LITTLE ROCK — Maureen O’Connor, 66, a former mayor of San Diego who admitted that she took $2.1 million from a charitable foundation and gambled it away over nine years, during which she wagered more than $1 billion, has pleaded innocent in federal court to money laundering under a deal that will allow her to defer prosecution for two years as she works to repay the money.
Emilio Mendoza, 27, a Stamford, Conn., man accused of biting off his cousin’s earlobe and swallowing it during a fight over loud music, has pleaded innocent to assault and other charges.
Sen. Frank Lautenberg, 89, a New Jersey Democrat and the oldest member of the U.S. Senate, who was already facing a likely primary challenge from Newark Mayor Cory Booker, announced that he will retire at the end of his current term rather than seek re-election next year.
Capt. Bill Byrne has been named the 85th commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
Jennifer Kirkland, whose 5-year-old son, Ethan Gilman, was held captive in an underground bunker for six days in rural Alabama before FBI agents entered the bunker and killed Jimmy Lee Dykes, told Dr. Phil McGraw in an interview for the Dr.Phil Show that she forgave Dykes early in the standoff and asked authorities not to harm him, adding that Dykes “took care of Ethan to the best of his abilities.”
President Barack Obama plans to spend the holiday weekend in West Palm Beach, Fla., relaxing with friends, the White House said.
Megan Thode, a former Lehigh University graduate student who sued to have a grade of C-plus changed to a B and was also seeking damages, has lost her suit in a Pennsylvania court after the judge sided with the university and instructor.
Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City, offered his final State of the City address, which outlined such goals as rebuilding the city after superstorm Sandy, stopping prosecutions on low-level marijuana-possession charges and banning plastic-foam food containers from stores and restaurants.
Adam Lysiak, 38, who authorities say had escaped from community custody in Federal Way, Wash., has been arrested in Port Townsend for investigation of identity theft and possession of stolen property, and police said they recovered more than 1,000 pounds of stolen mail at his address.
Front Section, Pages 1 on 02/15/2013