Former lobbyist Michael Scanlon's cooperation with U.S. Justice Department lawyers in a conspiracy investigation may help them clear a constitutional hurdle that protects lawmakers from prosecution over official acts.
Scanlon's guilty plea yesterday gives prosecutors a witness who may be able to provide evidence that lawmakers worked to pass legislation in exchange for favors, said Jim Cole, a former attorney with the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section. The Justice unit is spearheading the federal probe of Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his former associate, Scanlon.
Scanlon's testimony may allow the government to overcome a defense based on the "speech and debate" clause of the Constitution, which protects lawmakers from being prosecuted for legislation they introduce or speeches they make in Congress, Cole and other experts said. Scanlon may be able to testify about deals between lawmakers and lobbyists; such quid pro quos wouldn't be protected by the Constitution.
"The speech and debate clause only prevents you from using a legislative act" as evidence, Cole said. "The agreement is the crime."
Scanlon, who doesn't want to spend anymore time in jail than he has to (if any, by the time he's done) is going to rat out the lot of them. It's gonna be race to see who starts "coming clean" first for "protection" amongst the CongressCriminals who have to be filling up their underwear at the speed of heat.
Scanlon is a veteran of the Delay and Abramoff shakedown regimes...he knows where the bodies are buried and after seeing his heroes indicted for all kinds of shit and finding himself in the crosshairs next, went for the deal. Smart lad. It'a gonna be interesting to see how many of the republicans who have been such vocal "advocates" for "better gubmint" are dragged off to the hoosegow with Scanlons assistance.
2006 can't get here fast enough, can it?
posted by Jo Fish on 11.23.05 at 02:54 AM
Comments:
"Scanlon is a veteran of the Delay and Abramoff shakedown regimes"
A young, soft veteran who went from paying off student loans to taking down millions in fees in what has to be record time. A look at his photo radiates softness. During Watergate G. Gordon Liddy held his hand over a candle until it burned to show how tough he was. I despise Liddy politically but if you have to be in a criminal conspiracy he would be the co-conspirator you would trust not to crack. I don't care how soft the jail time can be in Club Fed prisons like Allenwood 'Low' may be
http://www.bop.gov/locations/institutions/alf/index.jsp
I just don't see Scanlon, or Abramoff for that matter, just taking the rap for their paymasters. These guys have little attraction to one piece jumpsuits and meals on a tray, that is clear as day.
posted by: Bruce Webb on 11.23.05 at 05:45 AM [permalink]
Scanlon wasn't just a "veteran", Scanlon was Abramoff's partner and equal. He doesn't just know where the boddies are buried, he was in on the execution and burial. This would be more like if Gotti testified against his crew and not just Sam Gravano. This one is going to get even hotter in the days to come.
posted by: DBK on 11.23.05 at 12:44 PM [permalink]
As a former prosecutor, I sit back and smile. This is, indeed, the sure sign that a criminal investigation is going very well.
maybe this can be a real Thanksgiving for those of us who have hung in there believing that eventually this right wing cabal's hubris would cause it to self-destruct.
Maybe (I know better than to get my hopes up too soon)
posted by: SOB on 11.24.05 at 10:36 AM [permalink]
