Alaska Employment Law

New Alaska law on release of SSNs:  Effective July 1, 2009, Alaska will bar employers (and others) from some disclosures of Social Security Numbers to third parties.  AS 45.48.430 -.480 (ch 92 SLA 2008).  The statute creates “employment-related exceptions.”  AS 45.48.460.  A knowing violation of the statute may lead to imposition of a civil penalty not to exceed $3,000, actual economic damages, costs, and “full reasonable attorney fees.”  AS 45.48.480.  Chief sponsors were Representatives John Coghill (R-North Pole) and Les Gara (D-Anch.).

Reduction of sentence:  The 9th Circuit has affirmed U. S. District Judge James Singleton’s refusal to reduce a crack cocaine sentence.  Leniear v. U.S., 2009 WL _______ (9th Cir. June 18, 2009).  Audrey Renschen and Jo Ann Farrington, AUSAs, represented the government.  Allen Beiswenger represented the defendant.    All counsel practice in Anchorage.

OSHA law blog:  We’ve added a link to a new blog on OSHA law by the management law firm of Jackson Lewis.  See all the blog listings under the “Other Employment Law Blogs” column on the lower right side of this screen.

Nice legal writing: Judge Sidney Thomas, starting an opinion this Tuesday morning:

This appeal presents the question, inter alia, of whether the charitable gift annuities sold in this case were investment contracts under federal securities law. We conclude they were, and we affirm the judgment of the district court.

Not only did Robert Dillie promise his investors “a gift for your lifetime and beyond,” he pledged “preservation of the American way of life,” “preservation of your assets,” and “preservation of the American family.” Unless Dillie meant to refer to the way of life perfected by the Boston swindler Charles Ponzi and his family,we can safely say that Dillie’s claims were a bit overstated.

Warfield v. Bestgen, 2009 WL _______ (9th Cir. June 24, 2009)