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Judi Lynn

(160,530 posts) Wed Apr 27, 2016, 11:09 PM Apr 2016

U.S. top court poised to overturn Virginia ex-governor's bribery conviction

Source: Reuters

U.S. top court poised to overturn Virginia ex-governor's bribery conviction

By Lawrence Hurley

April 27, 2016

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared poised to throw out the corruption convictions of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, a move federal prosecutors fear could undermine their ability to bring crooked politicians to justice.

During the one-hour argument, several of the eight justices signaled that McDonnell's acceptance of $177,000 in luxury gifts and sweetheart loans from a businessman seeking to promote a dietary supplement did not constitute a criminal act.

They voiced concern that the broad interpretation of U.S. anti-corruption law used by federal prosecutors could criminalize numerous commonplace actions by politicians.

U.S. Justice Department lawyer Michael Dreeben told the justices overturning McDonnell's conviction and giving politicians more leeway to accept gifts in return for certain actions would be a "recipe for corruption."

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/supreme-court-weighs-virginia-ex-governors-corruption-appeal-040338747.html?nhp=1

6 replies

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U.S. top court poised to overturn Virginia ex-governor's bribery conviction (Original Post) Judi Lynn Apr 2016 OP

and Governor Sieigelman's been in prison for HOW long? elleng Apr 2016 #1

I was just going to post the same thing. n/t Stonepounder Apr 2016 #2

What's common can NEVER be corrupt!! Perish the very THOUGHT! closeupready Apr 2016 #3

No words, just mountain grammy Apr 2016 #4

Our entire justice system is corrupt. tabasco Apr 2016 #5

Mere speculation.... How can anyone know what those 8 are thinking? groundloop Apr 2016 #6

elleng

(130,908 posts)

1. and Governor Sieigelman's been in prison for HOW long?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Wed Apr 27, 2016, 11:12 PM

Apr 2016

Stonepounder

(4,033 posts)

2. I was just going to post the same thing. n/t

Reply to elleng (Reply #1)

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 12:12 AM

Apr 2016

closeupready

(29,503 posts)

3. What's common can NEVER be corrupt!! Perish the very THOUGHT!

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 12:32 AM

Apr 2016

mountain grammy

(26,621 posts)

4. No words, just

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 10:08 AM

Apr 2016

tabasco

(22,974 posts)

5. Our entire justice system is corrupt.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 10:24 AM

Apr 2016

1) In WV, a wealthy mine operator gets a misdemeanor conviction for intentionally ignoring safety laws resulting in 29 dead miners.

2) Republican Va. Ex-governor gets off scot-free after accepting bribes for favors.

3) In MD, disabled combat veteran with PTSD gets felony conviction and year in jail for having 10 pot plants in his closet.

The list of injustices goes on and on in our declining and corrupt society.

groundloop

(11,519 posts)

6. Mere speculation.... How can anyone know what those 8 are thinking?

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Thu Apr 28, 2016, 10:26 AM

Apr 2016

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