Submitted by Darren Smith, Weekend Contributor
We previously discussed the case of California State Senator Leland Yee accused of several corruption and weapons charges, including an accusation of conspiracy to import weaponry from terrorists in the Far East. The case stems from Leland’s alleged association with a San Francisco based criminal organization. Previous articles may be read regarding the original accusations HERE, and his suspension from the California Senate HERE.
A new indictment was unsealed against Leland alleging Racketeering and Conspiracy To Obtain Property Under The Color Of Official Right.
Leland had previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges in the first indictment and will face on Wednesday arraignment on new charges. The new charges included: Conspiracy to Conduct the Affairs of an Enterprise Through a Pattern of Racketeering Activity, 18 USC 1962(d); Conspiracy to Obtain Property Under Control of Official Right, 18 USC 1951(a); Honest Services Conspiracy, 18 USC 1349; Scheme to Defraud Citizens of Honest Services, Wire Fraud, 18 USC 1343, 1346,2; and Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms without a License; Conspiracy to Illegally Import Firearms 18 USC 371, 922(a)(1), 922(1). The most severe carry a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a $250,000.00 fine.
The Indictment of Leland and numerous others particularly describes the crimes and conspiracy alleged and may be read here. (Note: there is a yellow highlight about half-way through the document showing where to begin with Leland.
The new accusations allege that San Francisco Democrat offered to help pass legislation making it more difficult for professional football players to obtain workers compensation in California, in exchange for campaign contributions from an unidentified NFL team owner. Leland was informed that an undercover agent investigating him knew the owner of this NFL team who would benefit from passage of a bill that would limit the ability of professional athletes from out-of-state teams to file for workers’ compensation over injuries sustained in California.
Additionally, the new indictment accuses Leland of taking bribes in exchange for votes in favor of several other bills, including one on medical marijuana and another to extend the life of the California State Athletic Commission.
The indictment also accuses Leland of “extorting individuals related to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) and the Mixed Martial Arts industry regarding retaining the existence of CSAC and its ability to regulate certain sports” in California.
By Darren Smith
Sources:
Huffington Post
KING 5 News
LA Times / Indictment True Bill
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The links Darren provided documents this dirtballs record.
BK, Yee has a horrible history of taking bribes, including but not limited to Asian gangs. He’s worse than most.
@nicks
Thx nick! I will get that book.
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Squeeky, Your wit and humor is a great addition here.
There is a short book available only on Kindle titled, The Dude Abides. It’s a 50 pager written by an intern who worked on that film. Since you are a rarity, Squeeky, a woman who likes The Big Lebowski, I recommend it to you. It’s only $3.
… help pass legislation making it more difficult for professional football players to obtain workers compensation in California, in exchange for campaign contributions…
…. taking bribes in exchange for votes in favor of several other bills….
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But isn’t that what legislators do? Why are they picking on Yee?
[cynicism is in high gear today]
Conspiracy theory in an indictment ?
One aspect of the Yee story is the prohibitive price of entry, ie, campaign finance, for elected office. Yee’s motive apparently was to pay off debts incurred from his failed campaign for (iirc) San Francisco mayor. Of course, that raises the question of what Yee might have done to pay those debts from that office had he won the election. The Yee story also confirms that politicians are beholden to the people who pay for their electoral campaigns. The quid pro quo SOP is just more plainly demonstrated and 80s-movie-villain-like in Yee’s case.
Hmmm. Now I know where Walter Sobchak was planning to get a toe:
“Walter Sobchak: You want a toe? I can get you a toe, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don’t wanna know about it, believe me.
The Dude: Yeah, but Walter…
Walter Sobchak: Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o’clock this afternoon… with nail polish. . .”
Squeeky Fromm
Girl Reporter
Yee, like several other corrupt politicians, is a deceptively good-looking man. People tend to judge people by the way they look – a huge error, especially in politics. It’s curious that our minds have been groomed to perceive of a certain look as trustworthy when the opposite is much more likely. Knowing that people trust a person, based on his looks, is likely to cause that person to take advantage of that condition.
Yee could have gotten into acting years ago. He looks a little like George Takei.
Sulu goes nuts and thinks this is fun. They fire more missiles than Hamas in this video!
Senator Yee seems to be getting what he deserved.
Yee of little faith.
On a sad note, we lost Dr Samuel Brisbane today. He was Liberia’s top Ebola doctor, and he, and some of his staff, have died of Ebola. There’s no cure for the disease. Health workers are at great risk, so it’s a selfless act to work in an Ebola ward.
So sad. I hope they contain it.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/07/27/ebola-virus-kills-senior-doctor-in-liberia/
Karen, No, There is no comment section. Rookie error. That’s a joke, Ms. Dienes.
Can anyone else comment on the Corporal Punishment article? The comments section is missing for me, and I don’t know if the problem is on my end or not. . .
That’s just so sad. The latest excesses among politicians, like Lois Lerner, who think they are above the law.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigoso is another common example of corruption in CA. The highest paid mayor in the US, he was in the pocket of the notorious Teamsters Union, and there were so many scandals about him accepting expensive tickets to games and events that were against the rules. He barely put in any work in the office. Most of the CA papers ran multiple corruption articles.
The whole state is becoming more like sleazy Chicago politics.
http://capoliticalnews.com/2012/03/24/the-many-faces-of-los-angeles-corruption-and-incompetence/
When you’re a Jet you’re a Jet.
You’re a Jet all the way!
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Oh, wrong football team. He wont be smiling in prison. Nope.
Thanks for keeping us update on this crook, Darren. Damn, I thought Dems were strong supporters of unions!!