Court exempts employers from taxes on free meals

In a case affecting workers all across the country, the Supreme Court Monday let stand a ruling that an employer does not have to pay taxes on the value of free meals provided to employees.

In other actions, the court:

* Rejected the appeal of a Chicago public school teacher who was denied appointment as a principal on grounds he had been accused of a crime -- even though the charge was later thrown out.

* Agreed to decide whether a person who sues a public official for violating his civil rights must allege that the action was taken in bad faith.

* Let stand a series of California state court orders that pension funds make direct payments to a participant's divorced spouse.