National Roundup

New York NYC insider trading witness gets probation NEW YORK (AP) -- A key government witness in what federal prosecutors bill as the largest hedge fund insider trading case in Wall Street history has been sentenced to probation. Former McKinsey & Co. director Anil Kumar received the sentence Thursday in federal court in Manhattan. Kumar had pleaded guilty. He agreed to testify at the high-profile trials of disgraced hedge fund titan Raj Rajaratnam (rahj rah-juh-RUHT'-nuhm) and former Goldman Sachs board member Rajat Gupta (rahj-AHT' GOOP'-tah). Both were convicted of insider trading charges accusing Gupta of feeding Goldman secrets to Rajaratnam. Prosecutors had told the judge in court papers that Kumar deserved leniency for his "significant, powerful, and timely cooperation." Gupta is from Westport, Conn. Rajaratnam is from Sri Lanka. They had denied the charges against them. Colorado No prison time for federal weapons conspirator DURANGO, Colo. (AP) -- A Colorado man who pleaded guilty to conspiring with a U.S. Navy SEAL to sell explosives and machine guns smuggled in from the Middle East has avoided prison time. The Durango Herald reports Richard Paul was sentenced Wednesday to eight months of home confinement after signing a plea agreement with the U.S. District Attorney's Office in Nevada. The Durango man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell firearms and explosives. As part of the plea agreement, Paul agreed to testify against Nicholas Bickle of San Diego. Bickle, a former Navy SEAL, was sentenced Tuesday to 17-1/2 years in prison after he was convicted of felony weapons charges, including dealing in stolen firearms. Federal and local authorities seized machine guns, grenades and five pounds of military C-4 explosive from Paul's garage in 2010. Pennsylvania Monsignor seeks probation in landmark case PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The first U.S. church official convicted of endangering children in the priest-abuse scandal hopes for a sentence of house arrest or probation. Monsignor William Lynn of Philadelphia awaits sentencing Tuesday. He's the former secretary for clergy at the city's Roman Catholic archdiocese, and handled priest assignments and abuse complaints. The 61-year-old Lynn faces up to seven years in prison after a jury convicted him last month of felony endangerment. But Lynn argues in a memo filed Thursday that most people serve far less time for that crime. Lynn has spent a month in prison since the verdict. He now seeks a term of house arrest, community service, work release or probation. Lynn plans to appeal his landmark conviction. Prosecutors are expected to seek the maximum prison term. California Court tells Disneyland to study Segway use SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A California appeals court says Disneyland must consider use of Segways by disabled people. Tina Baughman uses a two-wheeled Segway to get around because of a form of muscular dystrophy. Disneyland refused to allow her to use the Segway at the theme park, which allows disabled visitors to use wheelchairs and scooters, so she filed a lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act. The lower court ruled in favor of Disneyland. But the Los Angeles Times reports the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned the ruling, telling Disneyland that technology advances didn't end with the powered wheelchair. The San Francisco appeals court says Disney must show, based on actual risks, why Segways would be unsafe. Colorado Investigator holding out hope for JonBenet arrest BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- A former district attorney lead investigator on the JonBenet Ramsey murder case says he's still hoping the case will be solved. James Kolar has written a book saying evidence raises questions an intruder was responsible. According to the Boulder Daily Camera, Kolar doesn't say who he thinks killed JonBenet. The 6-year-old beauty queen was found dead in 1996. Police initially suspected family members, but a grand jury investigating the case was dismissed without indictments in 1999, citing a lack of evidence. Other investigators have said an unidentified intruder may have hidden in the house before the murder was committed. Pennsylvania Police: Mom changed her kids' grades NEW TRIPOLI, Pa. (AP) -- A Pennsylvania woman allegedly changed her children's grades after logging into a school computer system using passwords obtained when she worked for the district. Investigators say Catherine Venusto used the Northwestern Lehigh School District superintendent's password to change the grades. She was arraigned Wednesday on a half-dozen felony counts and released on bail. Officials say Venusto changed a failing grade to a medical exception for he daughter in 2010, when she was still a district secretary. The New Tripoli woman is also accused of bumping one of her son's grades from 98 to 99 percent in February. State police say Venusto admitted changing the grades, saying she thought her actions were unethical but not illegal. A phone listing for Venusto could not immediately be located Thursday. New York Court upholds horse trainer's 10-year ban ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- A New York court has upheld a Kentucky Derby-winning thoroughbred trainer's 10-year ban from the sport. In Thursday's ruling, the Appellate Division rejected trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s argument that his hearing was unfair or that the punishment is excessive considering his recent violations and disciplinary history. Dutrow's license was revoked by the New York Racing and Wagering Board in October, though he has been working under a court-ordered stay. The three-member board cited infractions including syringes containing a painkiller and sedative found in Dutrow's desk and a painkiller found in the urine of his horse Fastus Cactus in November 2010 after it won at Aqueduct Racetrack. The board also fined him $50,000. Calls to Dutrow and his attorney Michael Koenig weren't immediately returned. Published: Fri, Jul 20, 2012