Below is my column in The Hill newspaper on the most recent indictment of Russian military intelligence figures for hacking the computer systems linked to the Clinton campaign and the Democratic party. Once again, the indictment seems straightforward in what is says and what it does not say. Yet, the Washington spin machine quickly put forward highly distorted accounts, including media reports that worked hard to avoid acknowledging obvious elements of the indictment.
Here is the column: Continue reading ““O Goody Ruskies”: Mueller Finds Witches But Which Witches Are We Hunting?”
Over the course of the last year, I have been highly critical of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein for his 
We 
Brian R. McNaughton, a former associate professor at Colorado State University, has been criminally charged for his alleged faking of an offer of employment from the University of Minnesota to secure a raise. That $5,000 raise became a costly addition as part of 
Paul Manafort is in the process of being transferred to Virginia’s Alexandria Detention Center to allow greater communication with his counsel. The transfer was accompanied with a new mugshot and 
It could be one of the most curious criminal charges of the year. Jonathan Crenshaw, 46, is an artist in Miami Beach who is accused of stabbing a tourist. However, Crenshaw paints with his feet because he has no arms. 
Earle Stevens Jr., 69, had a novel defense in Florida when he was stopped by an officer on suspicion of drunk driving. According to the driver, Stevens insisted that that he had only been drinking at red lights and stop signs. The officer was not impressed by the claim that he was drinking then driving then drinking but never at the same time.
Travaile Speller has a curious case against Mecklenburg County Jail for depriving him of lunch. Speller is Muslim and was put on the traditional meal plan for Ramadan of two meals a day. Speller has sued for major damages for “intentionally eliminating one whole meal (lunch) which is cruel and unusual punishment directed towards all Muslims.” The problem is that Speller reportedly signed up to participate in the Ramadan schedule, including the skipping of lunches. He now wants a jury trial and $250,000 in damages. 
Attorneys for former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort have asked a federal judge for a venue change on the rather dubious grounds that Alexandria Virginia is simply too liberal. Manafort wants a jury in Roanoke where there are more Republicans. It is an exceptionally weak motion and would be unprecedented to shift jurisdiction based on the political views of the local electorate as opposed to using voir dire to spot bias. Attorneys Kevin Downing, Thomas Zehnle and Jay Nanavati told the “It is not a stretch to expect that voters who supported Secretary Clinton would be predisposed against Mr. Manafort or that voters who supported President Donald Trump would be less inclined toward the Special Counsel.” If it is “not a stretch” politically, it is a stretch legally. In fairness to the defense time, however, it was Judge T.S. Ellis III who raised the possibility of a venue change to Roanoke or Richmond. Ellis however has a reputation for making controversial statements from the bench. In most courts, I would expect this motion to be denied fairly quickly.
Kristoffer Welch, 19, allegedly made his first mistake in tearing up a corn field with his silver Ford truck in Maine. The second mistake was posting the act on Facebook.
Below is my column in The Hill newspaper on the latest rationale for opposing any nominee of President Donald Trump: that any nomination or confirmation must wait until the completion of the investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. It is a claim being voiced by both politicians and academics despite the absence of constitutional or historical support.
Raphael A. Sanchez held a high position as chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Seattle that paid $162,000 a year. However, Sanchez was not happy with that high salary and used his authority to augment his income by stealing the identities of undocumented immigrants. With all of of the perils of facing these people, they were victimized by the lead lawyer representing the United States government. He is now facing four years in prison which strikes me as rather low for this abuse of authority.