In this week’s TheNewspaper.com Roundup!
–TN Judge questions Legality of Driver’s License Suspensions–
–Dallas School Bus Cam Scandal continues–
–PA Supremes fine Toll Road $3.2 M–
Friday, April 6, 2018
Tennessee: Judge Questions License Suspension Legality
A federal judge last week suggested she was likely to strike down a Tennessee law allowing driver’s licenses to be revoked for financial reasons. For the past seven years the state has pulled the right to drive away from anyone failing to pay court debt — whether arising from an unpaid speeding ticket or court costs that have nothing to do with driving.
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Second Guilty Plea In Texas School Bus Camera Bribery Scandal
The former head of the Dallas County, Texas Schools on Tuesday decided to plead guilty to accepting $3 million in bribes related to the use of school bus ticket cameras. Ricky Dale Sorrells, 62, accepted kickbacks from the camera vendor, Force Multiplier Solutions, in return for his help in securing the lucrative $70 million photo enforcement contract.
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Texas Lobbyist Kills Camera Ban With Family Ties
A lobbyist for red-light camera vendor American Traffic Solutions (ATS) used her insider connection to a top lawmaker to torpedo a proposed ban on photo ticketing, according to an ethics complaint filed earlier this year by the Texas Campaign for Liberty. In a letter sent this week, the Texas Elections Commission announced its decision to forgive the lobbyist, Mia McCord.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Fines Toll Road $3.2 Million
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court last week ordered the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to pay a $3.2 million judgment to compensate an employee fired in 2008 for exposing pay-to-play corruption at the toll road enterprise. Ralph M. Bailets earned $95,000 a year as the manager responsible for preparing accurate financial reports for the turnpike until he was laid off in 2005.
Monday, April 2, 2018
Rhode Island, France, Italy, UK: Speed Cameras Out Of Action
Vigilantes struck the speed cameras in Providence, Rhode Island last week Sunday. Black spraypaint was used to keep the cameras on Charles Street and Thurber Avenue from issuing citations, but, according to the Stop Elorza’s Cash Cams group, a team was sent out first thing Monday morning last week to restore the automated ticketing machines.
