Special Counsel David Weiss has filed a blistering opposition to the motion to dismiss by Hunter Biden in California that cites his own book and conflicting statements as creating “nothing more than a house of cards.” The filing (below) shows how Hunter’s claims (repeated by many in the media) collapse under even cursory review in court. Continue reading ““Patently False”: Special Counsel Files Blistering Reply to Hunter Biden Motion to Dismiss”
Category: Criminal law
In the old days, Jeremy Pauley of Thompson, 42, would have been called a “grave digger” or “body snatcher.” However, the harvester of Harvard Medical School’s cadavers preferred “oddity collector,” thank you very much. Now, despite an extensive illegal operation in trafficking body parts, Pauley was spared any jail time by federal prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania. Continue reading “Harvard’s “Oddities Collector” Gets Probation After Unlawful Trafficking in Human Body Parts”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the expanding controversy surrounding the disqualification of Fani Willis and Nathan Wade. In today’s legislative hearing in Atlanta, counsel Ashleigh Merchant testified that cellphone records on one occasion show “pings” on Wade’s cellphone from his home to the vicinity of Willis’s home followed by a call to Willis and then hours of silence. The next morning, she claims, the data shows him going back to his home and texting Willis. It is only the latest example of how evidence against the two prosecutors is growing and possible explanations are dwindling in the case. The greatest problem is how these allegations are beginning to mirror those against the defendants being prosecuted by Willis and Wade.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “Of Pings and Prosecutors: The Spectacular Imposition of the Willis-Wade Testimony”
Below is my column in the Hill on a controversial criminal case involving a conservative journalist who was arrested after the January 6th riot. The prosecution of Steven Baker exposes the growing tensions in the media over the role of reporters as advocates.
Here is the column: Continue reading “The Curious Case of Steven Baker: Advocate, Journalist, or Advocacy Journalist?”
In its affidavit supporting criminal charges, the Justice Department showed  Air Force lieutenant colonel Larry Rendall Brock on the Senate floor on January 6, 2021 in a helmet and combat gear. That outfit only magnified the anger of many of us over the riot and the interruption of our constitutional process of certification. However, while there was little question of the validity of the charges against him, U.S. District Judge John Bates in March 2023 imposed a two year sentence based on a common enhancing factor cited by the government in many of these cases for the “substantial interference with the administration of justice.” A panel on the D.C. Circuit has now ruled against the use of that enhancer in a decision that could compel the resentencing of dozens of defendants from the January 6th riot. Continue reading “The Recalibration of Colonel Brock: D.C. Circuit Ruling for J6 Rioter Could Impact Hundreds of Cases”
There is a lot of chatter this morning about the interview of Hunter Biden with Axios before his appearance in Congress for testimony on the alleged corrupt activities of his family. The interview has powerful moments as Hunter describes his struggle with addiction and the pressure that he feels to stay sober in light of the election. However, one line stood out in the interview where Hunter confirms that he has been sober since June 1, 2019. That is notably after the date that he signed the gun form at the heart of his federal indictment. Continue reading “Hunter Blows Away His Own Counsel’s Sobriety Defense”
Below is my column in new research published in the Washington Post that turned up an interesting case involving the prosecution of the great-great-grandfather of President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. What was interesting about the account was not the criminality, which can be found in the history of many families. Rather it was the intervention of allies and negating of the conviction of Mose Robinette that was so ironic in light of the current controversies.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Before Joe, James and Hunter, There Was Great-Great-Grandpa Moses”
In the movie Friends with Benefits, the character Jamie asks Dylan “why do I get the feeling this is the first real commitment you’ve ever made?” Dylan responds “It’s not. T-Mobile. Two years. And f*** do I regret that one!”
The ongoing proceedings involving Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and lead prosecutor Nathan Wade seem to be playing out a real-life version of Friends with Benefits, though the benefits may have violated core ethical rules. Now, it appears that Wade may, like Dylan, regret that cellphone plan. Continue reading “Friends with Benefits? Telephone Records Raise New Challenge to the Willis/Wade Testimony”
Below is my column in the New York Post on the indictment of Alexander Smirnov and the use of the charges by Hunter Biden to seek to dismiss his own charges. That dog won’t hunt.
Here is the column: Continue reading “No, the Indictment of Alexander Smirnov Does Not Exonerate Hunter Biden”
Below is my column in Fox.com on the flurry of recent filings by Hunter Biden who appears to be channeling Donald Trump in his attacks on prosecutors, whistleblowers and the media.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Hunter Biden Goes Full Trump in a Flurry of Court Filings”
Dauphin County Magisterial District Judge Sonya M. McKnight, 57, is facing a case of modus operandi this week. However, the suspect showing the alleged pattern of criminal conduct is herself. McKnight is accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend in the head while he slept. The shooting took place five years after McKnight was cleared in the shooting of her former husband in the groin.
Below is a slightly expanded version of my column on Fox.com on the hearing in Georgia over allegations of improper conduct by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. In her combative testimony, Willis looked strikingly like the man she is prosecuting.
Here is the column: Continue reading “Willis Goes Full Trump . . . and May Get Away With It”
Below is my column in The Hill on the applicability of the 25th Amendment to remove President Joe Biden in light of the Special Counsel report detailing his “diminished faculties.” Despite the various calls for using the amendment, it is neither practically likely nor factually warranted on the basis of his report.
Here is the column:
Continue reading “Can Biden Be Removed Under the 25th Amendment? Don’t Bet on It”
There was a notable filing in the ongoing scandal in Georgia over the intimate relationship between Fulton County District Attorney Fani T. Willis and her subordinate special prosecutor Nathan J. Wade. Defense lawyer, Ashleigh Merchant, claims to have an affidavit that Willis lied about when the relationship began — a critical fact in her defense against ethical allegations. Continue reading “New Filing Accuses Fani Willis of Misrepresenting the Date of her Affair with Nathan Wade”
“That is not the judgment of the press.” Those words from President Joe Biden were a telling moment after a reporter noted that there is widespread concern that he is mentally diminished. Biden’s cranky response was overshadowed by his confusion on other points during the press conference, including mixing up the presidents of Egypt and Mexico. However, it captured the sense of license and expectation of the Biden White House that the press is supposed to toe the line, as it has for three years. Continue reading ““That is Not the Judgment of the Press”: The White House Calls the Media to Heel With Disinformation Campaign”