Plot Thickens On Siegelman Prosecution and Air Force Tanker Deal

[ensho]

http://legalschnauzer.blogspot.com/2010/04/plot-thickens-on-siegelman-prosecution.html


Former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman has confirmed that his prosecution probably was driven partly by the prolonged battle over a massive Air Force tanker contract.

Andrew Kreig, executive director of the Justice Integrity Project, shines new light on the Siegelman case--and its ties to major national stories, in a new piece at OpEd News. Here is how Kreig summarizes the latest on the Siegelman story:

Imprisoned businessman Richard Scrushy, a defendant in the most controversial federal prosecution of the decade, last week repeated his call for the presiding judge to remove himself, even as the disputes widened to include reported Supreme Court contender Elena Kagan, up to $50 billion in scandal-ridden Air Force contracts, and Karl Rove's best-selling new memoir.

-snip-

Speaking of the Air Force, Kreig follows up on his report from last week about the Siegelman prosecution and its possible ties to a tanker contract that could be worth $50 billion. Alabama is expected to be the site of a major assembly plant if Europe-based EADS wins the contract over U.S.-based Boeing--and Kreig now provides insight from Siegelman himself. Writes Kreig:

The EADS-led plan would replace Boeing Corp., the previous tanker builder. Years ago, EADS used competitive intelligence agents to show that Boeing had bribed an Air Force procurement officer. My article noted that an EADS victory would enable an assembly plant in Alabama, as advocated by four European heads of state, major global financiers and some U.S. politicians.

-snip-

Kreig shows how the Siegelman case could have an impact on the process to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat vacated by retiring John Paul Stevens. That's because one prominent contender, U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan, has taken controversial positions regarding the Siegelman matter. Writes Kreig:

-snip-

But Kagan, now widely reported as a leading candidate to ascend from her post as Justice Department solicitor general to become her friend Obama's nominee for a Supreme Court vacancy, urged the high court in November to deny Siegelman a hearing.

-snip-

Karl Rove has stepped into the fray while promoting his new book. Writes Kreig:


Concurring with DOJ's view is former White House advisor Rove, now on book tour promoting his memoir "Courage and Consequence" that denies any improper role by him, others in the Bush White House, prosecutors or the judge.

Also, Rove mocks whistleblowers and congressional Democrats alike who have become involved in the Siegelman/Scrushy case.

One Rove target is California Congressman Adam Schiff, the House Judiciary Committee's chief interrogator last July asking Rove about his role in DOJ prosecutions. In his book, Rove says Schiff "was clearly not prepared."

Rove also attacks Jill Simpson, an Alabama lawyer who became a key whistleblower in the Siegelman case. Writes Kreig:

-snip-

Simpson responds that the facts would become obvious if Congress for the first time summoned witnesses for a public hearing under oath, or if the Supreme Court would examine the court filings on Fuller's conflicts. Siegelman, released on bond in 2008 by federal appeals court Democrats promptly after CBS 60 Minutes alleged GOP misconduct, also seeks Supreme Court review and a first-ever congressional hearing.
---------------------------------


this ain't over

[librechik]

1. Kagan needs to be removed from the short SCOTUS list for this.

talk about activist judges!

[elleng]

3. ?

'Kagan, now widely reported as a leading candidate to ascend from her post as Justice Department solicitor general to become her friend Obama's nominee for a Supreme Court vacancy, urged the high court in November to deny Siegelman a hearing.

She cited technical legal arguments >>>'

[librechik]

6. yep--when it's obvious to anyone with a brain that prosecution was tainted from the beginning

and I like my SCOTUS judges to have a brain--and no hidden agendas.

[rudy23]

10. I wonder why it's not obvious to Eric Holder?

Does anyone else think there was some sort of deal that Obama made to never lay a finger on Rove?

Seeing as how most of us could prosecute Rove in our pajamas with 15 minutes of Googling, you have to wonder why the DOJ seems to still be giving him 100% immunity as he lobs grenades from behind the FOX News desk.

[rudy23]

11. Does anyone else think Kagan is a SC candidate precisely because she played ball on Rove?

Looks like it might be a quid pro quo deal to me.

[Octafish]

4. +1

Siegelman and Krushy were railroaded by Bush and his cronies.
Why she would support these crooks is a real surprise.

[EFerrari]

7. Seriously, what is that about? This prosecution was corrupt

in about every way a prosecution can be corrupt.

[Octafish]

12. Wall Street may provide the unifying principle.

Big Money awaits those who serve Big Money.

Lawrence Summers gave Ms. Kagan a big break, as did University of Chicago.

FWIW: After her husband became a U.S. Senator, U of C Hospital gave the future first lady a big raise.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[EFerrari]

5. Yes, she does.

:kick:

[bleever]

8. +3.

[HillWilliam]

2. K&R #5

What was done to Siegelman stinks to high heaven. One of these days the whole truth will come out. There's a steady drip, but the dam hasn't quite broken yet.

[disillusioned73]

9. How long is this story

gonna linger before it gains serious traction?? Every time I hear something about it I wonder is this going to break this thing wide open and then..... nothing. How much obvious evidence is needed for the Justice Dept. to make a move???


"But Kagan, now widely reported as a leading candidate to ascend from her post as Justice Department solicitor general to become her friend Obama's nominee for a Supreme Court vacancy, urged the high court in November to deny Siegelman a hearing."

Enough said - Kagan SHOULD be removed from "the list"