Nation briefs 8/30/05

Eight ex-KPMG execs indicted; firm to pay fine

NEW YORK -- Eight former executives of accounting firm KPMG were indicted Monday and the firm agreed to pay $456 million as it admitted it sold fraudulent shelters to help wealthy clients avoid paying billions in taxes. The firm is part of the accounting industry's so-called Big Four. The Justice Department called it the largest criminal tax case ever filed, and said the KPMG scam allowed the firm's clients to avoid paying $2.5 billion in taxes.

Martin Sheen visits anti-war camp in Crawford

CRAWFORD, Texas -- Cindy Sheehan hasn't achieved a meeting with the president during her three-week war protest, but she met a man who plays one on TV. Martin Sheen, who portrays the president on NBC's "The West Wing," visited Sheehan's makeshift campsite Sunday. "At least you've got the acting president of the United States," Sheen said as the crowd of more than 300 people cheered. "I think you know what I do for a living, but this is what I do to stay alive."

Detroit to lay off 150 police, merge precincts

DETROIT -- Facing a budget crisis, Detroit police chief Ella Bully-Cummings announced plans Monday to lay off 150 police officers and merge the city's 12 police precincts into six district stations. The department's command staff also will be downsized, with those savings used to allow 35 to 40 police officers to keep their jobs. She said she also will merge some divisions within the department, such as narcotics, gang squad and vice.

-- From wire reports