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June 12, 2012 | | FINANCIAL MOTIVE? In a dramatic opening day in court, the ex-Penn State coach was confronted with an alleged victim—while his lawyers claimed that his accusers had a financial motive. Diane Dimond reports. PROTEST Tens of thousands of Russians on Tuesday protested Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite his government’s efforts a day before to quell the demonstration by raiding the homes of prominent protest leaders. On Monday Russian authorities seized laptops, anti-Kremlin material, and more than a million in cash as protest leaders were called in for questioning on Tuesday. Moscow authorities granted permission for 50,000 people to gather near Pushkin Square and then march to a rally point in the afternoon. Last week, the Russian Parliament passed a new law that raised fines by a factor of 100 on any protests that break the rules. Since Putin took office in March for a third term as president, tens of thousands have protested—although crowds have yet to reach the level of a spontaneous demonstration in December. HIT-AND-RUN John Bryson’s bizarre hit-and-run thrusts a little-noticed cabinet member into the spotlight. Aram Roston and Christine Pelisek on the environmentalist CEO, who’s stepping back after the incident. HACKING Former British prime minister Sir John Major testified Tuesday that he hoped the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics will result in "action that will lift the worst of the press standards of the best of the press," saying there is a "certain degree of chuminess" between the press and the government. Major, whose daughter-in-law, Emma Noble, issued a civil claim against News Corp. a few months ago, was infamous for several "sleaze" scandals during his seven years as prime minister. By the 1997 general election, he had lost the support of the British press, including The Sun. Major's testimony will be followed by Labour leader Ed Miliband. Enforcement The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division plans to sue Florida because the state’s efforts to purge voters from its rolls violate federal law, it says. The D.O.J. had warned last month that the state’s attempts to remove those believed to be noncitizens from the voter rolls was illegal because the process had not been approved by either the Justice Department or a federal court. Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez wrote that the enforcement action was going forward because Florida had “indicated its unwillingness to comply” with federal laws. Florida Gov. Rick Scott said, “We found individuals that are registered to vote that don’t have a right to vote, noncitizens and they voted. I have a job to do to defend the right of legitimate voters.” | | 
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