Re: bridge scandal. Christie appointees have hired CRIMINAL defense lawyers.

[pnwmom]

This isn't some little thing. You don't hire expensive criminal defense lawyers unless you're in real trouble.

http://www.samefacts.com/2013/12/corruption-in-washington/christies-henchmen-lawyer-up/


The Chris Christie/Ft. Lee/George Washington Bridge lane closure scandal is now moving a warp speed. Now we’ve taken what may be the fatal next step, from “overblown,” “mistakes were made,” and “turning the page” – all markers of a simple scandal – to the point where the people directly implicated decide whether to save their own skins by selling out their bosses.

The Wall Street Journal reports that both David Wildstein and Bill Baroni have now “lawyered up.” If you’re Christie, that’s bad. The Journal also reports that they’ve both hired criminal defense lawyers. If you’re Christie, that’s worse.

Wildstein’s lawyer’s previous clients include Sharpe James, the appallingly corrupt Mayor of Newark replaced by Cory Booker; James wound up spending 18 months in a federal penitentiary. If you’re Christie, that’s just awful; Wildstein didn’t hire a top corruption-defense lawyer just to advise him on how to respond to subpoenas. He clearly thinks he’s in deep doo-doo, and probably in deep Federal doo-doo at that.

But the worst news – if you’re Christie – is that Baroni’s lawyer is a former Assistrant U.S. Attorney in New Jersey named Michael Himmel.

In 2009, Mr. Himmel also represented Solomon Dwek, a former real estate investor who pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering charges. Mr. Dwek became an FBI informant in a case brought by Mr. Christie that implicated dozens of elected officials in a widespread corruption investigation.

SNIP

[jberryhill]

1. Damn that 6th Amendment!

[Cha]

2. You mean like being

criminals? What the hell were they thinking?!

I read that earlier today.. there was a link in a link.. I found it fascinating by Mark Kleiman.. whom I'm totally with, btw!

"Now, it’s possible I’m being too optimistic about this. Perhaps Himmel is a Christie loyalist, who will be working to protect his ex-boss as well as his nominal client. But on the surface, this looks about as bad for Christie – which is to say, about as good for the future of the American Republic – as it possibly could."

[Unknown Beatle]

3. I hope

They also bring charges on Christie. That guy is about as corrupt and petty as they come.

[Gothmog]

4. This will be fun to watch

Talking the 5th will not help Christie

[musiclawyer]

5. I said this back when this started

I know because this is the stuff I try to prevent for a living. Using public office for private gain, monetary or not, is a felony in virtually every state in the country. If Christie gave an order he's done because the question will be asked and can't answered, staining him forever .... If he did not give the order the question cannot be answered without self incrimination and Christie looks bad because his posse is criminal .... Lose lose