Category Archives: bribery
Public Citizen Report on State Pay-to-Play Laws
Press Release: “Pay-to-play laws vary widely in scope and effectiveness, but some jurisdictions squarely address the corrupting influence of campaign contributions from government contractors, Public Citizen found in its 2016 compilation (PDF) of pay-to-play laws around the country, which… Continue reading
SCOTUSblog Symposium on McDonnell
Here, with contributions from Tara Malloy, Fred Wertheimer, Jeffrey Green & Ivan Dominguez, and Pete Patterson & John Ohlendorf, in addition to the ones from Hampton Dellinger and David Debold noted yesterday.
“A Narrow Ruling on Public Corruption”
NY Times Editorial: “The McDonnell decision should be narrowly construed and need not stop prosecutors from building strong cases against politicians who are abusing their office for personal gain.” I agree.
Tokaji: The Overreaction to McDonnell
Monday’s unanimous opinion in McDonnell v. United States has triggered a range of strong reactions. Some have lamented or even excoriated the decision for enabling corruption, while others have celebrated the Court for reining in overzealous prosecutors. A careful… Continue reading
Did McDonnell Commit Tax Fraud?
Brian Galle ponders the question here.
McDonnell Analysis and Commentary Roundup
Bob Bauer in WaPo and MSMHL
Chris Cillizza in WaPo
Amy Davidson in New Yorker
David Debold and Hampton Dellinger on SCOTUSblog
Democracy 21
Demos
Noah Feldman on Bloomberg View
William Gray at Issue One
Alan Greenblatt in Governing
Tim … Continue reading
McDonnell on What Is and Isn’t an “Official Act”
From p. 14 of the slip opinion:
Taking into account the text of the statute, the precedent of this Court, and the constitutional concerns raised by Governor McDonnell, we reject the Government’s reading of §201(a)(3) [the federal bribery statute] … Continue reading
Breaking: SCOTUS Vacates McDonnell Conviction and Remands
Unanimous according to SCOTUSblog. Opinion here. Chief Justice Roberts writes for the Court. Rick is working on a quick analysis to be posted soon.
Gov McDonnell Opinion Coming from SCOTUS Monday: What to Expect
We know this because it is the last day of the term. It is possible there’s another 4-4 tie, but I doubt it. I’m expecting a Justice Breyer majority opinion reversing the conviction, with a dissent by Ginsburg (maybe joined… Continue reading
Could Someone Legally Pay Donald Trump $150 Million to Leave Race?
This Politico story started the speculation (which seems completely unjustified), and it features a law professor saying this wouldn’t be a bribe.
I think the question is whether it is illegal to pay a candidate to withdraw from a race.… Continue reading
“Former state Sen. Ron Calderon’s guilty plea in corruption case marks blow to political dynasty”
LAT:
Monday brought a crushing blow to the family dynasty as Ron Calderon, a former state senator, pleaded guilty in the case to mail fraud, conceding he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from undercover FBI agents and… Continue reading
“Don’t make a federal case out of it”
Wendy Kaminer on Gov. McDonnell case.
“The McDonnell Case: the ‘Messages’ to Citizens”
More Bauer on McDonnell:
Zephyr Teachout has since written about the importance of the “principle” of bribery at stake in the case—the importance of “broadly” construing the “axiom that an official shouldn’t accept gifts for public duties.” She is worried… Continue reading