Bobby Harrell, the SC House Speaker, has resigned, pled guilty, and become a government informant.

[Are_grits_groceries]

COLUMBIA, SC — Bobby Harrell, the ex-speaker of the S.C. House who pleaded guilty Thursday to state charges of misusing campaign money and agreed to resign his office, is now locked into an ironclad plea deal that requires him to tell federal and state authorities about illegal activities of others, including lawmakers.

The five-page plea deal allows Harrell, one of South Carolina’s most powerful politicians, to avoid prison, but it puts him on probation and levies $130,000 in fines and penalties.

But Harrell has promised to help the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI and must take lie detector tests to ensure he’s telling the truth – under the risk of going behind bars.

Such cooperation agreements are rarely used in state courts, but are more common in federal court, where law enforcement authorities often use a negotiated guilty plea to see if they can get information about other peoples’ criminal activities.

“I’ve only done a handful of these in state court,” said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, a 20-year prosecutor assigned to the Harrell case.
<snip>
Much more: http://www.thestate.com/2014/10/23/3763350/from-powerful-official-to-government.html

He may clear out the statehouse and more. There are a lot of nervous people right now. Once more people start rolling to avoid jail time, down she goes.

[Xipe Totec]

1. Sing like a canary

[Brigid]

14. Haven't heard this in years!

I used to have this on a 45! *Waxes nostalgic*

[Voice for Peace]

16. OT: this took me down a side street.

Sesame Street, to be precise..

Composer Joe Raposo
unsung artist with a heart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Raposo

Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH (February 8, 1937 – February 5, 1989) was a Portuguese American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie". He also wrote music for television shows such as The Electric Company, Shining Time Station and the sitcoms Three's Company and The Ropers, including their theme songs. In addition to these works, Raposo also composed extensively for the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises such as Halloween Is Grinch Night, Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? and The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat.

[ReRe]

2. Ahhh...

... another scandal. This is going to be interesting. Hopefully it won't take as long as the Chris Christie scandal to come to a head.

[Half-Century Man]

3. Clues, rumors, or hints as to who might be in the path of the falling dominoes?

I'd like to see the Heritage Foundation, Americans for prosperity, and the Koch's answering a shit load of questions under oath.

[Are_grits_groceries]

4. None that I've picked up yet.

Last edited Sat Oct 25, 2014, 11:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Some state officials will be first. After that, it will depend on the connections and who has what evidence. I am not ruling anybody out Dems included. They are a tangled nest of vipers.

As far as Kochs and higher groups, I have no idea. I don't rule it out, but there will have to be some ironclad evidence and a big name rolling over. I can't see people going to jail for some of the small fish. However, when it comes to the big ones, some may be willing to sit there with the pressure that can be brought by those more important individuals.

[Half-Century Man]

5. The John Doe investigations here in Wisconsin have some potential to strike nationally.

I suspect there were very good reasons (lavish junket attending) Judge Randa ordered evidence destroyed. There are the rumors Walker was preparing to flip when a strongly worded threat was published in the WSJ. This is from May 30th.

This clip is one of my current favorite things.

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. I don't think "under oath" means anything to people like that.

They assume that they are way above the law.

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. That's why they have the lie detector test written into the deal.

They know Harrell.

[riqster]

13. Lie detectors cannot be used in court.

That might be a weak point. Stay tuned.

[Half-Century Man]

17. Not normally,no they can't be used.

However, as part of a plea deal, one party of which is an experienced Federal prosecutor..........

[riqster]

19. True.

I get wired up every few years for work, and there's lots of "interpretation" going on. Hopefully that won't come back to bite the good guys. For now, this is a very hopeful development.

[malaise]

6. Please add

ReTHUG before or after his name

[Are_grits_groceries]

11. I think it's a given anymore.

[jwirr]

7. If all these R criminals win in 2014 we may have to move from the Capital to the jail to hold a

session.

[malthaussen]

9. Break out the popcorn.

Although I wish the plea had included a little jail time, just for the fun of it. Maybe he'll goof and admit to something not covered by immunity.

-- Mal

[Bluenorthwest]

12. That's pretty great!

Will be glued to the story....

[Faux pas]

15. Oh yeah!

[KoKo]

18. K&R....Important Read for Democrats going to the Polls!