In Birmingham, (AG) Holder Lobbied on Behalf of Siegelman

[trof]

Source: Locust Fork News-Journal

In Birmingham, Holder Lobbied on Behalf of Siegelman
August 28th, 2009

by Glynn Wilson

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder was lobbied to drop the case against former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman during his trip to Birmingham Thursday for the swearing in of Joyce White Vance as U.S. attorney for the state’s northern district, sources say.

Several people, including Alabama Democratic Party officials, spoke to Holder on behalf of Siegelman, and about firing U.S. Attorney Leura Canary — the prosecutor married to Karl Rove’s political ally Bill Canary of the conservative Business Council of Alabama — according to sources present for the swearing in.

Barry Ragsdale, an attorney with the Over the Mountain Democrats, acted as master of ceremonies for the swearing in. Apparently he is a funny guy. “I’m glad Karl Rove gave you permission to be here,” Ragsdale quipped, according to the Birmingham News account of the swearing in.

Read more: http://blog.locustfork.net/2009/08/28/in-birmingham-hol... /

[bertman]

1. I suppose we should be happy to know that he has been publicly apprised of the situation

with Siegelman. His actions to date wouldn't give a hint of that.

[hmorehead]

2. Aw hell

Spiegleman is about half Republican, anyway.

[trof]

3. Based on what?

[UpInArms]

4. huh? cite? evidence? link?

hit and run posts with nothing but your empty hand are not a good sign.

[hootinholler]

5. First I reject your premis...

But even if it was valid, please explain to me how it is pertinent to the abuse of the justice system to rail road the Gov into prison? Did you mean to imply that it's ok to railroad someone into jail based on their politics? That is a very republican idea and tactic.

-Hoot

[hmorehead]

7. ok -

He was defeated for re-election in 2002 by Bob Riley, a Republican who focused his campaign on the ethics complaints and criminal probes that had dogged the Siegelman administration. Mr. Siegelman sought to challenge the final vote tally that showed him trailing by 3,117 votes out of more than 1.3 million cast, but conceded after it became clear that a recount was unlikely to be granted.

During his single term in office, Mr. Siegelman's top aides and associates were embroiled in scandals that included bribery, tax evasion, phony invoices and fixed traffic tickets. Mr. Siegelman himself was indicted on bid-rigging charges in May of 2004 but those charges were dropped five months later.

In June 2006, he was convicted along with former HealthSouth chief executive, Richard M. Scrushy. The two men were convicted on bribery charges stemming from a donation Mr. Scrushy made to retire a campaign loan Mr. Siegelman had taken out during a referendum campaign seven years earlier; prosecutors said that Mr. Scrushy's appointment to the state hospital licensing board later was the result of the bribe. Mr. Siegelman was sentenced to seven years in prison, and was jailed immediately.

The case was considered unusual by many legal experts because actions like those Mr. Siegelman was accused of — exchanging a seat on the state board for a contribution — are hardly uncommon in state capitals around the country. The case became a center of controversy around the country in 2007, as the House Judiciary Committee began investigating charges that President Bush's top political advisor, Karl Rove, had played a role in the prosecution.

http://topics.nytimes.com/topics/reference/timestopics/...

Look: he's been in jams that are common place in this country and its not even clear he didn't do this last bribary. The fact that Turd Blossom Rove played a part in greasing the skids doesn't mean Don did not do the crime. This guy is in bed with the health industry.

[hootinholler]

10. So you contend he was not railroaded?

His conviction is valid?

Are you familiar with Larissa's reporting on this matter?

She paints a detailed picture compared to the NY Times.

-Hoot

[hmorehead]

20. Didn't say he was or was not guilty

just said that there was a possibility either way and that the White House fixed it so he'd never get a fair trial either way, they 'poisened the well.' Spiegelman was no saint. He may have been our crook, but he was still a crook.

[rhett o rick]

11. You are apparently not at all familiar with this case, or you're here just to cause trouble. nt

[hmorehead]

22. Nope, I just take a serious look at all

assects of someone before I support them. You've obviously only read the news regarding the White House interferring with his prosecution. You haven't read about the man himself. I think Rove needs to go to prison and I think Siegelman needs to be released, not because he's such a nice guy but because he did not get and cannot get a fair trial. Haven't you noticed this man can't seem to get anybody wholeheartedly behind him? He was a typical southern polititian and not some sort of statesman.

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. WTF makes you say that??

[hmorehead]

23. What makes YOU say that

I posted my article and link, what do you say besides a question?

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. I met Siegelman 2 weeks ago today

I can't imagine why anyone would call him a Republican.

[hmorehead]

26. Never said he was a Republican, said he was ward healing political hack

He gets no points for being my hack. I never said he was or wasn't a terrible criminal, in my mind he's pretty well a garden variety politician. I also say he has a Constitutional right to due process and equal access to justice and that the White House went out of its way to prosecute this case into a persicution. Doesn't mean he was a saint or a Cunningham. OK?

[proud2BlibKansan]

27. No you just said he was "half" Republican

"Spiegleman is about half Republican, anyway."

[hmorehead]

28. and......?

[defendandprotect]

14. If that was even a tiny bit true, they wouldn't have had to steal the election -- !!!

Rather, Siegelman stands against all that the Repugs have to offer -- !!!

And, evidently, the voters understood that!

[hmorehead]

24. He stands for Siegleman

not for democracy or even Dems vs Repubs. He's just another politician who got politic-ed on. It was more a pissing match than a struggle between good and evil. But the Republicans who suborned justice in his prosecution need a little jail times themselves.

[DCKit]

17. Let it go, give 'em more rope.

He's free on bail, the BushCo* attorneys don't have that "freedoms". They're fucked.

[MasonJar]

6. Holder has been front and center letting GOPers go like Ted Stevens.

And Stevens was guilty. Seigelman is innocent and he cannot seem to get Holder's attention. I still think Bushista got something on Obama via wiretapping. Thanks to the Alabama dems for standing up for Seigelman and asking that Canary be fired. Why are the two women AG conspirators still in power in Alabama?

[defendandprotect]

15. Don't understand why they haven't renewed the charges on Stevens??

[rudy23]

21. I honestly think at this point that keeping their hands off Rove is part of some deal.

Why else is Rove still showing his mug on camera, out in the public eye with not a care in the world?

[LaPera]

8. Another frightful Dem afraid of what republicans might do - piss in their pants Dems & let

republicans push them around, do as they please break laws with no worry or repercussions as well as dictate policy....

I don't give a fuck if you don't believe it, it's fact! So shut the fuck up!

[dhpgetsit]

12. Well that was a long time coming.

Why doesn't he can the Bush appointed judges now?

[defendandprotect]

16. Among other issues, I try to remember this one as often as possible . . .

in e-mail to my NJ state Senators -- and to Pelosi/Reid ....

because I think this case shows the real threat of DOJ corruption by the

right wing to all Democrats!!

So, I'm glad to see this -- but not nearly enough!

Several people, including Alabama Democratic Party officials....

[Kingofalldems]

13. Karl Rove's DU pal will not like this one

Already declared Siegelman guilty.

[Hissyspit]

18. In Birmingham they love the governor?

[QC]

19. Maybe when Holder's through turning loose all the Republican crooks

he'll look into Don's situation.

Let's not hold our breath, though.