CORRUPTION SUCKS BLOG

McDonnell: GUILTY on 11 counts-Corruption Jury reaches verdict in federal corruption case of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell [The jury has convicted former Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and his wife Maureen on 11 counts in their corruption trial.] After 17 and a half hours of  deliberations, the jurors in the McDonnell trial have reached a verdict. The verdict is expected to be read in court shortly. The decision will bring to a close a trial that seemed to grip the nation since it began in July with the shocking revelation by defense attorneys that the McDonnells’ marriage was shattered, and that would be a core element of their attempt to beat the charges. Maureen McDonnell, wife of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, also found guilty of obstruction of justice in corruption case.

Post by Ean Lee Bordeaux . How does a stop for jaywalking turn into a homicide and how does that turn into an American town essentially coming under military control with snipers, tear gas, and a no-fly zone? We don’t yet know exactly what happened between the two individuals on the day in question but events like this don’t happen without a deeper context. Part of the context is the return of debtor’s prisons that I wrote about in 2012: Debtor’s prisons are supposed to be illegal in the United States  but today poor people who fail to pay even small criminal justice fees are routinely being imprisoned. The problem has gotten worse recently because strapped states have dramatically increased the number of criminal justice fees….Failure to pay criminal justice fees can result in revocation of an individual’s drivers license, arrest and imprisonment. Individuals with revoked licenses who drive (say to work to earn money to pay their fees) and are apprehended ca

TRIBUTE PAGE James Foley (1973-2014) James Foley James’ mother describes him as an “extraordinary son.” To us, he was an extraordinary journalist, who abhorred violence and  was motivated by the desire to highlight the plight of the victims of war. As an internationally renowned journalist, James’ work took him to Libya and Syria. While being held captive by the Islamic State, he remained impassive in the face of threats, clinging to the hope that he would eventually return home. Courageous and composed, he communicated his hope to his fellow prisoners. Reporters Without Borders extends its sincere condolences to his family, especially his mother, who came to our headquarters in Paris. As an organization, we had known James ever since he raised funds with other photo journalists and the assistance of Reporters Without Borders to support the education of the three children of his friend Anton Hammerl, killed in Libya in April 2011. In memory of James Foley, Rep

Post by Ean Lee Bordeaux . Mr. Mayor, Directors and City Manager: At tonight's board meeting, I expect that Director Ken Richardson will make a motion to rescind the vote to allow the placement of a 20-pump convenience store at the old Brandon House site. Further, that motion will likely be attended by a proposal to endorse an objective study to help determine the impact of gas stations/convenience stores on ne ighborhoods all over the city. I am asking for your support of the rescission motion, followed by support of the study--understanding another vote on the gas station may follow. I care deeply about what happens south of I-630. I live there on purpose, on Fair Park, where I am seeing positive changes that I desperately want to see continue throughout the entire neighborhood and the rest of South 630. What we place there matters when it comes to attracting family-friendly businesses to our area. We already have enough other "stuff." I am also well aware

7 protesters arrested overnight in Ferguson The Huffington Post’s Ryan Reilly joins to discuss the overnight events in Ferguson after a curfew ordered by Gov. Jay Nixon went into effect.

Title 42, U.S.C., Section 14141 makes it unlawful for state or local law enforcement agencies to allow officers to engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives persons of rights protected by the Constitution or U.S. laws. This law, commonly referred to as the Police Misconduct Statute, gives the Department of Justice authority to seek civil remedies in cases where law enforcement agencies have policies or practices that foster a pattern of misconduct by employees. This action is directed against an agency, not against individual officers. The types of issues which may initiate a pattern and practice investigation include: --Lack of supervision/monitoring of officers’ actions; --Lack of justification or reporting by officers on incidents involving the use of force; --Lack of, or improper training of, officers; and **Citizen complaint processes that treat complainants as adversaries.** A HOT-DOG-SELLING BLOGGER TOLD US ABOUT THE ALLEGED CORRUPT COP HE SAYS TRIED T

Khulubuse Zuma’s R100bn oil deal http://www.citypress.co.za/news/khulubuse-zumas-r100bn-oil-deal/ President Jacob Zuma apparently played a crucial role in ensuring that his nephew Khulubuse Zuma was allocated two DRC oilfields. Picture: Daniel Born / The Times Controversial business tycoon Khulubuse Zuma is sitting on a R100 billion oil fortune in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which he allegedly obtained with the help of his uncle, President Jacob Zuma. A City Press investigation has discovered that President Zuma played a crucial role in a 2010 decision by DRC President Joseph Kabila to allocate two oilfields in the northeast of the country to his nephew. Eight months before Kabila issued a decree for Khulubuse Zuma to bag two of the most prized oil licences in sub-Saharan Africa, Jacob Zuma met his DRC counterpart in Kinshasa, where they allegedly discussed the oilfields. A top-level intelligence source with inside knowledge of the relationship b

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/news/man-police-shot-in-walmart-killed-over-fake-gun-fa/ngw77/ By  Steve Bennish  and  Eric Robinette   Staff Writer Relatives of John Crawford, the man shot dead by police at a Beavercreek Walmart, say they’ve contacted civil rights organizations because they believe the shooting was not justified. They believe he was killed possibly after he picked up a toy gun in the store. John H. Crawford III. Crawford, 22, of Ridge Drive in Fairfield, was identified as the man Beavercreek police shot and killed Tuesday night. LeeCee Johnson, who said she is the mother of Crawford’s children, said she was on a cell phone call with Crawford when he was shot by officers. She said Crawford went to the area to visit family members. “We was just talking. He said he was at the video games playing videos and he went over there by the toy section where the toy guns were. And the next thing I know, he said ‘It’s not real,’ and the police start shoot

http://wtvr.com/2014/08/07/wife-sets-husband-on-fire/ RENTON, Wash. – The video shows a man running into a Washington state convenience store screaming “I’m on fire!” and “Help me!” The video was recorded minutes after Vincent Phillips’ wife dosed him with gasoline and set him on fire while he slept, according to a report on KOMONews.com . She told police she set Philips, 52, on fire because he hurt her seven-year-old daughter. The child is his step daughter. Police recommended Philips be charged with first-degree child molestation once he recovers from the July 17 incident. Phillips suffered severe burns. When asked why she did it, his wife said shooting him “was too nice.” His wife, 40-year-old Tatanysha Hedman, was jailed on assault and arson charges.

UPDATED :  BULL SHOALS — An Arkansas police chief has agreed to resign and never serve in law enforcement again in exchange for federal prosecutors dropping a charge against him. The Baxter Bulletin  reported that Bull Shoals Police Chief Daniel Sutterfield took the deal Monday. Federal prosecutors have dropped an excessive force charge stemming from a July 2013 arrest. A federal jury in Harrison  found Sutterfield innocent of conspiracy and filing a false report in July. The jury was deadlocked on the excessive force charge. A retrial had been set for August in Fayetteville. He faced up to 10 years in prison. The prosecutors can initiate the criminal case against Sutterfield if the conditions of the agreement aren't met. Read Wednesday's  Arkansas Democrat-Gazette  for more. Post by Ean Lee Bordeaux .