THE NATION - News from June 4, 2009
A federal judge threw out more than three dozen lawsuits filed against the nation’s telecommunications companies for allegedly taking part in the government’s e-mail and telephone eavesdropping program that was done without court approval.
The San Francisco-based judge also ordered officials in Maine, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont and Missouri to halt investigations of the companies for their alleged participation in the once-secret surveillance programs.
U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn R. Walker’s dismissal of most of the lawsuits was widely expected after Congress in July agreed on new surveillance rules that included protection from legal liability for telecommunications companies that allegedly helped the U.S. spy on Americans without warrants. Lawyers representing customers said they would appeal.
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