Thursday, May 20, 2010

Security Breach at Federal Building is Extremely Serious Misdemeanor?


The Associated Press reported a Federal Judge gave four boys a scolding for attempting to spy on a U.S. Senator. The article stated:

U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. said Wednesday he isn’t exercising his right to hear the case even though the four defendants are charged with an “extremely serious” crime involving a security breach at a federal building.

“Deception is alleged to have been used by the defendants to achieve their purposes which in and of itself is unconscionable,” Duval wrote. “Perceived righteousness of a cause does not justify nefarious and potentially dangerous actions.”

James O’Keefe, Stan Dai, Joseph Basel and Robert Flanagan are scheduled to appear before Magistrate Daniel Knowles III on May 26 for arraignments on misdemeanor charges of entering a federal building under false pretenses. Duval said he has reviewed their plea agreements.

Misdemeanor charges? How could that happen in security fanatical America? It's the "just us" system for the politically connected:

O’Keefe is a videographer famous for wearing a pimp costume in a video that embarrassed the ACORN community organizing group.

According to several media outlets, Robert Flanagan is "the son of William Flanagan, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana."
Imagine the charges if a real pimp tried to bug a Senator's phone. It'd be more than "double secret probation."

Update: James O'Keefe was sentenced to three years probation, 100 hours of community service and a $1,500 fine. The others received two years probation, 75 hours of community service and $1,500 fines.

No comments: