Comments on: Seale, Dawson, and the Miss. Bus Journal, round…uh… I think 3

By: roberts wilson,jr

roberts wilson,jr — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:25:47 +0000

Partisanship goes beyond law and reason

By: NMC

NMC — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:44:55 +0000

it’s a big big deal. i just posted about it.

By: bellesouth

bellesouth — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:39:22 +0000

The decision affirmed all three appellants guilty of conspiracy in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; mail, wire, and honest services fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1346, and 2; and Minor’s conviction of racketeering in violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), 18 U.S.C. § 1962….

By: Anderson

Anderson — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:13:55 +0000

Here's the opinion.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:08:55 +0000

That’s what the CL article says, Belle (perhaps they updated it).

No op on the CA5 website! Very frustrating. Thanks, Ampal!

By: bellesouth

bellesouth — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:05:35 +0000

Well, the CL kind of got it wrong. Three counts as to federal program bribery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 666 were tossed. All others counts were affirmed.

Had the judge known these counts would no longer be involved he might have analyzed the matter differently. See United States v. Puig-Infante, 19 F.3d 929, 950 (5th Cir. 1994). We note that, in case of Minor, because he received his longest sentence for his RICO conviction (one hundred and thirty-two months), remand might but will not necessarily result in a reduced sentence.

By: ampal

ampal — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:48:10 +0000

minor case thrown out. half of dawson and lange’s book has been tossed out the window.

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20091211/NEWS/91211009/Appeals+panel+tosses+out+Minor+bribery+conviction

By: DeltaLawMama

DeltaLawMama — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:29:22 +0000

Ah, yes. The Streisand Effect. Good point Catty.

By: catty

catty — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:24:17 +0000

Coast sales on the Kings of Tort were great.
Lots of attorneys lining up to get a signed copy and suggest there is more news out there for another book.
Rave on Seale; BellSouth…it only helps sell the book.

By: meanderline

meanderline — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:51:38 +0000

I’m a little late to this party.

I have no problem with ex-public officials writing about matters in which they were involved so long as confidentiality is respected. History is the beneficiary, and -if as Mr. Seale seems to be arguing – that the fruits of fame may motivate them to get off their bureaucratic behinds and undertake some uphill sledding – well, that may not be such a bad thing.

On the flip side, very few states have laws prohibiting criminals from writing and profiting about their “exploits,” a particularly appropriate word for those, like Scruggs, who have exploited the system. Right now it seems the easiest way to become a millionaire is to commit a repulsive act, and then sell your story, witness all Tiger Woods mistresses. No doubt Scruggs will pen his memoirs in the near future. In the meantime it seems only fair to let the good guys profit from doing good.