11 charged in Alabama corruption federal case

[n2doc]

Source: CNN

(CNN) -- Federal officials announced charges Monday against 11 people in Alabama as part of a 39-count indictment alleging corruption related to the state legislature, the Justice Department announced.

The suspects are four Alabama state legislators; three lobbyists; two business owners and one of their employees; and an employee of the Alabama legislature, said Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and Assistant FBI Director Kevin Perkins.

The suspects were charged in connection with their alleged roles in a conspiracy to bribe and offer to bribe legislators for their votes and influence on proposed legislation, the federal officials said.

"The alleged criminal scheme was astonishing in scope," Breuer said. "Indeed, as alleged in the indictment, the defendants' corrupt conduct infiltrated every layer of the legislative process in the state of Alabama."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/10/04/alabama.corruption.arrests/index.html?hpt=T1

[LiberalAndProud]

1. Odd. It looks like politics as usual to me. And now I find it's actually against the law.

Will this transform DC? Somehow I think ... probably not.

[truedelphi]

4. That is rather how I felt about the Blagojevich scenario too.

I have been outside the offices of local officials when they are discussing deals that go down.

Most politicians are smart enough to never SAY OUT LOUD things like "For one million dollars I will set up a person as the new (Fill in the blank of the position.)"

In 1999, I remember being outside the office of one of Marin's most notable Supervisors.

Then, Marin's most notable supposedly retired politician came in the guy's office and said he wanted "in" on the homeless situation (Marin was building a new homeless shelter at the time.)

The first pol didn't say anything, but there were these flickers of facial expressions, going back and forth between the two men, and then the "retired" politician silently beamed a big "thank you" using only facial expresions and picked up his ever present attache case and walked out the door.

Smiling wildly.

[Bitwit1234]

2. Well there is absolutely no mention of the party of any of these people

I have googled and googles and the only thing that comes up about legislators being arrested in Alabama is Seiglman. And this article which doesn't tell their party. But since it is Alabama they must be republicans.

[jaxx]

3. Larry Means, James Preuitt, Quinton Ross and Harri Anne Smith.

Means...D
Preuitt...R
Ross...D
Smith...I

according to this: http://www.legislature.state.al.us/senate/senators/senateroster_alpha.html

[littlewolf]

11. greed and corruption knows no party affiliation

[sabra]

5. interesting note: Bush US Attorney Canary was recused in the investigation

http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/10/doj-announces-astonishing-alabama-public-corruption-case-.html

<snip>

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama, led by U.S. Attorney Leura Canary, appointed by President George W. Bush, was recused in the investigation, according to Breuer. He said the case came out of the Public Integrity Section at Main Justice.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. You know her husband is head of the Alabama Business Council,

the statewide Org. that hand picks every candidate for office?
She of course remains in office, the other US Attorney positions have been refilled, but not hers.

Wonder how many "loyal Bushies" are in the Public integrity Section?

[EFerrari]

10. Great catch, sabra! n/t

[No Elephants]

12. When will Obama rid us of Bush appointees,, esp. in the attorneys"

It's not too partisan to do what every President has done. Besides, may of Bush's attorney hires attended religious law schools that were not accredited when they attended and/or failed the bar exam. Plus, they had passed hiring tests for being homophobic, anti-choice and pro religion intruding into government.

Please, please, get them out.

[Mnemosyne]

6. Wish asshole Shelby's name was on that list. Turncoat liar. n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

7. Sadly, these are all *state* Senators.

I would surely love to see that evil elf Sessions do the perp walk, but he wasn't on the market this time.

[Mnemosyne]

14. Us Senators apparently get a pass on criminal activity, see Ted Stevens.

I agree on Sessions :puke:

[Tx4obama]

8. K & R n/t

[riskpeace]

13. Sept 28th: Gilley: Please arrest me

http://www2.dothaneagle.com/news/2010/sep/28/gilley-please-arrest-me-ar-891548/

(Casino owner) Gilley said since he has been stymied in state civil court and federal civil court, he is ready to try a different avenue to argue the legality of Country Crossing's electronic bingo machines. "Come arrest me right now. Put the handcuffs on me. Give me a speedy trial,"

I guess this falls into the "Be careful what you wish for ......" category.