Cleveland

Contractor testifies he bribed congressman

A paving contractor testified Wednesday that he paid Rep. James Traficant Jr. $2,400 in cash for the congressman’s help setting up a meeting with a railroad he wanted to do business with.

Traficant, a nine-term Democrat from northeast Ohio, is on trial for allegedly helping businessmen in exchange for gifts and free labor and taking kickbacks in money and free labor from staff members. He has denied the allegations.

James Sabatine, former owner of Hardrive Paving and Construction Co., said he paid Traficant rather than have his employees work at Traficant’s horse farm.

“I figured I’d be better off just giving him $2,400,” testified Sabatine.

Outside the courthouse Wednesday evening, Traficant said “Mr. Sabatine is lying.” He has repeatedly said he went to bat for any business or other constituents who asked for help but never accepted bribes.

New Mexico

Psychologists allowed to prescribe drugs

New Mexico has become the first state to let psychologists prescribe drugs for mental illness, a move lamented by some physicians.

Supporters of the legislation, signed Tuesday by Gov. Gary Johnson, argued that the change would help expand mental health services, particularly in rural areas of New Mexico.

In many states, only physicians  that is, those holding a medical degree  and nurse practitioners with special training can prescribe drugs. Psychiatrists hold medical degrees. Psychologists generally hold Ph.D.’s or master’s degrees, not medical degrees.

Maryland

FBI apologizes for errant shooting

The FBI apologized Wednesday for shooting an unarmed man during a search for a bank robber as a lawmaker called for a thorough investigation of the incident.

“Let me express our sincere sorrow for this unfortunate accident,” said Lynne Hunt, the agent in charge of the FBI’s Baltimore office. “We will do everything necessary to complete a full investigation of the facts.”

Joseph Schultz, 20, was wounded by an agent with a rifle Friday after the car Schultz’s girlfriend was driving was pulled over in Pasadena, about 12 miles south of Baltimore. His attorney said Schultz may have been shot while reaching for his seat belt after he was ordered from the car.

Schultz remained hospitalized Wednesday in serious condition with a shattered right cheek and jaw.

Arizona

Crews work to keep fire from bird preserve

An air tanker and helicopter crews pummeled a stubborn wildfire with water and retardant Wednesday, trying to keep the blaze from spreading into a renowned bird-watching preserve in southeastern Arizona.

On the ground, some 200 firefighters cut fire lines and planned to set backfires to deprive the 1,000-acre blaze of fuel, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Joan Vasey in Tucson.

The wildfire was less than three miles from the 380-acre Ramsey Canyon Preserve, home to more than 170 species of birds, including up to 14 types of hummingbirds. Some homes are also tucked into the forest in scenic Ramsey Canyon.

Officials closed the preserve late Tuesday. Preserve manager Carol Lambert said she’s had only limited success notifying travelers of the closure.

“Most of these people are from out-of-state, and they’re either en route or already out here, and calling their number in Philadelphia doesn’t do much good,” she said.

Philadelphia

Judge orders removal of Ten Commandments

A federal judge Wednesday ordered county officials to remove an 82-year-old Ten Commandments plaque from a courthouse, calling it an unconstitutional display of the biblical text.

The 50-inch-by-39-inch bronze plaque at the Chester County Courthouse is inscribed with a version of the Ten Commandments from the King James version of the Bible, used by Protestants.

The ruling came after a two-day trial that included testimony from theological scholars and members of the Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia, which describes itself as a group of atheists, agnostics, humanists and others.

County officials said they would consider an appeal.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a case on whether displays of the Ten Commandments violate the separation of church and state.