AP: Conflicts could keep Roberts from many high court cases

[question everything]

Conflicts could keep Roberts from many high court cases

ASSOCIATED PRESS

September 11, 2005

WASHINGTON – John Roberts is an appeals court judge with a multimillion-dollar portfolio, a spouse who is a successful lawyer and a broad roster of clients from his days in private practice.

Those factors mean he probably will have to disqualify himself from dozens of Supreme Court cases should he become chief justice. It is a situation that, while not unusual, would leave the nine-member court with a potential for tie votes.

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In the past year, there were 112 recusals – the act of justices taking themselves out of a case – in opinions and orders. The court deals with more than 8,000 appeals a year. By Goldstein's count, Justice Stephen Breyer stepped aside 60 times and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor 27.

Roberts' investment portfolio includes stock in Coca-Cola, Disney, and telecommunications and prescription drug companies.

Papers Roberts submitted to the Senate over the summer put his wealth at more than $5 million – well above that of his mentor, William Rehnquist, who died last weekend.

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Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050911/news_1n11roberts.html

[Yupster]

1. Disney?

I thought he would have boycotted Disney.

[question everything]

2. Why? (nt)