Grand Jury Issues Subpoenas in Ensign Probe

Looks like that other shoe showed up.

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) "is in the crosshairs of a Department of Justice criminal investigation," KLAS-TV reports.

"The criminal probe stems from a romantic affair Ensign had with the wife of his key staffer and close friend, Doug Hampton, and what Ensign has done to help Hampton financially."

"Subpoenas have been issued to at least six Las Vegas businesses. The Justice Department came to Las Vegas to interview several prominent business and political figures in what appears to be a wide-ranging and deadly-serious criminal probe."

John Edwards to be Indicted?

By GottaLaff

So far, the National Enquirer has been on target with this story:

The ultimate fall from grace, a Federal grand jury is about to indict John Edwards, The ENQUIRER has learned exclusively.

In another shocker, close sources say Edwards' estranged wife Elizabeth could help send the former presidential candidate to jail!

I am so relieved he was not our candidate in 2008. His utter disregard for his family, the voters, his staff ... his country!... is stunning.

H/t: Taegan

"Everything I do, I just assume it will be used against me."

By GottaLaff

All my previous posts about Sheriff Lunatic here.

You should really go read the whole thing. Here are some excruciating excerpts:

As conflicts between Maricopa County's Board of Supervisors and the sheriff and county attorney escalated in 2009, rank-and-file county employees were plunged into a yearlong emotional roller coaster. [...]

The grand jury is looking into allegations of abuse of power by Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his chief deputy, David Hendershott, in their dealings with judges and county officials.

Now, as they wait to see what will happen, a cross-section of county employees spoke with The Arizona Republic [...] [R]unaway fears were such that they worried that Arpaio's deputies would come after them as well.

And how fearful were they?

Unsure what or whom to believe, many county workers quit talking about sensitive matters on the telephone or in e-mails, even when using their personal home computers.

Conversation in hallways and elevators stopped.

Some feared they would be arrested while pulling into the same parking garage where deputies took Supervisor Don Stapley into custody.

Others worried that even minor infractions - a chipped windshield, having a beer before driving home after work - would be an excuse for deputies to pull them over or arrest them.

One Superior Court judge moved meetings with her staff and other judges to the chamber restroom, believing it would be a less likely spot for a listening device.

Not enough for you?

One employee was so rattled she could barely speak.

Oh, it gets worse:

Isham told his wife to be careful. No U-turns. Never leave the kids in the car when returning videos. Who knows what they might call child endangerment?

Budget supervisor, Ryan Wimmer:

"Everything I do," he said, "I just assume it will be used against me."

Let's hope all of this will be used successfully against Sheriff Lunatic. This is beyond belief.

H/t: Tiggrr1

Underpants Bomber indicted

By GottaLaff

Per MSNBC, Underpants Guy plead "not guilty" during a very brief (no pun) 3 minute court session. It was reported that he was "wearing khaki pants" and spoke English and was clearly understood.

The real question was, did he go commando?

Bygones.

I'm not sure how we got through this alive. After all, this took place in an American court. Did his terrorist cooties escape through the air conditioner vent? Did the grand jury turn into Al Qaeda operatives? Did the terrorists win... again... under President Obama's watch? After all, it was Obama who was responsible for the 9/11 attack.

But then again, you know that, because Team Cheney is out there lying about it.

Here's more:

A grand jury indicted Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, 23, on charges of trying to blow up a Detroit-bound plane on Christmas Day. The Nigerian was indicted on 6 counts, including attempted murder of the other 289 passengers and crew aboard the plane, and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

He faces life in prison.

VIDEO: Sheriff Joe Arpaio investigated by grand jury, officials confirm

By GottaLaff



Maybe the eventual legal consequences will include a mandatory pink underwear prison wardrobe (one can only imagine the malfunctions):

Two Maricopa County executives said Thursday they will appear before a federal grand jury next week to testify about allegations that Sheriff Joe Arpaio
and others in his office have abused their power.

County Manager David Smith and Deputy County Manager Sandi Wilson said they met with representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office on Wednesday to prepare for the grand jury.

Previous posts on this stellar example of law enforcement:

Sheriff Joe Arpaio Forces Woman to Give Birth While Shackled

VIDEO: Sheriff Joe Arpaio could be next Arizona governor?

Sheriff Arpaio Watch: Activist's Letter of Disgust to Eric Holder's DOJ Investigators

H/t: Tiggrr1

Secret Grand Jury, Feds Launch Investigation of John Edwards Campaign

By GottaLaff

Inquiring minds may not want to know:

Federal investigators "are sifting through the records of money that helped John Edwards' presidential campaign to determine if any was used to keep quiet his affair with Rielle Hunter," the Charlotte Observer reports.

"Records show that Hunter was paid by a political action committee aligned with Edwards. She received $114,000 to film Edwards as he hopscotched the nation to rally crowds in the fight against poverty."

Edwards acknowledged the investigation to the Raleigh News and Observer: "I am confident that no funds from my campaign were used improperly. However, I know that it is the role of government to ensure that this is true. We have made available to the United States both the people and the information necessary to help them get the issue resolved efficiently and in a timely matter. We appreciate the diligence and professionalism of those involved and look forward to a conclusion."

Who broke the story? Once again, it was the National Enquirer.

Sleaze Factor: Rising. John Edwards' star: Fallen.

Feds Probe Domenici for Obstruction of Justice In Iglesias Firing

By GottaLaff

Get out the popcorn. It's grand jury time!

A federal grand jury probe of the firings of nine U.S. attorneys during the Bush administration is focusing on the role played by recently retired Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and former senior Bush White House aides in the 2006 dismissal of David Iglesias as U.S. attorney for New Mexico, according to legal sources familiar with the inquiry.

The federal grand jury is investigating whether Domenici and other political figures attempted to improperly press Iglesias to bring a criminal prosecution against New Mexico Democrats just prior to the 2006 congressional midterm elections, according to legal sources close to the investigation and private attorneys representing officials who prosecutors want to question. Investigators appear to be scrutinizing Iglesias' firing in the context of whether he was fired in retaliation because Domenici and others believed that he would not manipulate the timing of prosecutions to help Republicans.

Eventually BushCo will pay for the horrific abuses they've committed. Between this, the Karl Rove subpoena, and documents that continue to be uncovered, we're finally on our way back to real justice. This is only the beginning...

VIDEO-- Bill Richardson watch: The specifics

By GottaLaff

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Just to catch you up on the specifics of the allegations:

NBC’s Lisa Myers reported last month:

“The allegations now being investigated by a federal grand jury involve whether Richardson as governor steered state bond business to a firm whose founder made substantial contributions to Richardson's political action committee. Two former state officials involved in the bond deals told NBC News that they testified before a grand jury in Albuquerque last week. One official says prosecutors focused on whether Richardson or staff pushed to give business to CDR Financial Products. It specifically asked about what's called pay to play.”

Bill Richardson "avows his innocence".