National Roundup

Kentucky @ROUND UP Briefs Headline:Judge grants divorce to same-sex couple LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A judge in Kentucky has granted a divorce to a same-sex couple despite the fact the state doesn't recognize gay marriage. The Courier-Journal reports the ruling by Jefferson Family Court Judge Joseph O'Reilly is the first of its kind in the state. The case involves Alysha Romero and Rebecca Sue Romero, who were legally married in Massachusetts. Lawyers argued that the women should be able to divorce in Kentucky, where they live now, instead of having to move back to Massachusetts. O'Reilly said in his ruling that not allowing the divorce would violate a guarantee in the state constitution that all people should be treated as equals. "The Constitution of Kentucky prohibits the exercise of absolute and arbitrary power over lives" of its residents, O'Reilly added, "even if that exercise is approved of by the largest majority." "I am happy the judge made the right decision," said Alysha Romero. Her attorney, Louis Waterman, also said he was pleased with the judge's decision. "I am just thrilled with Judge O'Reilly's courage," Waterman said. "I think he had a lot of chutzpah to do what he did." Gay marriage opponents had predicted the case would be dismissed without the divorce being granted, though no one intervened to try to prevent the divorce. Opponents of gay marriage did not respond to the newspaper's request for comment. The ruling comes as the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether to hear gay marriage cases. New York MetLife to tackle 'too-big-to-fail' tag in D.C. court NEW YORK (AP) - MetLife is challenging its U.S. designation as a company that is "too big to fail," a tag given to corporations that the government believes could pose a risk to the economy in the event of a collapse. The designation brings with it stricter guidelines from federal overseers and, the company says, exorbitant costs. Under the classification, the nation's largest insurance company by assets would come under the supervision of the Federal Reserve. Its primary regulator has been New York state. MetLife said Tuesday that it will file with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to overturn the Financial Stability Oversight Council's designation of the New York company as a non-bank, systemically important financial institution. Companies deemed "systemically important" are obligated to increase the money held in reserve to protect against huge losses, limit their use of borrowed money and submit to inspections by Fed examiners. The New York company is one of only four non-bank corporations on the list and received the designation in December. At that time Treasury Secretary Jacob said that the council had spent a year and a half conducting an "extensive and in-depth analysis" that included "significant engagement" with MetLife. The insurer was given 30 days to appeal the council's decision. Other non-bank entities on the list are American International Group Inc., General Electric Capital Corp. - the finance arm of General Electric Co. - and Prudential Financial Inc. The near-collapse of AIG in 2008 helped trigger the financial crisis, and it received a $182 billion federal bailout that it has since repaid. MetLife Inc., which has a market capitalization of about $57 billion, said the designation will increase costs for consumers. It serves approximately 100 million customers and has operations in almost 50 countries. "MetLife has always supported robust regulation of the life insurance industry and has operated under a stringent state regulatory system for decades," said Chairman and CEO Steven Kandarian. "However, adding a new federal standard for just the largest life insurers and retaining a different standard for everyone else will drive up the cost of financial protection for consumers without making the financial system any safer." Kandarian said that the council - which was created to help prevent another financial meltdown - designated non-bank systemically important financial institutions before the rules governing those companies have been written. "The council should wait until the rules are in place and it knows the impact on designated firms," Kandarian said. Kandarian cited the Dodd-Frank Act, stating that the act makes its "clear that size alone does not make a company systemic." The council said in a statement that it has been notified of MetLife's complaint. The council stood by the designation and said it was confident in its work. Virginia Lawyers: Ex- gov­'s appeal may ta­k­e bulk of sentence RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Lawyers say the appeal of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's corruption convictions could take almost as long as his two-year prison sentence itself. In a court filing late Monday, McDonnell's attorneys reiterated their request that he remain free pending appeal. They argue McDonnell would be deprived of a meaningful appeal if he's required to serve the bulk of his sentence before it's resolved. And they say the appeal will raise substantial questions, including whether the government's interpretation of an "official act" is correct. Prosecutors say McDonnell hasn't made a compelling case for granting his request for bail pending appeal. A jury last year found McDonnell and his wife guilty of taking gifts and loans from a vitamin executive in exchange for promoting his products. He was sentenced Jan. 6. Idaho Prosecutor says arr­e­st warrant for boy, 9, a mistake POST FALS, Idaho (AP) - A northern Idaho prosecutor says he made a mistake requesting an arrest warrant for a 9-year-old boy accused of stealing a pack of gum. Kootenai County Prosecutor Barry McHugh in a statement Monday says his office should have instead sought a child protection investigation. He says that would have resulted in more information and a better-informed decision. First Judicial District Judge Lansing Haynes authorized the warrant after the boy twice failed to show up in court. Post Falls Police Chief Scott Haug says the child missed court because relatives had no way of getting him to the courthouse. The boy was arrested Jan. 6 and held at a juvenile detention center, then released Friday after a court hearing. McHugh says the case against the boy is still pending. Published: Wed, Jan 14, 2015