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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBobby Harrell, the SC House Speaker, has resigned, pled guilty, and become a government informant.
COLUMBIA, SC Bobby Harrell, the ex-speaker of the S.C. House who pleaded guilty Thursday to state charges of misusing campaign money and agreed to resign his office, is now locked into an ironclad plea deal that requires him to tell federal and state authorities about illegal activities of others, including lawmakers.
The five-page plea deal allows Harrell, one of South Carolinas most powerful politicians, to avoid prison, but it puts him on probation and levies $130,000 in fines and penalties.
But Harrell has promised to help the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI and must take lie detector tests to ensure hes telling the truth under the risk of going behind bars.
Such cooperation agreements are rarely used in state courts, but are more common in federal court, where law enforcement authorities often use a negotiated guilty plea to see if they can get information about other peoples criminal activities.
Ive only done a handful of these in state court, said 1st Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe, a 20-year prosecutor assigned to the Harrell case.
<snip>
Much more: http://www.thestate.com/2014/10/23/3763350/from-powerful-official-to-government.html
He may clear out the statehouse and more. There are a lot of nervous people right now. Once more people start rolling to avoid jail time, down she goes.
Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)Brigid
(17,621 posts)I used to have this on a 45! *Waxes nostalgic*
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Sesame Street, to be precise..
Composer Joe Raposo
unsung artist with a heart
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Raposo
Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH (February 8, 1937 February 5, 1989) was a Portuguese American composer, songwriter, pianist, television writer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series Sesame Street, for which he wrote the theme song, as well as classic songs such as "Bein' Green" and "C is for Cookie". He also wrote music for television shows such as The Electric Company, Shining Time Station and the sitcoms Three's Company and The Ropers, including their theme songs. In addition to these works, Raposo also composed extensively for the DePatie-Freleng Enterprises such as Halloween Is Grinch Night, Pontoffel Pock, Where Are You? and The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat.
ReRe
(10,597 posts)... another scandal. This is going to be interesting. Hopefully it won't take as long as the Chris Christie scandal to come to a head.
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)I'd like to see the Heritage Foundation, Americans for prosperity, and the Koch's answering a shit load of questions under oath.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)Last edited Sat Oct 25, 2014, 11:12 AM - Edit history (1)
Some state officials will be first. After that, it will depend on the connections and who has what evidence. I am not ruling anybody out Dems included. They are a tangled nest of vipers.
As far as Kochs and higher groups, I have no idea. I don't rule it out, but there will have to be some ironclad evidence and a big name rolling over. I can't see people going to jail for some of the small fish. However, when it comes to the big ones, some may be willing to sit there with the pressure that can be brought by those more important individuals.
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)I suspect there were very good reasons (lavish junket attending) Judge Randa ordered evidence destroyed. There are the rumors Walker was preparing to flip when a strongly worded threat was published in the WSJ. This is from May 30th.
This clip is one of my current favorite things.
leftyladyfrommo
(18,868 posts)They assume that they are way above the law.
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)They know Harrell.
riqster
(13,986 posts)That might be a weak point. Stay tuned.
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)However, as part of a plea deal, one party of which is an experienced Federal prosecutor..........
riqster
(13,986 posts)I get wired up every few years for work, and there's lots of "interpretation" going on. Hopefully that won't come back to bite the good guys. For now, this is a very hopeful development.
malaise
(268,980 posts)ReTHUG before or after his name
Are_grits_groceries
(17,111 posts)jwirr
(39,215 posts)session.
malthaussen
(17,193 posts)Although I wish the plea had included a little jail time, just for the fun of it. Maybe he'll goof and admit to something not covered by immunity.
-- Mal
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Will be glued to the story....