Toni Locy subpoena likely moot with DOJ settlement
It appears former USA Today reporter Toni Locy won't have to cough up $50,000 or go to jail to protect her confidential sources, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. The U.S. Department of Justice settled the Privacy Act suit filed by Steven Hatfill, the former "person of interest" in the anthrax attacks. With the settlement, there's no need for the trial to continue (or for Locy to provide her sources as requested by Hatfill and demanded by a judge). Whew! The DOJ agreed to pay Hatfill $2.8 million outright and $3 million paid out over 20 years.
Congratulations to Locy for standing strong and providing inspiration for journalists everywhere. I particularly liked her speech at the National Freedom of Information Coalition conference in May when she told journalists: "It's time to turn and fight!"