Charge dropped against man accused of passing some gas

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A West Virginia man accused of passing gas and fanning it toward a police officer no longer faces a battery charge.

The Kanawha County prosecutor’s office requested that the charge be dropped against 34-year-old Jose Cruz.

According to a criminal complaint, Cruz passed gas and made a fanning motion toward patrolman T.E. Parsons after being taken to the police station for a breathalyzer test. Cruz denies fanning the gas and says his request to use a restroom when first arriving at the station was denied.

An assistant says Magistrate Jack Pauley signed a motion to dismiss the charge Thursday.

Cruz, who was arrested Tuesday, still faces driving under the influence and other charges.

Mexico holds contest to find worst bureaucratic red tape

MEXICO CITY – For decades, Mexicans have confronted complicated, bureaucratic red tape that begs for a bribe. Now, they can turn their frustrations into quick cash.

The federal government is holding a contest to find the worst example of bureaucracy and corruption.

Officials announced the first details on prizes and rules on Thursday, after President Felipe Calderon said earlier this month that the contest was in the works.

“Governments serve to facilitate the development of people and communities, not to complicate them,” Public Administration Secretary Salvador Vega said.

Mexicans have until Oct. 31 to submit the entry forms, which ask questions like: Were you asked for a bribe to complete the service? They also ask for suggestions on ways to improve government agencies.

The goal is to streamline the federal government’s more than 4,200 bureaucratic forms to 3,000 by 2012.

The worst example of federal red tape will win US$27,900.

The entries will be judged by a group of citizens

From Associated Press reports