Judge unseals indictment against Bernie Ward

[Newsjock]

Source: KGO-TV

A federal judge in San Francisco has unsealed the indictment against KGO Radio talk show host, Bernie Ward, on child pornography charges.

The I-Team has learned the case against Bernie Ward began with a complaint to police in the Central Valley town of Oakdale. They quickly sent it to the FBI. Several people who are close to Bernie Ward tell the I-Team he and his family are stunned by these charges. However, there is some positive news for ward in this federal indictment.

... The indictment lists a narrow window of time in which Ward accessed and traded child porn -- December 23rd, 2004 and January 1st through the 13th, 2005.

Dean Johnson says that's good news for Ward.

"The timeframe in my mind really gives credence to what Mr. Ward said about this being an isolated incident, that it wasn't motivated by any desire to possess child pornography or exploit children, but rather that he was researching a book or whatever he claimed," says Johnson.

Read more: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/iteam&id=5821709

[hunter]

1. John Ashcroft appointee vs. Bernie Ward

Who'd have guessed?

[bluestateguy]

2. This case is very upsetting to me

I have listened to his show on and off for 15 years. I have called in half a dozen times. The thought that he would be involved in such a dark underworld upsets me.

If he was doing research, I'd like to know why it was necessary for him to look at these disgusting websites AND trade the images with other adults. He couldn't write the book chapter without looking at these sicko websites?

In any event, I'm going to keep an open mind, and hear all of the evidence. There also may be an honest explanation for this that does not warrant a criminal conviction.

[mitchtv]

3. I find this hard to believe

Bernie is the greatest. I am hoping there is an innocent reason. I think it is easy to end up with that crap on your screen.

[hunter]

6. Looks like the Bush Justice Department freaks were throwing crap and Bernie got hit.

It seems Bernie Ward was very naive in his investigation.

There are cesspools in the internet everyone should stay away from. If you fancy yourself an investigative reporter you want to interview somebody who already got caught, you don't want to hang out in places where the crimes are being committed. (Unless of course you are working for the Justice Department. What a cherry job for a deeply closeted pedophile that would be...)

I imagine these places where child porn is traded are sort of like gangs. You have do the crime before they let you in.

[EFerrari]

19. I remember someone like that getting busted for having child porn

on his government issue machine at work and he was in, iirc, a unit like that or at least, similar, in DC about two years ago.

[baldguy]

4. And thats precisly why the RW levels charges like this.

They tried to do it to Scott Ritter too.

[stillcool]

5. If you were doing research...

on internet porn, where would you go? Would you rely on say-so? The only thing that leads me to conclude that he is automatically guilty is that he was a Catholic priest. Otherwise, it's an unknown unknown.

[mitchtv]

7. that was very long ago, Franciscans

He has since married , and raised a family, now grown. It has to be bullshit.

[hunter]

8. Is that sarcasm?

I've been wondering when the Catholic bashing would start...

:shrug:

[EFerrari]

20. This feels like payback to me. Keep the faith. Maybe it's just

a bad charge.

[BearSquirrel2]

9. Criminality not intent

I don't think there is a loophole for intent. If he forwarded child pornography to others, he's guilty. The faster everyone distances himself from him ... the better.

If he was truly doing research, he could have sent some phonies, then refunded the people who bought from him.

[Liberals Rule]

10. Still Innocent Until proven Guilty!

I hope his lawyers are good ones. But even if he is proven innocent, the damage is done. I believe his talk show career is over.I don't care what happens. The positive impact Bernie has have to society can't be forgotten.Bernie is one of the most intelligent talk show hosts I have ever listened to and losing his imput will be the hardest things i have ever had to endure. Because he is so intellegent one has to wonder how he allowed himself to get in this situation. But noone can debate him on politics.

[clixtox]

11. If I was defending myself from the feds...

Doran Weinberg would be my first choice to defend me in court. He is one of the most successful criminal defense attorneys in Federal courts in the country. Bernie Ward is in the best possible "hands" under the circumstances.

I guarantee an acquittal although the chances of such a picayune case making it past the preliminary pre-trial motions and discovery phases are very small. Federal courts are not often used to try such minor (in the grand scheme of criminality) crimes.

Welcome everyone to the new fascist dominated Department of Justice. Maybe you can be the next victim, speak up and get in line.

FEAR, FEAR, FEAR, FEAR, FEAR, FEAR and more FEAR.

Best to shut-up and don't speak truth to power, or YOU will be next...

[BearSquirrel2]

12. They practically admitted it ...

The "excuse" admits to the crime. He was doing "research" into the child porn biz.

It doesn't MATTER what his motive was. He did it. Now he's toast.

[Retrograde]

13. Complaint from Central Valley, huh?

California's Central Valley is politically as far from San Francisco as you can get. It always amazes me, coming over Pacheco Pass from the Valley into the Bay Area, how local radio stations seem to do a 180 politically. Just pointing that out - I have no knowledge of the case.

[Liberals Rule]

14. Could the informant be Dr Wattenburg?

He and Bernie have been sparing for months! Bernie called him out for being a chickenhawk because Wattenburg has never served in the military while backing Bush on the war no matter what. Wattenburg has threatened Bernie on the air that he was going to "get him" with something. Where does the man live? Wattenburg I mean?

[BrotherBuzz]

15. The idiot Wattenburg lives in the northern Sierra

He was never in the military because he had too good a scam as a civilian scientist working on the designer nukes. His civilian position (or rank?) was like a G-35, or equivalent to a brigadier general, or some nonsense.

Bernie has been collecting enemies since grammar school.

[Countdown_3_2_1]

16. 2005. That give two years to write a book...

surely he can produce a manuscript to prove his innocence?

[robcon]

17. I don't think so.

He doesn't have to prove his innocence, just put enough doubt that he traded the kiddie porn images.

Whether he was researching a book or not, the guilt (or innocence) is the same. It might affect his sentence, though, if he is found guilty.

[hayu_lol]

18. The right wing, both the political side and the wacko religious side, in CA...

really hates both Bernie Ward and Ray Taliaferro. This is probably where the complaint came from originally.

They call the shows all the time and both Bernie and Ray prove them wrong. Lots of nastys out there--freerepublic hdqtrs is in Fresno.

KGO's sister station is KSFO. Thats where Mike Savage went when he was fired at KGO. KSFO is San Francisco's hate radio station.

Unless I am mistaken, child porn became a cause celebre about 4 years ago. That would have been when Bernie claims he started the research. Perhaps, in his defense, the existing radio logs will be filed at the station and can be used in his defense.

Wacko christians also hate Bernie. His biblical knowledge is the stuff of legends. He perpetually beats them down with a club of superior knowledge of the bible. He knows it better than most prot pastors.

Will just have to wait this out until some real facts surface.

At the moment, Bernie being off the air is terrible.

[CountAllVotes]

21. If they go back and look at the timetable on this

they'll see what Bernie was doing around this time. I happen to remember it very well. Much of this relates more to Godtalk, the Catholic Church (specifically the San Francisco and Santa Rosa Archdioceses), and the pope (who Bernie says is out on a "fag hunt") rather than the political stuff IMO. I smell a very huge rat among this whole thing.

I was listening to the Wednesday archives in KGO and they said he was not there Wednesday night. I noted that they said he was "sick" and then I noted that the woman working the news for the show now (Jeanie Lynch is her name) said that "and he won't be back", or something to that extent. I'm certain that archive is still there if you check the KGO 7-day archive you'll find it on the 10:00 hour on Wednesday night.

I hope Bernie Ward finds another place to work or something better to do as he deserves far more in life than this garbage. He has done a lot of good for many people out there. His Thanksgiving charity raised 1/2 million $ for KGO last year. The figures aren't in for this year. I cannot help but wonder if KGO will give him due credit for this effort because believe me, without Bernie Ward, there will be no more Thanksgiving charities bringing in 1/2 million $ ever again for KGO.

As for Bernie Ward being a child pornographer/pedophile, I seriously doubt this accusation given he is a married man with four children; a former high school teacher. Yes, he was once a Franciscan priest, but he left the priesthood with good reason. I believe this whole thing is contrived and one big SET-UP.

I am glad he has a damn good lawyer because he needs it!! :mad:

:kick: