McCoy (D) indicted on extortion charge (Bush US Attorney)

[Joanne98]

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/NEWS05/703140380/1001/gal_email
McCoy indicted on extortion charge
D.M. Democrat says, 'The truth is I have done nothing wrong'

By JEFF ECKHOFF
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Copyright 2007, Des Moines Register and Tribune Company


March 14, 2007

State Sen. Matt McCoy was indicted today on a federal charge that involves the alleged extortion of a former business partner who purportedly balked at paying McCoy for consulting work.

The Democrat, who has represented part of Des Moines' south and west sides since 1996, said he has done nothing illegal.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker has called a press conference for 2 p.m. at the federal building to discuss the indictment, which alleges that he violated the Hobbs Act, a federal antiracketeering law that frequently is used in cases involving public corruption.


"It looks like I'm going to have to march through hell here," the senator said Tuesday.

"It's been a long year, and it's going to get longer. ... But at least I know that I'm armed with the truth, and the truth is I have done nothing wrong."

According to McCoy, the heart of the case against him centers on alleged threats contained in a Dec. 6, 2005, tape-recorded conversation between him and Tom Vasquez, a former business partner in a venture to market security systems for monitoring elderly people.
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070314/NEWS05/703140380/1001/gal_email




:mad:

[no_hypocrisy]

1. As tiresome as the saying is, here it is again: A prosecutor can indict

a ham sandwich. The lawyering really counts upon conviction. One reasonable doubt. One.

[DU9598]

2. FOIA

I sure hope the DSM Register or others submit a Freedom of Information Act request for all correspondence between the US Attorney's office and the Justice Department (Gonzalez) and the White House (Karl Rove) regarding this case. Perhaps include Sen. Grassley in the request as at one point there was talk to Matt McCoy challenging Grassley.

[Joanne98]

3. Federal Prosecutor Emcees Christian Event

Federal Prosecutor Emcees Christian Event
By The Associated Press
Wed, Feb. 28 2007 02:30 PM ET

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A federal prosecutor was serving as master of ceremonies Tuesday night for a Christian organization that sparked controversy last fall when it asked Iowa judges to fill out a survey listing their views on hot issues.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Whitaker's decision to take part in the Iowa Christian Alliance's event prompted criticism from a Washington, D.C., lobbying group, Americans United for Separation of Church and State. A spokesman said anyone involved in the federal judicial system should attempt to remain as impartial as possible.

"Appearing at an event like this certainly raises legitimate questions," said Rob Boston. "It's important that our federal prosecutors present the image of impartiality and that they not be captive to the extreme agenda of special interest groups."

An agenda for the Iowa Christian Alliance's event Tuesday night listed Whitaker as the master of ceremonies. The two-hour event was at the Point of Grace Church in Waukee, with Laurence White, an abortion opponent and pastor of a Houston church, as the featured speaker.

The program described Whitaker as the winner of three sports letters at the University of Iowa and as a former candidate for state office. It does not mention his current job as the U.S. attorney in Des Moines.

Whitaker said Tuesday he asked the organization to leave out references to his job. He said his involvement in the event was approved by U.S. Justice Department officials.

Whitaker said he is a conservative Christian and is active in his church. He said he knows many of the Christian alliance's members.

"This organization is not affiliated with any political party," Whitaker said. "It's not a Democrat or Republican issue. They have beliefs that they stand for."

His personal beliefs do not determine how he does his job as a federal prosecutor, Whitaker said.

"How I do my job is I enforce the law, and the law is very clear about what is a crime and what is not," he said.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070228/26066_U.S._Prosecutor_Emcees_Christian_Event.htm

I guess we just located one of the corrupted US District Attorney's. That didn't take long. He's giving a press conference in about an hour.

[MADem]

4. He's lucky as to the timing, anyway. It doesn't matter if a Democratic indictee is caught

with a dead body in the trunk, the US ATTY scandal pervades. As it should.

[AlCzervik]

5. wow what timing.

[Joanne98]

6. Really. I wonder if there is more of this coming...

[AlCzervik]

8. most likely and all the indictee's will have (D) next to their names.

[Cha]

7. Good Luck, Senator McCoy..

What with gonza under siege maybe the truth will help you, immeasurably!

[grasswire]

9. I'm wondering about that earlier attack on Harry Reid...

...and also the Dem Congressman who says he is innocent of corruption -- the one who had cash in his freezer.

[napi21]

10. I looked up the Hobbs Act, and it sure doesn't sound like an easy

charge to prove. When I read lines in a lawlike "Must prove intent" that means the bar is set very high.

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/crm02403.htm

[Joanne98]

11. KICK