Iceland’s special investigator says 2 investment firm offices are searched in criminal probe

October 6th, 2009 PI pleads no contest in California conspiracy caseLOS ANGELES — A private investigator who once worked for A-list defendants such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder pleaded no contest Tuesday to charges that he tried to pay off a suspected rape victim. Bradley Miller entered his plea to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and three counts of bribing a witness.

September 29th, 2009 TORONTO - The Royal Bank of Canada, which is the country's top bank, Tuesday acquired J.P. Morgan's Investment Advisor Servicing Business.

September 23rd, 2009 German far-right party's offices searchedBERLIN — German police say they have searched the headquarters of a far-right party in an investigation of letters it sent to politicians of foreign descent. Berlin police say in a statement Wednesday that they searched the National Democratic Party's national headquarters, along with the home of the head of its local branch in the capital.

September 19th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Following a raid here early Saturday, the police claim to have recovered 61 illegal guns and nine pistols from the offices of a private security firm providing security to the US embassy. The raid came after it was revealed that the Interior Ministry had issued licences for highly sophisticated assault rifles to the company called Inter Risk, with the prime ministers special permission, Dawnnews.com reported.

August 11th, 2009 Gonzales discourages possible CIA criminal probeLUBBOCK, Texas — Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales says a criminal investigation into whether CIA interrogations after 9/11 crossed legal lines could have a chilling effect on U.S.

July 29th, 2009 LA city attorney seeks documents in Jackson probeLOS ANGELES — A spokesman says the Los Angeles city attorney has been requesting documents and conducting interviews as part of an investigation into the city's role in Michael Jackson's lavish memorial. Spokesman John Franklin said Wednesday there is no timetable to conclude the probe examining civil and criminal issues.

July 24th, 2009 Conyers wants criminal probe of Bush 'abuses'WASHINGTON — The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on Friday urged Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special counsel to examine potential abuses by former President George W. Bush's administration.

July 12th, 2009 McCain opposes probe of interrogation practicesWASHINGTON — Sen. John McCain says he's against opening a criminal investigation into whether CIA officers tortured detainees during the Bush administration.

July 7th, 2009 Searches at offices of 2 Iceland companiesREYKJAVIK, Iceland — The offices of two companies were searched Tuesday in a criminal investigation related to the collapse of the nation's banking system, Iceland's Special Prosecutor said. The Special Prosecutor's office said investigators searched nine locations, including seven houses, associated with the investment firms Milestone and Sjova.

July 1st, 2009 Pension adviser settles NY kickback probe for $2MNEW YORK — The Pacific Corporate Group, a company that helps big government pension funds decide how to invest their money, has agreed to pay $2 million to extract itself from a corruption investigation in New York. The settlement, announced Wednesday, will spare the firm from criminal or civil charges in a sprawling pension investigation led by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

June 17th, 2009 French: no conclusions in Flight 447 probeLE BOURGET, France — French investigators say more than 400 pieces of Flight 447 have been recovered in the Atlantic. Paul-Louis Arslanian, head of the French air accident investigation agency, says no firm conclusions have been drawn in the probe into the crash.

June 11th, 2009 Firm settles over its role in NY pension probeNEW YORK — The private equity firm Riverstone Holdings has agreed to pay $30 million and abide by a new code of conduct to resolve its role in a corruption scandal at New York's giant government pension fund. Riverstone, which invests in energy and power companies, was among several investment firms that embraced improper "pay-to-play" tactics while trying to persuade state officials to let them manage hundreds of millions of dollars in retirement system assets, according to an investigation led by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

May 29th, 2009 Grand jury subpoenas Visclosky's officesWASHINGTON — A federal grand jury has subpoenaed records of an Indiana congressman in a criminal probe involving a top lobbying firm that specialized in funneling federal contracts to defense firms. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Ind., said Friday that the subpoenas went to his congressional office, campaign committees and some of his employees and that they demanded documents related to the firm PMA Group, which disbanded after it came under federal investigation.

May 6th, 2009 NY comptroller sues firm in pay-to-play scandalNEW YORK — New York state's comptroller is suing a company accused of paying illegal kickbacks in exchange for a big investment from the state pension fund. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli filed the suit Wednesday in Albany as part of his effort to sever all ties with the Dallas firm, Aldus Equity Partners.

April 30th, 2009 NM firing financial adviser mentioned in NY probeSANTA FE, N.M. — A state investment office is firing a financial adviser caught up in a pay-to-play investigation involving a New York state pension fund.