TENNESSEE STATE SENATOR CHARGED WITH THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS

According to various news reports, earlier this week, Tennessee State Senator Katrina Robinson was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly embezzling $600,000 in federal funds from a healthcare institute she operated.  According to a criminal complaint filed by a Memphis U.S. Attorney, Ms. Robinson improperly spent federal funds on numerous personal things, including a wedding, a divorce, and a vacation.

As a former federal prosecutor in Augusta, Georgia, I once handled many prosecutions like this one involving embezzlement of government funds.  One oddity I would note about this case is that, generally, when I prosecuted, I didn't first obtain a complaint and then indict.  I simply obtained an indictment.  In this case, it appears the prosecutor filed a complaint first, and then obtained an indictment.  Was this done in order to get juicy details about the facts of the case out into the public arena?  Maybe not.

Of course, every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

FORMER ABSCAM DEFENDANT FACES NEW CHARGES

[Photo from wikipedia]

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Michael Myers was charged this week with conspiring to violate election laws by allegedly bribing an election official to "stuff" the ballot box for candidates who had hired Myers to assist in their campaigns.

As a former federal prosecutor, I once prosecuted the largest vote buying case in American history.

Myers was previously convicted of bribery in 1981 in connection with the infamous Abscam scandal.  During that investigation, Myers was videotaped while accepting a bribe from an undercover agent.  At that time, Myers reportedly had said, on tape, "money talks in this business and bullshit walks."

Of course, Myers is presumed to be innocent, unless and until proven guilty in court.

OHIO STATE HOUSE SPEAKER ARRESTED

  The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio announced today that Larry Householder, the Speaker of the Ohio State House of Representatives, has been charged along with four others with helping to pass a nuclear bailout bill in exchange for nearly $61 million in bribes.  The bill added a surcharge for energy consumers to help raise $150 to bail out two unprofitable nuclear plants.  This is reportedly the largest bribery case in Ohio history.

As a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of Georgia, I once prosecuted Georgia's former Senate Majority leader in a fraud and public corruption case.  So, I know how tough such complex criminal cases can be!

Of course, all defendants are entitled to a presumption of innocence unless and until convicted beyond a reasonable doubt.