Justice Department

Jan 30, 2013

Next in BP spill saga: civil trial worth billions

Now that a $4 billion plea deal has resolved BP's criminal liability for the massive Gulf of Mexico oil spill nearly three years ago, the company will turn its focus to a trial that could potentially cost it billions of dollars more in civil penalties.

Jan 29, 2013

Judge OKs record $4B BP oil spill criminal settlement

A federal judge on Tuesday approved an agreement for BP PLC to plead guilty to manslaughter and other charges and pay a record $4 billion in criminal penalties for the company's role in the 2010 oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Jan 24, 2013

Court erases injunction against UW protester (UPDATE)

A Madison judge improperly issued a restraining order against a former legislator's son, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.

Jan 14, 2013

New federal law could fund DNA collection in state

Republicans scratching for a way to fund Gov. Walker's plan to collect DNA from suspects upon arrest may have a chance at extra dollars courtesy of Congress.

Dec 24, 2012

Wis. AG wants millions from agencies

The Wisconsin Justice Department wants to shift millions of dollars from schools, prisons, gang diversion programs and public defenders to pay for collecting DNA upon arrest and fund services for sexual assault victims.

Dec 18, 2012

Van Hollen says school shootings unpreventable

Wisconsin's top cop says the Connecticut school shootings may have been unpreventable.

Dec 17, 2012

Mistrial declared in case of watchdog group (UPDATE)

A judge declared a mistrial Monday in the case of a watchdog group accused of violating federal law when it shared a whistle-blower settlement with a government economist 14 years ago.

Dec 16, 2012

State Supreme Court to hear Johnson case in Feb.

Lawyers involved in the sexual assault case against Wisconsin billionaire Curt Johnson will argue before the Wisconsin Supreme Court in February.

Dec 9, 2012

Concealed-carry rules expire this week

The state Justice Department is preparing to enact a second round of emergency rules enabling the agency to issue concealed carry permits.

Oct 26, 2012

Alarm company agrees to settlement in Milwaukee County court

The Milwaukee County Circuit Court entered a consent judgment Sept. 12 by which the Utah alarm service company Vivint Inc., agreed to pay up to $148,000 in refunds to consumers who had been misled regarding their ability to cancel their alarm service contracts.

Oct 24, 2012

US sues B of A for $1B for mortgage fraud

The top federal prosecutor in Manhattan sued Bank of America for more than $1 billion on Wednesday for mortgage fraud against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac during the years around the financial crisis.

Oct 17, 2012

Supreme Court halts turnover of secret IRA tapes

The Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Boston College from turning interviews over to the government that academic researchers recorded with a former Irish Republic Army member.