Cheney, Gonzales indicted in South Texas county

[Phred42]

Yes - it's true!


Cheney, Gonzales indicted in South Texas county

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h9PvQtj8plxTnRZS7hHmJap_Rt2AD94HN9L00


McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales have been indicted on state charges involving federal prisons in a South Texas county that has been a source of bizarre legal and political battles under the outgoing prosecutor.

The indictment returned Monday has not yet been signed by the presiding judge, and no action can be taken until that happens.

The seven indictments made public in Willacy County on Tuesday included one naming state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr. and some targeting public officials connected to District Attorney Juan Angel Guerra's own legal battles.

Regarding the indictments targeting the public officials, Guerra said, "the grand jury is the one that made those decisions, not me."

Guerra himself was under indictment for more than a year and half until a judge dismissed the indictments last month. Guerra's tenure ends this year after nearly two decades in office. He lost convincingly in a Democratic primary in March.

Guerra said the prison-related charges against Cheney and Gonzales are a national issue and experts from across the country testified to the grand jury.

Cheney is charged with engaging in an organized criminal activity related to the vice president's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds financial interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees because of his link to the prison companies.

[Xipe Totec]

1. State charges, not federal

No Bush pardon possible here.

[cobalt1999]

7. If they are state charges, wouldn't the crime have to be committed within the state boundaries?

I'm no lawyer, just asking.

[Xipe Totec]

8. These are allegations of corruption in Texas prisions

investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds financial interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees because of his link to the prison companies.

These are state crimes.

[Phred42]

2. It's a start

Of course they will be pardoned - but that's not thepoint either

[Independent_Liberal]

5. Read the post above you.

It's state charges, not federal ones. Therefore Bush can't pardon.

[Ilsa]

3. Good. Open it all up. Time for everyone to see what cockroaches

like Cheney have been up to in the dark.

[Phred42]

4. AAR called Bugliosi to talk with him about it and he hadn't heard

[keepCAblue]

6. Okay, I give up. Why is this not getting recs up the whazoo? ...

We've been waiting to see Cheney in chains for 8 years. This should be at the TOP of the GREATEST page...

[helderheid]

10. I agree - I expect at least a 5th rec shortly

[helderheid]

9. 4th rec - what does it mean?!?

[Subdivisions]

11. Off to the Greatest with ye. I'll take whatever I can get, especially

if it leads to more charges elswhere.

[helderheid]

12. Yes!

[MissMarple]

13. Let's just hope it sticks.

[helderheid]

14. k

[Greyhound]

15. Here's hoping. K&R

[EFerrari]

16. I was sure this was satire and didn't bother to look yesterday.

:wow: