21.   He declined through a lawyer to comment for this story.

22.   He declined through a Navy spokesperson to comment on either case.

23.   Hertz declined through a colleague to be interviewed.

24.   Her lawyer, Steven Secare, declined through an office assistant to comment.

25.   Howard Squadron, a lawyer for Schneider, declined through an associate to comment.

26.   Ito declined through a spokeswoman to be interviewed for this story.

27.   Ito declined through a spokesman to comment on the gifts.

28.   Jimenez declined through a spokeswoman to comment.

29.   Jeffers also declined through a Department of Corrections spokesman to comment on the case.

30.   Konetzni, Brandhuber and other officials involved in the decision declined through a spokesman to comment, saying it would be inappropriate until they appear before the court.