Category Archives: bribery

“Legal Standard for ‘Willful’ Violations Of Campaign Law Considered by Court”

December 11, 2012, 8:20 ambribery, campaign finance, campaignsRick Hasen

Bloomberg BNA: “The legal standard to prove a ‘willful’ violation of campaign finance laws is being debated by federal prosecutors and defense lawyers in a major criminal case, with the Justice Department being accused of backing away from a… Continue reading

“High court rejects appeal of ex-La. congressman”

November 26, 2012, 8:56 ambribery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

AP: “The Supreme Court is leaving in place the corruption conviction of a former Louisiana congressman who hid money from bribes in his freezer. The justices on Monday rejected without comment an appeal by former Rep. William Jefferson, who… Continue reading

“Candidate offered to drop out – for a price”

September 20, 2012, 7:14 ambribery, campaigns, chicaneryRick Hasen

News from Nebraska.

“When is a campaign contribution a bribe?”

August 12, 2012, 9:26 pmbribery, campaign finance, chicanery, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Important Bob Barnes column in WaPo.

“Former Gov. Don Siegelman sentenced to 78 months in prison”

August 4, 2012, 1:34 pmbribery, chicanery, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

The Birmingham News reports.

Judge Myron Thompson Analyzes When Campaign Contributions Can Be Bribes

July 24, 2012, 11:20 ambribery, campaign finance, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

For those interested in the subject, this opinion is likely to be very influential.

“Constitution Check: When is making a campaign contribution a crime?”

June 5, 2012, 6:55 ambribery, campaign finance, chicanery, John EdwardsRick Hasen

Lyle Denniston writes for the National Constitution Center.

Lyle Denniston on Siegelman Cert Denial

June 4, 2012, 9:30 ambribery, campaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

Here.

Supreme Court Declines to Hear Siegelman Case

June 4, 2012, 7:16 ambribery, campaign finance, chicaneryRick Hasen

According to the Court’s order list, there were no dissents. I am very surprised, and disappointed. The John Edwards case brought to the public’s attention the risk of criminal prosecutions based upon murky law and potentially overzealous prosecutors. MORE… Continue reading

“When is a campaign donation a bribe? Supreme Court may decide”

June 2, 2012, 10:27 pmbribery, campaign finance, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

LA Times reports on the Don Siegelman cert petition.

“In Edwards Case, Judge’s Words May Hold Key, Experts Say”

May 23, 2012, 8:10 ambribery, campaign finance, campaigns, chicanery, John EdwardsRick Hasen

The New York Times offers this news analysis as we await the John Edwards verdict. The article discusses a point, which I make more fully in this Slate piece, tying the Edwards prosecution to those of Tom DeLay and… Continue reading

Siegelman Cert Petition on Supreme Court Docket for May 31

May 22, 2012, 10:10 ambribery, campaign finance, chicanery, conflict of interest lawsRick Hasen

See here. I’ve predicted a cert grant and support one.

Read the Don Siegelman Reply to Cert Petition Opposition

May 14, 2012, 11:29 ambribery, chicanery, Department of JusticeRick Hasen

Here. My earlier coverage is here.

John Edwards, Tom DeLay, Don Siegelman and the Criminalization of Politics

April 23, 2012, 7:56 ambribery, campaign finance, campaigns, chicanery, John EdwardsRick Hasen

My new Slate jurisprudence column begins: “If politics makes for strange bedfellows, so too it seems do political prosecutions.” Another snippet: It is no wonder then that liberals and conservatives have rallied around these politicians, despite the fact that most… Continue reading