors that is under investigation for storing the weapons in Iraq that later went missing. The Department of Veterans Affairs records indicate Noe was 60 years old at the time of his death. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Continue »
Gambling and Restless Legs
(CBS/AP)
Requip was approved in May 2005 and since then has been heavily advertised. In 2006, according to Med Ad News, GlaxoSmithKline spent $108 million advertising the drug, making it the 16th most advertised pharmaceutical in America. Figures are not yet available on the Mirapex advertising budget for RLS.
In addition to more public warnings about the gambling side effect, there are also new lawsuits filed by people who claim they have gambled away their nest eggs after they began to take drugs in this class, known as dopamine agonists.
Continue »
Medicare Advantage: From the Frontlines
(CBS/AP)
"Beneficiaries are not comfortable with saying no," Kristen Barge of Georgia's SHIP office. "They're a trusting generation. These people just want someone to talk to. So somebody calls them, sits with them and suddenly they are in a new plan."
Other SHIP counselors say the complexity of the new privatized plans have overwhelmed some seniors who on average have 41 plans to choose from.
Continue »
- no previous page
- Next
1 / 4
