By Center for Biological Diversity SAN FRANCISCO - The Center for Biological Diversity today filed an official notice of its intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for authorizing the use of toxic dispersants without ensuring that these chemicals would not harm endangered species and their habitats. The letter requests that the agency, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, immediately study the effects of dispersants on species such as sea turtles, sperm whales, piping plovers, and corals and incorporate this knowledge into oil-spill response efforts. "The Gulf of Mexico has become Frankenstein's laboratory for BP's enormous, uncontrolled experiment in flooding the ocean with toxic chemicals," said Andrea Treece, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. "The fact that no one in the federal government ever required that these chemicals be proven safe for this sort of … [Read more...]

By DOTTIE PARIS, Features Editor Fort Lauderdale It seems everyone wants a piece of Scott Rothstein. The assets of the disbarred attorney who pleaded guilty to running a $1.2 billion Ponzi scheme, are the subject of much haggling as US District Judge James Cohn sorts through stacks of claims. Banks, tax collectors -- and even ex-NFL defensive lineman Warren Sapp -- are putting in dibs for the more the $469 million allegedly owed by Rothstein to some 46 entities. Alison Lehr, assistant U.S. Attorney, is looking to dismiss most of the claims. Sapp said he is owed $102,000 from a legal settlement that was held in trust account by Rothstein Rosenfeldt Adler, Wachovia says it owns a commercial property valued at $2.75 million and various municipalities claim there are taxes owed on other properties. There are at least 33 other claimants seeking restitution. An auction is set for next … [Read more...]