The First Amendment declares that Congress shall "make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech." In 1918, the Sedition Act was passed, prohibiting U.S. citizens from "convey(ing) false reports or false statements" that tainted the image of the government and military during times of war. The sentiment driving the Sedition Act remains, though - right here, right now, says columnist Sierra Mision. ...more

November 7, 2009

The victims were as old as 91 and their losses could add up to nearly $20 million. ...more

October 26, 2009

The number of witnesses to be deposed and the recent filing of new charges out of Polk County will prevent the case against former Sebring Chamber CEO Dan Andrews from going to trial in December. ...more

October 23, 2009

A broker for a Tampa mortgage company has agreed to plead guilty to federal conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for falsifying information on mortgage applications. Gilberto Jesus Lima, a licensed mortgage broker, worked for Mortgage Corporation of America when he was supposed to pair qualified borrowers with lenders, according to his plea agreement. For his work, he received a commission of 70 percent of fees, while his employer received 30 percent. ...more

August 12, 2009

A former Department of Children & Families employee was sentenced today to two years of probation for lying to investigators to help his friend, former DCF spokesman Al Zimmerman. ...more

June 2, 2009

Former County Commissioner Brian Blair filed a libel lawsuit today against the opponent who ousted him in the November election, saying lies spread in the campaign exposed him to hatred, contempt and ridicule. ...more

March 11, 2009

Bernard Madoff will plead guilty Thursday to 11 criminal counts including money laundering, perjury and securities, mail and wire fraud and will do so without a plea deal, knowing it carries a potential prison term of 150 years, lawyers said today in court. ...more

March 10, 2009

A former Department of Children & Families employee pleaded guilty today to lying to investigators to help his friend, former DCF spokesman Al Zimmerman. ...more

March 5, 2009

An accountant who submitted false statements to a bank so he could get loans for his business and his clients was sentenced today in federal court to one year and a day in prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. ...more

February 25, 2009

The chief officer of a Korean cargo ship that dumped oily waste into the ocean has agreed to plead guilty to federal criminal charges that he concealed the polluting in ship records. ...more

February 16, 2009