21.   Kidnapping was made a federal felony last year as part of a new Mexican law to combat organized crime.

22.   Mirikitani is the highest-ranking elected official in Hawaii to be convicted of federal felony charges while in office.

23.   Sands pleaded guilty in November to eight counts of extortion and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony.

24.   The decision announced Thursday by Attorney General Janet Reno means the department has found specific and credible allegations that Brown may have committed a federal felony.

25.   Pearson also was given authority to investigate whether Hill committed any federal felony through her firm First International, Inc. or any other operations.