Nation Glance
Senate concludes Kavanaugh hearing; confirmation likely
WASHINGTON — After two marathon days questioning Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, senators concluded his confirmation hearing Friday by listening to others talk about him — friends stressing his fairness and warmth but opponents warning he’d roll back abortion rights and shield President Donald Trump.
One of the Democrats’ star witnesses was John Dean, Richard Nixon’s White House counsel who cooperated with prosecutors during the Watergate investigation. He told lawmakers that the high court with Kavanaugh on it would be “the most presidential powers-friendly court in the modern era.”
Senators on the Judiciary Committee are likely to vote on Kavanaugh’s confirmation on Sept. 20 with a vote by the full Senate the following week. Republicans hope to confirm the judge, who would nudge the high court further to the right, in time for the first day of court’s new term, Oct. 1.
Pipeline company found guilty in 2015 California oil spill
LOS ANGELES — A California jury found a pipeline company guilty Friday of nine criminal charges for causing a 2015 oil spill that was the state’s worst coastal spill in 25 years, prosecutors said.
The Santa Barbara County jury reached its verdict against Plains All American Pipeline of Houston following a fourmonth trial, finding the company guilty of a felony count of failing to properly maintain its pipeline and eight misdemeanor charges, including killing marine mammals and protected sea birds.
California Attorney General Becerra said in a statement that Plains’ actions were not only reckless and irresponsible but also criminal.
“Today’s verdict should send a message: if you endanger our environment and wildlife, we will hold you accountable,” he said.
Plains said in a statement that it “accepts full responsibility for the impact of the accident.”
Playmate’s suit bares details about affair with GOP donor
LOS ANGELES — A former Playboy model’s lawsuit against a top fundraiser for President Donald Trump and other Republicans revealed embarrassing details of their sexual affair and said she feared for her safety after he impregnated her, according to previously censored allegations unsealed Friday.
Shera Bechard said she went to a lawyer after Elliott Broidy became violent, behaved in a “profoundly disturbing” manner and demanded she get an abortion.
The details came to light in Los Angeles Superior Court after The Associated Press and other news organizations fought to unseal Bechard’s lawsuit alleging Broidy failed to pay a $200,000 installment toward a $1.6 million hush payment.
Broidy’s lawyers said payments stopped because Bechard’s former lawyer discussed the confidential agreement with attorney Michael Avenatti, who represents porn actress Stormy Daniels in a suit against Trump and his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen.
The affair became public in part because Cohen represented Broidy in the settlement. Cohen pleaded guilty last month to paying off Daniels “at the direction” of Trump to influence the election.