DELAY ACQUITTED, SIEGELMAN STILL IN PRISON

[BradBlog]

DELAY ACQUITTED, SIEGELMAN STILL IN PRISON

Ironically enough, I had the opportunity to speak for a few minutes with former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman in federal prison over the weekend. Siegelman, a Democrat, has so far served nearly two years for a "crime" that had never before been considered a crime before he was found guilty of it. He is likely to serve many more years in prison for the charges brought by Republicans, including a federal prosecutor whose husband was the Chief of Staff of Siegelman's gubernatorial rival Bob Riley, a team of folks, including the judge, who are all good friends of Karl Rove and who are said to have "coached, cajoled and threatened" the star witness in the case.

Today, in the meantime, Tom DeLay, the former Republican leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, who was convicted of money-laundering hundreds of thousands of corporate dollars in Texas to give them to candidates --- something which has been an actual crime for decades in the state --- was acquitted of all charges by a 2 to 1 decision of a Texas appeals court.

DeLay never served a day in prison. Siegelman, on the day he was convicted, before the appeals process could even begin, was literally shackled and carted away…

FULL STORY: http://www.bradblog.com/?p=10264

[MADem]

1. Is "Overturned on appeal" the same as an acquittal?

Was it a technicality that got Delay off the hook, or something else?

[malaise]

19. I'd love to know

This is sick

[WillowTree]

30. In this case, yes.

The court of appeals found that there hadn't even been sufficient evidence to bring him to trial, let alone convict him.

And please don't jump all over me. I didn't say it was my opinion, I was just telling you what the court decided.

[MADem]

37. Brad is telling me downthread that the prosecutors have a review process available.

Unknown if that will bear any fruit, though...

I don't do that "Shoot the messenger" shit, so you have nothing to fear from me!

[WillowTree]

41. I meant nothing personal, but that doesn't excuse it.

I'm sorry.........I'll share my ice cream as a peace offering if you want!

[MADem]

42. No worries!

I am not at all upset with you, I just wanted to reassure you that I wouldn't jump down your throat, and I had a sinfully rich dessert tonight, so you can have all the ice cream!

Enjoy!

[BradBlog]

34. From the TX Appellate Court's ruling...

FWIW, this is from the TX Appellate Court ruling:

we reverse the judgments of the trial court and render judgments of acquittal.

Prosecutors, however, could ask for a review of the appellate court's ruling.

[MADem]

36. Thank you, BB, I hope the prosecutors get a fair review and get this horse back on the track..

I am not holding my breath but I can hope, I guess...

[Koko Ware]

2. President Obama has to begin designating Republicans as domestic terrorists and have them all

arrested for treason against the people of the United States and ignoring the Constitution of the United States that they are supposed to protect and defend, instead of using it as a toilet paper.

[Coyotl]

22. OFCS! Most of my family are Republicans. They are wonderful people.

Get a grip and try to burst that opaque bubble which paints your vision of the world.

[Koko Ware]

24. Tough shit. It's finally time to recognize Republicans for what they are - hypocrites who lies all

the time and always 'me-first' 'tude. They don't even think about other people at all.

I'm sorry but your family has to denounce their Republican membership to save America. It's the only way to save themselves from future blaze of 'glory'.

The bubble was burst a long time ago, and finally woke up and realize that Republicans have been doing nothing but terrorizing Americans for the last 35+ years. It's also time for you to wake up and realize as well.

Even I am warning my extremely conservative Democratic father that if he goes too far to the right, I will not want to continue our relationship.

[Thinkingabout]

27. In the case of Tom Delay, he is a dirty rotten crook, Tom has numerous dirty deeds, nothing was out

Of his books when it comes to scams, he should be behind bars and never see the light of day outside prison.

[Coyotl]

43. NoDak is 2/3 R's, and almost everyone is a really nice person. You want to round them all up?

That's just plain insanity. People have a right to their partisanship. You need to be more discerning in who you hate, instead of picking half the population and calling for their demise. Even Hitler knew better than to target half the people.

[MADem]

38. Your family must be the exceptions that prove the rule.

Most Republicans I know are anti-choice, gay hating jerks, to put it kindly. They hate unions, they hate minimum wages, they hate public schools, they love prayer in inappropriate places, and they mock people who give a shit about the environment, sustainability, the future of the planet or things of that nature. They think regulation is a waste of time, they think the rich should get richer, the poor get poorer....and they are just MEAN.

So, like I said, your family must be unusual, because I've never known any "wonderful" Republicans. Not in this century, certainly. Back in the fifties, sixties, even the seventies, sure--there were a few "New England" Republicans who were decent folk. But since the Gingrich era, even before that, when Reagan hit the scene, they started to turn, and they all became selfish, cruel, unkind people who devalued diversity, and demonized minorities.

[Demo_Chris]

45. These are American citizens you are condemning...

Take it down a notch.

[sabrina 1]

3. This is world we live in now in the US. Another Republican had his conviction overturned also

by the DOJ. Sen Stevens, based on some technicalities during the trial, none of which even compared to the evidence available on the corruption that was involved in Don Siegelman's case.


If the DOJ would treat Democrats as kindly and affectionately as they treat convicted Republicans, it would be easier to be less cynical about our failing system of 'justice'.

Thanks Brad for keeping Don Siegelman's story alive. It should be a top priority for all Democrats to end this political assassination of a truly good man and Democrat.

[former9thward]

5. Both Stevens and Siegelman were convicted due to gross prosecution misconduct.

Not because of "some technicalities during the trial." In the Stevens' case the DOJ admitted it. With Siegelman they fought it. The DOJ person who fought Siegelman's appeal was Elena Kagan. She was rewarded with a seat on the Supreme Court.

[sabrina 1]

7. I didn't disagree with the overturning of Stevens' conviction. Corruption in the judicial process

should never be tolerated, but the wrong doing in Siegelman's case far exceeded the wrong-doing in Stevens' case.

But it's our fault as Democrats because we should have been relentless in demanding that Siegelman get the same treatment as Stevens and they question is 'why did this Democratic DOJ refuse to correct the gross injustice in the Siegelman case??

I did not know that Kagan was the DOJ Rep who fought Siegelman's appeal. Why would she be rewarded by Democrats for doing such a disgraceful thing? How could anyone with a conscience deny someone the justice they deserve? I am disgusted to hear this.

[former9thward]

8. I think Kagan is one reason Obama has done nothing with Siegelman in terms of a pardon.

If he pardoned him he would have to answer questions of why his representative (Kagan was Solicitor General) fought the appeal of a political conviction. Maybe he will do the right thing though. Hopefully sooner than later.

[Octafish]

14. Elena Kagan and her role as a willing accomplice in Siegelman prosecution

From the great DUer autorank:

Elena Kagan - Willing Accomplice

By Michael Collins

Then, when Siegelman appealed his case to the Supreme Court in 2009, President Obama's Attorney General dispatched Solicitor General Elena Kagan to argue against the appeal in November.

Before accepting the case, Elena Kagan knew or should have known: that the U.S. Attorney who began the Siegelman investigation was closely tied to Karl Rove; that Siegelman never benefited personally from the contribution to an education funding initiative; that the case was so outrageous, forty-four attorneys general petitioned Congress; and, that the presiding judge in the case owned a major interest in a defense firm that received a $178 million federal contract between Siegelman's indictment and trial, a massive conflict of interest.

Most revealing, before her argument against the former governor's appeal, Kagan knew or should have known the following. After two charges had been dropped in a 2009 appeal, Justice Department attorneys recommended a twenty year sentence instead of the seven years already rendered. Fewer offenses for sentencing meant thirteen additional years by the strange logic of federal justice.
Kagan knew or should have known all this and more. That didn't stop her from arguing that Don Siegelman should be kept in jail. ...

That judgment is that Elena Kagan was a willing accomplice in one of the most outrageous political prosecutions of our time. Why should anyone ever trust her?

Her nomination to the Supreme Court of the United States should be rejected unanimously.

[Coyotl]

23. Consider the source!

[Uncle Joe]

44. Consider the message, is it true or not?

[sabrina 1]

28. That is shameful!! I did not know about her role in this. She should never have been

nominated, let alone approved for the SC.

I wonder why this administration had it in for Siegelman? That is something that needs to be determined imho.

It is simply shameful and extremely disturbing that this woman was involved in this and that WE helped, unwittingly perhaps, in this travesty of justice.

[Blue Owl]

4. Which one is the Republican, and which one is the Democrat?

I wonder...

[DFW]

6. Difference: Rove never wanted DeLay in jail n/t

The governors of Texas and Alabama are now both Republican. Case closed.

[rhett o rick]

9. Corruption.

[Cryptoad]

10. Best Justice Money can buy!

[Octafish]

11. Know your BFEE

Siegelman Judge is a big-time War Profiteer

...and all the NSA spying really does is protect traitors, war criminals, warmongers, and banksters.

[heaven05]

12. Money and corruption

Last edited Fri Sep 20, 2013, 09:25 AM - Edit history (1)

are the greasers of the skids in our political/ judicial systems downward slide since 2000. Integrity, truth and honesty is rare now in our political/judicial systems.

[Rex]

13. Crime pays for Republicans.

That is why they are always smiling like they just screwed someone over.

[truedelphi]

15. I know that Democrats in leadership positions have signed petitions and letters,

But is there any more that they can do?

I was very grateful to find the current BradBlog article about the case being publicized.

And it made me ask myself: Could someone in the Democratic leadership do the right thing about Don Siegelman?

President Obama, you recently spent quite a bit of time on the bully pulpit of the Oval Office, attempting to get us worked up over the issue of Syria. So when the issue seems like a correct issue for you (moral authority and all that,) you really do go to bat for the issue.

As a Democrat, I can think of no better way to use your office than to twist the arms of those in the leadership positions of the Democratic party, and try and maneuver some real justice for the now imprisoned former governor of Alabama.

And my congressman is always eager to hit his bully pulpit circuit, when the issue of cutting Social Security comes into play. He is Mike Thompson, Calif-D, a "blue dawg" who really thinks austerity for those of us who have paid into the system all our lives is a fine way to go. But what about legal justice for a fellow Democrat, Mr Thompson?

Why am I mentioning this today? Once again, I received a Facebook account plea from his Siegelman's daughter, regarding his case. And today is the day when Tom deLay, whose manipulation of the PAC monetary system of embellishing one's own bank account while raising tons of secret money for one's "picks" for candidacy, has been let go by a Texas Court of Appeal, without so much as a slap on the wrist.

Some of you here at DU might be unfamiliar with Siegelman's case. Since the whole issue of his "crime" is of such a convoluted nature, I must offer you this article by Mimi JKennedy that sets out the various twists and turns of the "criminal case" against Siegelman.
Background article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mimi-kennedy/don-siegelman_b_1851909.html

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

16. Forget it, Jake....It's Texas....

....and he's a Republican.

[kelliekat44]

17. Just fired of my fourth rant about this to the WH. It just feels better when I do this. nt

[spanone]

18. 'ain't that america'

[hobbit709]

20. A jury convicted him. TWO Repuke judges overturned the verdict.

[trusty elf]

21. I had a feeling that Delay wouldn't serve a day in prison.

[IMG][/IMG]

[MADem]

39. You know I love your stuff...this one of BugMan is priceless.... nt

[trusty elf]

46. Thanks, MADem!

Always happy to hear from you!

There's a little hidden joke in the pic... "moldy tea" is an anagram for "tom delay"

[MADem]

47. +1,000 !!!! nt

[RandiFan1290]

25. Follow the script or you will get slapped down

[WillyT]

26. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

& Rec !!!

[senseandsensibility]

29. Travesty.

I have to let the smilies do my talking because I am speechless with disgust.

[eppur_se_muova]

31. THAT is what is called PERSPECTIVE. nt

[lpbk2713]

32. This is bullshit.

Justice has not been served. Delay is as crooked as they come.

[bvar22]

33. THis is especially MADDENING becuase...

...the VERY FIRST THING on Holder's list after being appointed Attorney General was to get corrupt Republican Senator Ted Stevens FREED and EXONERATED.
Meanwhile, unfairly imprisoned Democratic Governor Don Siegelman?
Don WHO?
Never heard of him.



You will know them by their [font size=3]WORKS.[/font]

[senseandsensibility]

35. Wow. I forgot about that.

all over again.

[Arugula Latte]

52. Goddammit!!! This stuff just pisses me off so much!!!

[Tigress DEM]

48. Early morning brain fart. What exactly DID Siegelman get convicted for doing?

http://www.donsiegelman.org/


He got someone appointed to a non-paying state board position?


http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/is-it-bribery-or-just-politics/2012/02/09/gIQA4hy34Q_story.html

In 2006, he and a prominent Alabama businessman — Richard Scrushy, former chief executive of HealthSouth — were convicted of bribery. Here is why:

As governor, Siegelman advanced a ballot referendum to create a state lottery with revenue dedicated to education. After Scrushy raised and contributed $250,000 to the lottery campaign, Siegelman appointed him — as three previous governors had done — to a health-care-related state board, three members of which are required by law to be health-care professionals and all members of which serve without pay.

The lottery referendum lost, leaving the Democratic Party with a campaign debt. Siegelman and a wealthy Alabamian guaranteed a loan to pay it off, but Siegelman and others raised sufficient money — including another $250,000 from Scrushy through his company — to retire it. Note that half of the contributions involving Scrushy came after his appointment to the board.

[questionseverything]

49. ...

The "bribe"? Don Siegelman wanted to create a state lottery that would provide funds for Alabama youth to attend state college for free. Richard Scrushy, CEO of HealthSouth, donated $500,000 for a campaign to convince Alabamans this was a good idea. The lottery referendum went on the ballot. The half-million didn't benefit Siegelman's gubernatorial campaign or him personally -- unlike, say, the billions being poured into the current presidential race via the super PACS and individuals like Sheldon Adelson.

The referendum lost. It was opposed with money pouring in from nearby Mississippi, where Indian casinos, represented by Jack Abramoff, were threatened by the idea of Alabamans spending gambling money at home, for education.

[questionseverything]

50. first they had to steal an election

Siegelman's first indictment from federal prosecutors came in 2004. Already, in 2002, rumors of alleged "crimes" had circulated during Siegelman's campaign for re-election as governor. But he almost won anyway; he went to bed as the announced winner on election night. The next day, Bob Riley announced that he had won. A sudden redistribution of gubernatorial votes in Baldwin County had reduced Governor Siegelman's totals by 3000, giving the win to Riley. No other Baldwin County results shifted during this odd event. Republican Attorney General Bill Pryor denied a recount of the paper ballots

[red dog 1]

51. We need to put pressure the Obama Administration to pardon Gov. Siegelman

1) Contact the White House, by phone and e-mail & ask Obama why he hasn't pardoned Gov. Siegelman yet
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments/
Comments line 202-456-1111
Switchboard line 202-456-1414

2) Contact Vice President Joe Biden via e-mail and ask him if HE can do anything to help free Gov. Siegelman
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact-vp/

3) Contact Attorney General Eric Holder by phone and e-mail
http://www.justice.gov/contact-us.html
Dept. of Justice Main Switchboard..202-514-2000
Office of the Attorney general Public Comment line 202-353-1555


Meanwhile, we ALL need to sign Dana Siegelman's petition to Obama.to pardon her father.
The more names on the petition, the better.

http://www.change.org/petitions/president-obama-please-restore-justice-and-pardon-my-dad/

[senseandsensibility]

53. Thanks for these links.

Of course we should do this, but why is it even necessary? This is one of the first reasons that I became disillusioned with this administration. They need to be pressured to do what's so obviously right?

[red dog 1]

54. Your welcome.

Last edited Sun Sep 22, 2013, 04:25 PM - Edit history (1)

I agree that the Obama Administration does need to be pressured to do what's so obviously right.

In addition to the e-mails & phone calls to those I've already mentioned,
We all should also make calls to the White House switchboard at 202-456-1414 and ask to speak to:each of the following White House advisors, (leave question with each person's office)
"Why hasn't President Obama pardoned Governor Don Siegelman?
or "When will President Obama pardon Governor Don Siegelman?

Call the White House switchboard 202-456-1414, (6 separate calls)
ask for:

1)Chief of Staff Denis McDonough
2) Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors
3) Deputy Chief of Staff Alyssa Mastromonaco
4) Counselor to the President Peter Rouse
5) Senior advisor Valerie Jarrett
6) Senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer