Judge orders L.A. Times to alter story about Glendale cop, sparking protest from newspaper

[mahatmakanejeeves]

"Congress shall make no law, yak, yak, yak.

VeryStableHat Retweeted:

VERY SERIOUS, HIGHLY UNUSUAL: Federal judge orders L.A. Times to alter story about Glendale cop. The newspaper declares order unconstitutional, vows fight

Link to tweet

Judge orders L.A. Times to alter story about Glendale cop, sparking protest from newspaper

By CINDY CHANG JUL 14, 2018 | 8:40 PM

A federal judge on Saturday ordered the Los Angeles Times to remove information from an article that described a plea agreement between prosecutors and a Glendale police detective accused of working with the Mexican Mafia, a move the newspaper decried as highly unusual and unconstitutional.

The agreement was supposed to have been filed under seal, but it was mistakenly made available on PACER, a public online database for federal court documents.

In response to the order from U.S. District Judge John F. Walter, The Times revised the article to eliminate information about the sealed document. The newspaper intends to contest the order.

“We believe that once material is in the public record, it is proper and appropriate to publish it if it is newsworthy,” said Norman Pearlstine, executive editor of the Los Angeles Times. ... Kelli Sager, an attorney representing The Times, said the 1st Amendment includes a strong presumption against government actions that prevent someone from speaking or publishing information.
....

Seems like a pretty dumb order in light of this: https://web.archive.org/web/20180714180330/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-glendale-detective-guilty-plea-20180714-story.html …

Link to tweet

https://web.archive.org/web/20180714180330/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-glendale-detective-guilty-plea-20180714-story.html

[Sophia4]

1. The First Amendment speaks for itself.

I hope the newspaper appeals.

We either have a free press or we don't have a free press.

And if we don't have a free press, we have no freedom at all.

[Historic NY]

2. Now its in the twittersphere too....

the big question is he going to jail.

[packman]

3. Judge is blowing it out of his ass

Stupid order and seriously dangerous if allowed.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

4. Federal Judge Issues Illegitimate Prior Restraint Order Against Los Angeles Times In Federal Crimina

Federal Judge Issues Illegitimate Prior Restraint Order Against Los Angeles Times In Federal Criminal Case

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Federal Judge Issues Illegitimate Prior Restraint Order Against Los Angeles Times In Federal Criminal Case

JULY 16, 2018 BY KEN WHITE 10 COMMENTS

[friendly_iconoclast]

5. This is the bit that was removed- spread it around:

John Saro Balian, 45, pleaded guilty to one count each of soliciting a bribe, obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators as part of a plea agreement he reached with prosecutors. The document was ordered to be filed under seal but appeared on PACER, a public online database for court documents.

According to the agreement, filed in U.S. District Court, Balian agreed to cooperate with federal authorities by responding truthfully and completely in interviews and court proceedings. He is scheduled to be sentenced in September, when prosecutors are expected to recommend a reduced sentence.

The charges to which he pleaded guilty carry a maximum sentence of 35 years in prison.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

6. Fed. Court Vacates Prior Restraint Order Against LA Times, But Blasts Press In Attempt To Justify It

Federal Court Vacates Prior Restraint Order Against LA Times, But Blasts Press In Attempt To Justify It

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Federal Court Vacates Prior Restraint Order Against LA Times, But Blasts Press In Attempt To Justify It
JULY 17, 2018 BY KEN WHITE
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It's good that Judge Walter vacated his order. But it's unacceptable that he issued it in the first place, and unbecoming and regrettable that he blasted the press for printing important information about a federal case. A dirty cop cooperating against gangs is news. They were right to publish. He was wrong to issue the order, and wrong to try to justify it.