Voting and Election Fraud

As we approach election day, I remember some of my "war stories" from my days as a federal prosecutor, during which I prosecuted the largest vote-buying case in U.S. history. In that case, I successfully prosecuted a total of 28 defendants for buying votes in Dodge County, Georgia, including a sheriff and two county commissioners. I wish I could say that I "cleaned up Dodge," but the U.S. Attorney's Office was required to "make a little visit" there again and lock up some folks not too long ago!

Election problems and voting fraud continue to pose a serious problem in this country. Consider the following examples:

• In Nevada, there have been reports that, when voters have gone in to vote, their ballots have already been marked for Senator Harry Reid;
• In Illinois, election officials missed the deadline for mailing absentee ballots to soldiers overseas, so that they can vote;
• In Daytona Beach, Florida, a city commissioner was arrested earlier today and charged with absentee ballot fraud in connection with his own re-election bid.

Election fraud is a serious problem which strikes at the heart of our Constitution. Don't you agree? Do you believe electronic (computer) voting is more safe, or less safe, than paper ballot voting?

Atlanta Attorney Pleads Guilty in Federal Court

Did you hear the news? An Atlanta area attorney, Michael Shaw, (not pictured above), just entered a guilty plea in federal court to fraud charges involving fraudulent invoices which he submitted to his old law firm between 2003 and 2009. And get this: the fraudulent invoices from fictitious vendors which he submitted to his employer totalled up to more than a whopping half-million dollars over the six year period! Shaw now reportedly faces up to thirty years in a federal prison, although his federal sentencing guidelines score will likely net him a much lower sentence.

Don't you agree that it is incredible that he got away with it for as long as he did? How often do you believe such crimes go undetected? Once again, this criminal case illustrates the importance of each business having adequate checks and balances concerning payments of invoices.

Indigent Defense in Georgia: The Costs of Justice

A war is currently raging in the State of Georgia. No, I am not referring to a political or sporting contest. It is a battle over whether or not the State's General Assembly will adequately fund indigent criminal defense. Funding for indigent defense refers to paying for lawyers for those who cannot afford to retain their own criminal defense attorney. Sadly, in this state, our legislators have constantly fought against having to adequately fund this necessary program. As a result, our state's criminal justice system appears to be melting down.

For example, the Daily Report has recently profiled one murder case, currently pending in Fulton County, in which the defendant has sat and sat, in jail, without bond, waiting for trial, for five years! That's right: FIVE YEARS! And one of the primary reasons for this unconscionable delay is the fact that there are no funds to pay for lawyers to defend him!

In my opinion, delays like this are outrageous! As the old adage goes, "Justice delayed is justice denied!" Georgia citizens deserve better! Hopefully, in January, our General Assembly will step up to the plate and address this important funding issue! Let's stop the war and fix the problem!

"It's A Mad, Mad World:" The Case Against Judge Jack Camp

For the past several days, I have been away, while trying a federal criminal case. You can imagine my shock, upon my return, to learn about news reports of the arrest of Federal Judge Jack Camp, of Atlanta, for allegedly buying drugs from, and for being "up to no good with," an Atlanta stripper! Such things just don't ever really happen, do they!? Of course, the judge is presumed innocent, but it will be interesting to see what happens in this salacious matter!