Congressional Committee Prepares Clemens Referral

The New York Times has reported that staff members of the Congressional Commitee before which baseball icon Roger Clemens and his former personal trainer Brian McNamee recently testified regarding Clemens alleged use of performance enhancing drugs have drafted a letter asking the Justice Department to investigate whether Clemens committed perjury. The request reportedly relates to both Clemens public testimony and the deposition that he gave to staff lawyers before the hearing. The Times reports that, as of this time, the draft letter does not similarly request that McNamee be investigated. Perhaps once the Congress and Justice Department determine whether Roger Clemens lied about taking steroids, it can get on to really important business. Like figuring out how pervasive the New England Patriots illegal spying program was.

Clemens

I am glad to see that the Justice Department is now pursuing real criminals, as I have long been suggesting that they ought to do. We should know soon, thanks to our federal government, whether Roger Clemens ever took performance enhancing drugs. Praise God!

Milton Street, Tax Denier?

The Philadelphia Inquirer, our city’s newspaper of record, evidently is not impressed by what it expects will be Milton Street’s defense against federal tax charges. Guess we might as well skip the trial and proceed to sentencing. He’s guilty of all charges, just like that other tax nut, Wesley Snipes.

Philadelphia Weekly Profiles Michael Coard

Philadelphia Weekly, one of our local indpendent newspapers, this week ran a very interesting profile on local defense attorney Michael Coard. I do not know Mr. Coard personally, but I have had the privilege of seeing him work in court. Based upon what I have read, I don’t think that he and I would see eye to eye on a Holy Host of issues (including the guilt of Mumia Abu Jamal). Nonetheless, Michael is a dogged defender of his client’s rights, and is a passionate advocate. I share his view that the imbalance in power between the government an the accused necessitates vigorous and zealous representation of the accused. I highly recommend that you take a look at the Philly Weekly profile.

OJ Seeks Dismissal of Half of the Charges Against Him

The Associated Press reported recently that OJ Simpson last week filed a motion seeking to have half of the charges against him – including the top level kidnapping charge – dismissed. Whatever you think of Simpson – like that he killed his ex-wife and Ron Goldman (which he probably did) – there is a reasonable basis to argue that he is being persecuted in Nevada because of who he is. The kidnapping and armed robbery charges are absurd and should be dismissed. If I were a betting man, though, I’d wager that the motion is denied.

Snipes Acquitted on Tax Charges

Actor Wesley Snipes was acquitted Friday of tax fraud and willful failure to file tax returns, by far the most serious of the charges against him. He was convicted on three lesser misdemeanor charges of failure to file tax returns. Snipes’ acquittal is a major, major defeat for federal prosecutors and for the Internal Revenue Service, notwithstanding the fact that Snipes’ co-defendants were convicted on all counts. Snipes had faced a possible sentencing risk of 16 years in federal prison. The indicated sentence for the three misdemeanors os probation, meaning that, unless the presiding judge finds compelling reasons to impose a more severe sentence, Snipes will avoid jail time altogether. The prosecutors and the IRS are likely stunned by this result. They should not be. There is a grwoing anti-government sentiment in this country. Many – if not most – people are becoming convinced that the federal government abuses whatever legitimate authority that it has, that its prosecutors over-charge and pursue prosecutions with the zeal of Inspector Javert witout regard for the human toll they are exacting, especially where non-violent offenses are involved. The antipathy felt for the IRS is greater, still, and this verdict is, I think, perhaps a reflection of the distrust and low regard with which many Americans view the federal government. One would hope that federal prosecutors would get the message and spend their time pursing real cases against real criminals. I’m not holding my breath.