KenDckey -> Govenor McDonnell May get off (4/28/2016 1:21:54 PM)
|
http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/04/argument-analysis-anti-corruption-law-in-trouble/#more-242148 McDonnell was convicted of corruption in the form of multiple charges of performing “official acts” as governor, in return for money, loans, expensive gifts and outings from Virginia businessman Jonnie R. Williams — who, prosecutors said, did all of those favors for the governor in return for the governor’s help in arranging contacts in state government who could advance Williams’s business product, a health supplement made from tobacco leaves. It was that single phrase, “official acts,” that was the target of the most skeptical of the Justices on Wednesday. Justice Kennedy ridiculed it as reaching even a janitor who took a bottle of beer for doing some extra cleaning in an office. Justice Breyer said it was so open-ended that no member of Congress could ask any government official to look into the private matter of interest for a political donor. Chief Justice Roberts marveled at the “extraordinary” fact that a bevy of former White House staff lawyers who had served several presidents submitted an amicus brief warning of the dreadful consequences for democracy if the McDonnell verdict stood. The above being 2 excerpts from the post that I feel show the crus of the case. I can this case, if the verdict stands (and I will agree that he probably did wrong) the politiican who hires a secretary or aide, or anyone else that supported him during a political campaign might be a violation of the law. Even asking someone to get a cup of coffee could be construed as a political favor even if they werre going to the pot anyway.
|
|
|
|