Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 02.22.19

* Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta is in hot water for brokering the 2008 plea deal for Jeffrey Epstein. District Judge Kenneth Marra said the actions of then prosecutor Acosta violated federal law. [Slate] * When saying you're sorry just isn't enough: Roger Stone gets slapped with a gag order by Judge Amy Berman Jackson after Instagram debacle. [Law.com] * One of Michael Avenatti's sources has been identified as IRS analyst John C. Fry... and he's in trouble for disclosing Suspicious Activity Reports. [Law and Crime] * Most Americans understanding separation of powers better than the president. [The Hill] * If you're going to discuss bribing officials, you probably shouldn't do it over a video conference call -- this is the exact reason seedy dive bars exist. [Corporate Counsel] * The Jackson family is going after HBO over the documentary "Leaving Neverland," seeking $100 million in damages. [Deadline]

By Kathryn Rubino on February 22, 2019 8:31 am

R. Alexander Acosta (official government portrait)

* Labor Secretary Alex Acosta is in hot water for brokering the 2008 plea deal for Jeffrey Epstein. District Judge Kenneth Marra said the actions of then prosecutor Acosta violated federal law. [Slate]

* When saying you’re sorry just isn’t enough: Roger Stone gets slapped with a gag order by Judge Amy Berman Jackson after Instagram debacle. [Law.com]

* One of Michael Avenatti’s sources has been identified as IRS analyst John C. Fry… and he’s in trouble for disclosing Suspicious Activity Reports. [Law and Crime]

* Most Americans understand separation of powers better than the president. [The Hill]

* If you’re going to discuss bribing officials, you probably shouldn’t do it over a video conference call — this is the exact reason seedy dive bars exist. [Corporate Counsel]

* The Jackson family is going after HBO over the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” seeking $100 million in damages. [Deadline]