DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar s public prosecution has charged a Kenyan man who has written about migrant rights in the Gulf Arab state with receiving payment to spread disinformation, the government s communication office (GCO) said on Saturday. Malcolm Bidali, who had been writing under a pseudonym, was arrested on May 5 for violating Qatar s security laws, according to a Qatari official. Rights groups have voiced concern that his detention may be in reprisal for human rights work. Mr Bidali has been formally charged with offences related to payments received by a foreign agent for the creation and distribution of disinformation within the State of Qatar, the GCO said in a statement, without elaborating. It said his case was transferred to the Public Prosecution after a thorough investigation and that Bidali was receiving legal advice and representation ahead of the court date, which has not yet been set . Rights groups including Amnesty International said in a statement on Friday that Bid
The public corruption unit of the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan is examining Patrick Jenkins, a former aide to Carl Heastie and a top state lobbyist.
Some conservative lawmakers are worried right now about bills falling to end-of-session deadlines, but several top Republican priorities have either crossed the finish line or are very close.
A false date rape drugging accusation against a lobbyist exposed claims of his role in the Texas Capitol’s culture of sexual harassment
Texas Tribune
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Editor’s note: This story contains explicit language.
Although it had not been officially released, the investigative report began ricocheting around computers and cellphones at the Texas Capitol early Tuesday evening, and it made one thing unambiguously clear: Rick Dennis, a lobbyist with one of Austin s most prominent firms, was not guilty of using a date rape drug on two female legislative staffers during a night out in Austin.
Rumors that Dennis had been accused of doing so rocked the Capitol in late April, prompting outraged reactions from legislative leaders and state lawmakers. But a Texas Department of Public Safety investigation found the allegation baseless. Authorities soon after said they would not seek charges.