Briefs

Local and VCU

Fan house used for meth lab, officials charge

A Richmond man has been charged with allowing his house in the Fan District to be used as the base for an interstate methamphetamine trafficking operation.

According to a federal indictment unsealed Monday, Stephen D. Hahne, Jr., 44, of the 2200 block of Park Avenue, allowed dealers to operate their business out of his home where they received, stored, distributed and used methamphetamine.

In return, the dealers allegedly provided Hahne with methamphetamine at reduced prices and enabled him to obtain and use the drug without having to leave his house and look for it on the street.

Because Hahne allegedly used his residence to facilitate the drug operation, the government is seeking the forfeiture of his house.

The indictment was part of Operation Endgame, a major Organized Crime Drug Task Force investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in central Virginia and other places. The investigation continues, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The case was investigated by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Richmond Division. David T. Maguire, an assistant U.S. attorney, is prosecuting the case.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Haynesworth attends appeals hearing on his innocence bid

Released from prison last week and wearing a new suit, Thomas E. Haynesworth had a front-row seat Wednesday morning as lawyers argued for his exoneration.

Three judges of the Virginia Court of Appeals asked some tough questions of his lawyers and the Virginia Attorney General’s Office.

But both sides reasserted their strong belief that Haynesworth is innocent of rape and other convictions in two 1984 attacks against women in Richmond’s East End and eastern Henrico County.

“Our position is he is actually innocent,” said Assistant Attorney Genearl Alice T. Armstrong. “This case is unique and it is different from other actual innocence cases this court has addressed.”

Following the hearing, Haynesworth said he was pleased with the proceeding, although, “I was kind of anxious – back in a courtroom.”

“I’m a little bit edgy. I’m going to wait it out and be patient,” Haynesworth, whose mother was seated next to him in court.

During the hearing, Judge James W. Haley Jr. asked if a juror couldn’t – even in light of new DNA and other evidence supporting Haynesworth’s claims of innocence – still have sided with the victim’s identification of him and voted to convict.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Webb urges suspending EPA’s greenhouse gas regulations

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., is urging colleagues to support an amendment by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-WV, which would suspend the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of greenhouse gases from stationary sources for a period of two years.

Webb said the delay would give Congress time to address “legitimate concerns over climate change” without disrupting important progress made on motor vehicle fuel and emission standards.

“This regulatory framework is so broad and potentially far-reaching that it could eventually touch nearly every facet of this nation’s economy, putting unnecessary burdens on our industries and driving many businesses overseas through policies that have been implemented purely at the discretion of the executive branch and absent the clearly stated intent of the Congress.”

Senator Webb also renewed his call for Senators on both sides of the aisle to support and enact energy legislation this year.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

National and International

Obama pushes Kaine toward Senate bid

President Barack Obama nudged Democratic Party chief Timothy M. Kaine toward a Senate run Tuesday night, saying the former Virginia governor would be an outstanding lawmaker.

Obama delivered the plug at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser at Harlem’s Red Rooster restaurant, with Kaine, who had spoken before the president, standing nearby. Obama repeated nearly the same plug later at a DNC event at Harlem’s Studio Museum, urging a roomful of supporters to back Kaine if he does run.

“He’s not just a leader for Virginia; he’s a leader forAmerica,” the president said.

Kaine has been considering a run ever since Virginia Democratic Sen. Jim Webb said he won’t stand for re-election next year. Democratic officials think Kaine is the best person to help the party keep the seat.

Republican George Allen, a former senator and a former Virginia governor, has already announced his candidacy.

Kaine recently told a college class that he’s likely to become a candidate.

Obama joked about speculation that Kaine was considering “plunging back into the hurly burly of electoral politics” and said he’d be outstanding in the Senate.

Brief by The Associated Press

McDonnell, Indiana’s Daniels make friendly wager

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has made a friendly wager with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels on Virginia Commonwealth University’s game against Butler on Saturday, and there’s meat on the line.

If VCU wins, McDonnell gets “a variety of duck products” from Maple Leaf Farms in Milford, Indiana. If Butler is victorious, McDonnell will fork over a Virginia hand-cured country ham from S. Wallace Edwards & Sons in Surry.

VCU and Butler face off in the first NCAA Tournament Final Four game at 6:09 p.m. in Houston.

“I look forward to watching the Rams win the national title in Houston, and enjoying some duck from Maple Leaf Farms when we get back to Richmond. In fact, I might save the duck to serve at the Governor’s Mansion when I have the Rams over to celebrate their tremendous season,” said McDonnell, who will be in Houston for the match-up.

Gov. Daniels added: “I love the VCU story. If they somehow find a way to get past Butler, I’m for them.”

Brief by The Associated Press

Uganda says it would welcome Libya’s Gadhafi

The list of countries where Moammar Gadhafi might spend a comfortable life in exile is a lot shorter today than it would have been in years past because of global monetary sanctions and possible trial at the International Criminal Court.

Uganda’s deposed dictator, Idi Amin, found refuge first in Libya and eventually in Saudi Arabia in 1980, living in his own villa with female companionship, food and drink.

That kind of good life may not be likely for Gadhafi.

In a twist of fate, Uganda said Wednesday it would accept Libya’s leader, the first country to publicly volunteer to give him a home.

Of course, Gadhafi may never leave Libya unless overbearing military power forces him to, although world leaders are hoping the strongman will go, and there are indications that his aides are seeking an exit for a man who has held power for more than 40 years.

The Uganda president’s spokesman justified the offer of refuge, saying that Ugandans were given asylum in neighboring countries during the rule of Amin, who killed tens of thousands of his countrymen in the 1970s.

Brief by The Associated Press