believe09
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"The Supreme Court justice broke a federal law by not disclosing his wife's $700,000 think-tank payday. Paul Campos on Thomas' "preposterous" defense and why he likely won't be punished."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/...3luX2hlYWRsaW5lX2xpc3QEc2xrA2NsYXJlbmNldGhvbQ--
Here are the facts set forth in this article...
Ginni Thomas was paid nearly $700,000 by the Heritage Foundation, a "conservative think tank," a.k.a. a right-wing propaganda mill, between 2003 and 2007, as well as an undisclosed amount by another lobbying group in 2009. Justice Thomas' false statements regarding his wife's income certainly constitute a misdemeanor, and quite probably a felony, under federal law. (They would be felonies if he were prosecuted under 18. U.S.C. 1001, which criminalizes knowingly making false statements of material fact to a federal agency. This is the law Martha Stewart was convicted of breaking by lying to investigators.)
Thomas' defense is that he didn't knowingly violate the law, because he "misunderstood" the filing requirements. This is preposterous on its face. Bill Clinton was impeached—and subsequently disbarred—for defending his false statements about his affair with Monica Lewinsky with an excuse that wasn't as incredible as the one Thomas is now employing.
People, he is claiming ignorance of the law. A Supreme Court Justice is claiming ignorance of the law-At least we all KNEW Clinton knew what he was risking by defending his false statements. I think the same can be said here. JMO
ETA: Just to remind you-Clarence Thomas recused himself from participating in the case that overturned Campaign Finance laws because of his wife's employers. Yup, he misunderstood the law. At least someone has made a complaint to the Missouri Bar requesting he be disbarred for this. Doubtful, but heartening that someone has made the effort.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/dailybeast/...3luX2hlYWRsaW5lX2xpc3QEc2xrA2NsYXJlbmNldGhvbQ--
Here are the facts set forth in this article...
Ginni Thomas was paid nearly $700,000 by the Heritage Foundation, a "conservative think tank," a.k.a. a right-wing propaganda mill, between 2003 and 2007, as well as an undisclosed amount by another lobbying group in 2009. Justice Thomas' false statements regarding his wife's income certainly constitute a misdemeanor, and quite probably a felony, under federal law. (They would be felonies if he were prosecuted under 18. U.S.C. 1001, which criminalizes knowingly making false statements of material fact to a federal agency. This is the law Martha Stewart was convicted of breaking by lying to investigators.)
Thomas' defense is that he didn't knowingly violate the law, because he "misunderstood" the filing requirements. This is preposterous on its face. Bill Clinton was impeached—and subsequently disbarred—for defending his false statements about his affair with Monica Lewinsky with an excuse that wasn't as incredible as the one Thomas is now employing.
People, he is claiming ignorance of the law. A Supreme Court Justice is claiming ignorance of the law-At least we all KNEW Clinton knew what he was risking by defending his false statements. I think the same can be said here. JMO
ETA: Just to remind you-Clarence Thomas recused himself from participating in the case that overturned Campaign Finance laws because of his wife's employers. Yup, he misunderstood the law. At least someone has made a complaint to the Missouri Bar requesting he be disbarred for this. Doubtful, but heartening that someone has made the effort.