Arza guilty, gets probation (Republican)

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Fri, May. 25, 2007
Arza guilty, gets probation
Former state Rep. Ralph Arza was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty, but he said he never threatened anyone.
BY SUSANNAH A. NESMITH
[e-mail]

Former state Rep. Ralph Arza pleaded guilty Thursday to two misdemeanor counts of tampering with a witness and was sentenced to 18 months of probation.
(snip)

Arza said he regretted the basis of the charges, expletive-laced messages he left on the voicemail of fellow state Rep. Gus Barreiro of Miami Beach.

''Did I make a harassing phone call? You know what, I did,'' Arza contritely told the media after the hearing.

The calls were made on Oct. 21 and 22, just days after Barreiro accused Arza of using a racial epithet to describe Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Rudy Crew, who is black.
(snip)

Arza's cousin, Paulino Barbon, also pleaded guilty to witness tampering and was sentenced to two years of probation and one weekend in jail. Barbon also made calls to Barreiro and in one threatened to ``crack your head open.''



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/460/story/117990.html

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http://cache.wonkette.com.nyud.net:8090/images/thumbs/811e8df0b3bb73b5c516bc07df0fb488.jpg

Republican Rep. Ralph Arza and his friend.

[MADem]

1. Aww, gee, racial slurs and threats...and at the end of the day, NO RECORD!!!!

Buy your way out of trouble, take an "Aww, I didn't MEAN it" class, pick up some trash, go to drunk school, and you're on your way! It's the BushCo method, apparently:

`SERIOUS CONCERNS'

''The series of phone calls made to Rep. Barreiro were intended to raise serious concerns -- and they did -- forcing him to relocate his family for safety sake,'' she said in a prepared statement.

As part of the plea, Arza agreed to be evaluated for alcoholism and to seek treatment if the evaluation determines that's warranted. Witnesses told investigators that on the night of the calls, he had been drinking while out to dinner and at a party at his mother's house.

Senior Judge David Tobin agreed to withold adjudication, meaning Arza won't have a conviction on his record if he complies with the requirements of his probation.

Among those conditions: he must pay $1,500 in investigative costs and attend anger management classes. He also must perform 100 hours of community service.

[Joe Chi Minh]

2. Sounds like he was being even more kind that Gonzales was to Goodling.

So much kindness going around in that administration, offers the addressees are not supposed to refuse, while it's floating on a sea of crimes. What an ingrate that Barrero must be! Greater kindness hath no man than that he make such offers. YOU WILL ACCEPT MY KINDNESS!

Nobody's telling tales, they love each other so much.