For full disclosure: A federal magistrate judge has ordered NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to provide the court with documents related to the league’s bounty investigation of the New Orleans Saints. The order by Magistrate Daniel Knowles today came in response to suspended linebacker Jonathan Vilma’s efforts to initiate the discovery process in his defamation case against the commissioner. Knowles’ order says only the court, and not Vilma, may see the documents—including reports of interviews with witnesses—before a subsequent order is made on whether to allow discovery to proceed. Get more details in the full story here.
Further on down the road: A judge has postponed a sentencing hearing for a Louisiana businessman linked to a federal probe of former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin. Frank Fradella pleaded guilty in June to making a $50,000 payoff to a former city official in exchange for favorable treatment for his business interests. Authorities haven’t identified that official, but court documents say the official served during a period matching Nagin’s tenure in office. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan didn’t give a reason today for moving Fradella’s sentencing hearing from Nov. 7 to March 13. Nagin hasn’t been charged in the case.
Where’s the line start? Apple has sent out invitations to an event one week from today, where it’s expected to announce the release of a smaller iPad. The invite, sent to reporters today, doesn’t hint at what will be revealed, beyond saying: “We’ve got a little more to show you.” The event will be held in San Jose, Calif. Media and analysts have speculated for months that Apple has an “iPad mini” in the works. The tablet is thought to be about half the size of the regular iPad and to start at $249 or $299. The regular iPad starts at $499 for the most recent models. More speculation is available in the complete story here.
Editor’s note: Daily Report is compiling a list of endorsements for candidates in the East Baton Rouge Parish mayoral, Public Service Commission District 2 and Louisiana Supreme Court 5th District races. You can check it out here; and if your association or organization has an endorsement in one of these races you’d like to share, please email it to ssanoski@businessreport.com.
