This has got to stop.

waterinthefuel

Commander
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
2,728
I'm tired of Louisiana being the laughing stock of the country. Our politicians are crooks, they are either in prison or are awaiting trial. Here is yet another example:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277774,00.html

WASHINGTON ? A federal grand jury on Monday indicted Louisiana Democratic Rep. William Jefferson on 16 charges relating to a long-running investigation into bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering.

Calling it a "broad range of serious crimes," federal prosecutors called the case one about "greed, power and arrogance."

"The 16-count indictment alleges a pervasive pattern of self dealings, bribery and corruption by Mr. Jefferson, in violation of his oath of office, of his duty to the United States Congress in which he served, and of the duty to the citizens of the United States," said Chuck Rosenberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The officials said the investigation spanned from the United States to Africa and alleged it involved a number of occasions of criminal conduct by Jefferson, including bribing businessmen in a congressional building and promising a businessman that he would bribe a Nigerian official.

The chief prosecutor of the Justice Department's criminal division, Alice Fisher, said the case shows that the department is strongly pursuing corruption.

"Today's charges demonstrate that the Department of Justice will continue to enforce the public corruption laws that are designed to ensure the integrity of our government. The department will continue to hold accountable those public officials who will use their office and commit illegal acts such as the bribery schemes outlined in today's indictment," Fisher said.
 

SpinnerBait_Nut

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 25, 2002
Messages
17,651
Re: This has got to stop.

Wasn't Pres. Clinton's real name William Jefferson Clinton?
How ironic.:D:D
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,581
Re: This has got to stop.

And is there a wonder there is no real attempt to rebuild New Orleans!
 

Plainsman

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 2, 2006
Messages
4,062
Re: This has got to stop.

Hmmm....and lil nancy won't remove him from the homeland security committee. But if he was a Republican, let's say Tom Delay, it would be headlines in all the papers and the MSM for months, the dems would be screaming for his removal. Hypocrite come to mind.
 

jinx

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 25, 2003
Messages
739
Re: This has got to stop.

Retired Congressman Billy Tauzin once issued this description of his home state: "Half of Louisiana is under water and the other half is under indictment."

You're right Waterinthefuel. It's not my intention to dump on your state here, because corruption exists everywhere. All I know is what I read in the papers....I wish you all well in getting rid of the crooks.

adapted from USA Today and US News and World Report:

The most notorious was the "Kingfish," populist Democratic Gov. Huey Long, who lorded over the state from 1927 until his death in 1935. Long delivered on his campaign promises of free textbooks for children, paved roads, and new schools--almost all of it financed by taxes on the rich and on oil companies. But Long also created a secret police force and consolidated state employees under his control, typically taking a portion of their earnings as "contributions" to his war chest. At an LSU faculty dinner, Long bragged, "I steal money. But a lot of what I stole has spilled over in no-toll bridges, hospitals, and to build this university." After being elected to the U.S. Senate and ensuring the election of a stooge to succeed him in the governor's office, Long prepared for a presidential run against an incumbent, fellow Democrat Franklin Roosevelt, who called Long one of the most dangerous men in America. On Sept. 8, 1935, Carl Weiss, the son-in-law of a political opponent, shot Long to death in the state capitol.

In 1939, the "Louisiana Scandals" erupted when James Monroe Smith, appointed by Long as president of LSU, was charged with embezzling a half-million dollars. In the ensuing investigation, at least 20 state officials were indicted, and two committed suicide as the scandal enveloped Gov. Richard Leche, who received a 10-year federal prison sentence in a kickback scheme.

The legacy of free-spirited scoundrels was inherited by Gov. Edwin Edwards, a populist charmer who served four terms over the period of 1972 to 1996. The dapper womanizer beat two dozen corruption investigations and once said the only way he could lose a race was by being "found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy." Edwards produced campaign bumper stickers proclaiming, "Elect the Crook." Voters did. In 2000, the good times stopped rolling; Edwards received a 10-year federal prison sentence for extorting money from casino boat owners seeking licenses.

Under subsequent Govs. Mike Foster and Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, Louisiana has tried to clean up its act. But since 2004, two state judges have been convicted of accepting bribes. Federal officials are also investigating the administration of former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, whose associates are accused of skimming hundreds of thousands of dollars from city contracts.

The point: For a small state, Louisiana produces a lot of crooked politicians.

Louisiana's historically cavalier attitude about corruption also sets it apart, says Fred Smith, president of the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C.

In most jurisdictions, public scandals are considered highly embarrassing events, but in Louisiana, he says, they're practically a point of pride.

"Corruption exists in every culture," says Smith. "But in Louisiana it is accepted to a level that is unbelievable."



Jinx
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: This has got to stop.

A legacy of The Kingfish and his . . . um. . .eccentric brother?
 

QC

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Messages
22,783
Re: This has got to stop.

It's not all bad WITF . . . Didn't you guys invent the beads for boobies deal? That's gone over big at Lake Havasu too . . . Thanks. :p :p :eek: :rolleyes:
 

snapperbait

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
5,754
Re: This has got to stop.

Florida is just as bad........If not worse..
 

Vlad D Impeller

Commander
Joined
Mar 30, 2005
Messages
2,644
Re: This has got to stop.

There are crooked politicians in every state in the union, Louisiana's politicians just seem to have a more carefree attitude in the way they go about their bribery, racketeering, obstruction of justice and money laundering.
In the few years that i've been a member on this forum, not one good thing has ever been stated about lawyers, almost all of our politicians are lawyers.
They're licensed crooks. :(
 

waterinthefuel

Commander
Joined
Nov 15, 2003
Messages
2,728
Re: This has got to stop.

He faces up to 235 years in prison if convicted on all charges. Edwin Edwards and his son are both in prison, soon to be released.

Hopefully one day it will all end. Louisiana will be a good state, not just a state with good food and music, but a state people will not laugh at.
 

kenimpzoom

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2002
Messages
4,807
Re: This has got to stop.

Those crooks really messed up this year, they allowed a surplus in the state treasury. They should have skimmed more.

PS - Dont speed in golden meadow!
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: This has got to stop.

Does not matter where you are. Those who have the power will abuse it for their own greed. Just seems that some places more than others but it IS everywhere.
 
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