by D. Cupples | If well-connected political operatives could use the U.S. Justice Department against a well-connected former governor, what's to stop them from going after ordinary citizens who politically oppose them?
MSNBC's Dan Abrams interviewed Dana Jill Simpson, the whistle blower who testified before the House Judiciary Committee (see transcript) about the highly questionable prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. CBS's 60 Minutes also ran a story this past Sunday (video after continue-reading link).
Simpson said that Karl Rove led the effort to bring down Siegelman. Rove seems to deny that he has ever met Simpson. The chair of the Alabama Republican Party has reportedly denied Simpson's past involvement with the party. Incidentally, the 60 Minutes story was "mysteriously" blacked out in parts of Alabama.
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CBS 60 Minutes story on Don Siegelman:
Last year, 52 ex-State Attorneys General (including Republicans) asked Congress to investigate the Siegelman prosecution.
Let's hope that Congress makes quick progress, as Gov. Siegelman is in prison on a seven-year sentence. He has been in custody since June.
Unlike other white-collar-crime convicts (e.g., WorldCom's Bernie Ebbers and Enron's Jeff Skilling), Siegelman was not allowed to remain free between sentencing and his prison-reporting date -- Siegelman wasn't even allowed to hug his wife before court officials handcuffed him and took him away (Associated Press).
It couldn't hurt to email the chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees (and your congressional representatives) and let them know that you support their investigative efforts.
John Conyers, House Jud: [email protected]
Patrick Leahy, Senate Jud: [email protected]
Find your House Member's email here.
Find your Senator's email here
BradBlog has a cute video clip of Brad trying to get Karl Rove to hold up a "Free Don Siegelman" banner. (BradBlog via Memeorandum).
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