Critics of prosecutor in ad go to state bar

[Nicholas_J]

Critics of prosecutor in ad go to state bar
Two agencies will check whether Alfred French's affidavit against Sen. John Kerry violates legal ethics
Thursday, August 26, 2004
STEPHEN BEAVEN


The Oregon State Bar has received several complaints about a Clackamas County prosecutor who said in a sworn affidavit that Sen. John Kerry lied about his Vietnam service, but then said he did not witness the events in question.

A spokeswoman said Wednesday that the bar has received 28 e-mails, calls and letters about Alfred French, a Clackamas County deputy district attorney. French appeared in a national television ad calling Kerry a liar, but later said he was relying on the word of wartime colleagues.

French, a decorated Vietnam veteran, appeared in an ad by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. The ad, parts of which have been disputed by military records and the accounts of other veterans, claims that Kerry lied about or exaggerated his actions in Vietnam.

French said Wednesday he did not commit any ethics violations. He also said Kerry's claims of military atrocities and a mutiny are false.

Some of the complaints to the Oregon State Bar accused French of violating legal ethics in signing the affidavit, in which he swore the facts were "within my personal knowledge or belief."

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1093521512261850.xml#continue

[Rebellious Republican]

1. Thanks for the post, that chapped my ass when I first read about it

Hope they nail his nads to the wall. But probably not, I am sure he has a nice consulting job lined up with KBR.

[Nicholas_J]

2. He has been suspended,

but not because of the lies about Kerry, but another lie:

Page Updated: Friday, August 27, 2004 12:45 PM PDT
Swift boat veteran placed on leave







OREGON CITY (AP) - A prosecutor who called John Kerry a liar in a political commercial has acknowledged that he lied about an extramarital affair with a secretary.

The Clackamas County district attorney's office placed Alfred French on a 30-day paid leave while it conducts an investigation, The Oregonian reported.

French, one of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, has faced scrutiny since the anti-Kerry ad became an issue in the presidential campaign.

French said in the ad and swore in an affidavit, "I served with John Kerry. ... He is lying about his record." French subsequently acknowledged he relied on the accounts of his friends and did not witness Kerry in combat.

Since then, he's faced pickets outside his office and complaints of unethical conduct to the state bar.

French's former boss, James O'Leary, said he asked French about the rumored affair about 10 years ago, but French denied it. O'Leary said he would have fired French if he'd admitted the relationship because it violated office policy.

French, 58, admitted to The Oregonian that he had the affair and denied it to O'Leary.

http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2004/08/27/news/news12.txt

[speedoo]

3. Repug Family Values, LOL.

What a sc**bag.

[Rebellious Republican]

4. Wow, this guy is a real POS thanks for the update!

This was an email I sent to the DA.

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am a Decorated Navy Veteran, 1978-1988 active duty. It occurs to me it has become popular sport to smear veterans that have distinguished themselves in times of valor.Who have also chosen to continue to serve our country as elected representatives of 'We the People". These tactics serve no one honorably, they only call into question the validity of the military awards system. It questions any vet who has ever earned an award, it makes people skeptical and places doubt in their minds. So when someone like me displays them, they have a subconscious reaction to ask me if they mean anything!

This tactic was used against the Honorable John McCain, a hero's hero, when he ran in the 2000 primaries. Stories surfaced about his loyalty while in Hanoi as a POW, that was an all time low in politics. Did anyone bother to talk about his history on board the USS Forestal, how he survived the biggest disaster on aboard an aircraft carrier in Naval History. He was then given the option to go home, but he chose to stay and serve. It was after that when he "intercepted a surface to air missile with his plane" and after surviving that was captured. As far as his time in Hanoi, very few people actually know what it is like in a Vietnamese POW camp and try to survive. No matter what happened in Hanoi, one thing is for sure, at least he chose to be there!

Now we see the trashing of John Kerry's honorable service in Vietnam, again, one thing is for sure, he was in Vietnam, and there by choice!

You can add Senator Max Cleland to that smear list, guess what, at least he was there. He was not flying the friendly sky's of Texas or hiding behind some deferment, if he had been, then he would probably still have all of his limbs!

I see a reoccurring theme in all of this, maybe the US Congress needs to review their awards criteria, certainly decorations must be handed out like candy. I will keep that in mind when I look at my Naval Expeditionary Forces medal (Beirut "83") or my National Defense medal, Sea Service deployment ribbon, Naval Enlisted Aircrewman Wings or any of the other four worthless pieces junk that they gave me.

Alfred French should be ashamed for allowing himself to be used in this disgusting tactic. This no way for a public official to act and should be asked to tender his resignation. Not simply because he opined that Kerry does not deserve these awards, but mainly because he lied about his knowledge. He either lied to the Newspaper while making a public statement or he lied in the LEGAL affidavit that he signed. This calls into question his reliability and moral character when making life altering decisions in his position as Asst. DA.

I am one Vet who stands behind all Vets that have received military awards, regardless of political party affiliations, that includes George Herbert Walker Bush for honorable service in WWII. This type of slander needs to stop, regardless of who is being attacked, if it takes people losing their jobs to get someone's attention, then so be it.

[Nicholas_J]

5. No Problemo

(unfortuantely quoting the Governator in his most poignant role)