Troy King Under Federal Investigation

Snoop away (0.00 / 0)

If he broke the law hold him accountable.  We don't know yet if he is the target or others in his office, though.

It would certainly undermine the claim that The Don's prosecution was politically motivated if the US Atty also goes after top state Republican official.

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by: Brian @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 13:23:43 PM UTC

Maybe not (4.00 / 1)

Another interpretation presumes Martin is such a political animal she is now going after high profile Republicans in a desparate bid to keep her job.  I have no idea whether she is a super straight arrow or super political, but you can argue it either way.

And you are quite right that, officially, King's office is being investigated rather than King himself. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:28:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

There are a couple of theories so far (4.00 / 2)

One is, as you say, that Martin is going after King in a bid to keep her US Attorney position.  The other is that she wants to be AL AG after she loses her US Attorney position.

The Montgomery Independent has a more detailed story on the investigation that makes it clear King is a target (at least according to their sources).

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by: Kathy @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:34:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

OR... (4.00 / 2)

(Isn't this fun!)

It could be that Martin is an agressive prosecutor willing to go after possible criminals regardless of political affiliation.  Being overly agressive she tends to not have a great winning percentage.  Until now people on the left have characterized her as being on an anti-Dem witch hunt.  Would be interesting to see it turn out that she is really on an anti-crime witch hunt (as she should be).

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by: Brian @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 15:45:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Not all people on the left... (4.00 / 1)

I've heard lots of people, left and right, question her competence as a prosecutor.  After all, Richard Scrushy was acquitted in Birmingham despite the testimony of one CFO after another that he knew what was going on at HealthSouth.

Of course, it may be that she is overly aggressive and brings cases she can't  win, but that would probably fall in the "competence" category as well.

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by: Kathy @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:14:03 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

She's on a Witch Hunt all right. (0.00 / 0)

I don't know about the anti crime part.


The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dreams shall never die.~Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D. MA)

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by: Redeye @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:15:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Answer: (4.00 / 2)

How long until someone cries political prosecution because Martin is involved?

They already are.

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by: Kathy @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:23:59 PM UTC

Link does not work - n/t (0.00 / 0)

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:32:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oops -- here it is again (4.00 / 1)

Alabama AG Troy King's Office under Investigation

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by: Kathy @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:36:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

My take is this is still part of Riley owing (4.00 / 1)

the Mississippi Choctaw gambling interest.  As far as they are concerned Riley sold them a gambling and lottery free Alabama, unless they get to own it of course, and Riley has not delivered and his clock is running out.

As for going after this Republican being evidence against political prosecutions, Riley sees King as big a political threat as Siegelman ever was.

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by: drg @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 14:49:18 PM UTC

Please explain more (4.00 / 1)

You say "Riley sees King as big a political threat as Siegelman ever was."  Riley has indicated no further plans to run for political office after 2010.  Do you think he sees King is a threat to his political legacy, his kid's future ambitions, his political allies or what?

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 15:04:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Personnel policies (4.00 / 1)

Does anyone know whether this has to do with the differential treatment some staff members have received in his office, like special salaries and special offices close to King? King has his own set of suites separate from everyone elses. No one on the staff goes there, they just smile when they talk about it. They are not invited nor do they wander over. It is off limits. 

I know the tactics Alice Martin used with the FBI in Siegelman's case. It is important that no one meet with an FBI agent alone since they end up trying to intimidate or get you to lie or distort the facts. They basically try to make you look guilty even if you have done nothing. They tried to do this to my partner who nailed the FBI agent on the witness stand. And a good day it was. 

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by: Sundog @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 15:55:46 PM UTC

Sundog, according to the Montgomery Independent, (4.00 / 1)

the questions appear to be about particular incidents of suspected corruption, but there may be more.

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by: Kathy @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:23:46 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I just read on Doc's (4.00 / 1)

that a man named Pate went to Alice Martin first and then Troy King about his building not getting financial support. I know King is on Riley's bad list about his position on gambling. How fun!!!

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by: Sundog @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:47:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Stan Pate (0.00 / 0)

Stan Pate is a major political player in the Tuscaloosa area.  By "player" I mean he gives to politicians on both sides and as a developer he has a keen interest in who is in office.

Luther Stancel "Stan" Pate IV is a businessman renowned in the Tuscaloosa suburb of Northport for his excitability and successful business acumen. Like other wealthy developers, he took a keen interest in politics and felt a "hands on" approach best suited his needs and sometimes raised a few eyebrows.

Pate held press conferences replete with thousands in cash as props to promote gambling initiatives.

He was affiliated with an ad campaign to subvert Gov. Riley.

Never hesitant to insert himself in public affairs, Pate even toyed with a candidacy for governor in 2002.

According to public records, Pate’s passions often unlocked his wallet. He took advantage of Alabama’s loose regulations involving campaign contributions and dove into a morass of political action committees. PACs have come under criticism across the country and in Alabama in particular for hiding the identities of political supporters and making it difficult to follow the flow of cash from constituent to politician.

It's a very interesting piece. 

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 17:22:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kathy, thank you for the link. (4.00 / 1)

It was more interesting than I thought. It is probably about different personnel than I thought.

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by: Sundog @ Tue Mar 10, 2009 at 16:54:01 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

This Riley getting back at King. (4.00 / 1)

It's his attempt to get King to shut up about a statewide vote on gambling.  King is not as big a political threat to Riley as Siegelman was, but he is every bit as big of a liability right now.  Riley does likely have political aspirations for the future, either for himself or for his kids, but I'm not sure that's what this is about as much as settling some scores before the clock runs out.

As for Alice Martin, this does seem to suggest that she thinks she may get to keep her spot.  I wonder who gave Pres. Obama that advice?

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by: bluebearcat @ Wed Mar 11, 2009 at 00:00:56 AM UTC

Alice Martin will never keep her spot. (4.00 / 1)

I wish the process of choosing her successor was shorter. She really is not going to stay as US Attorney. She is a mean spirited person who adheres to her party lines.

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by: Sundog @ Wed Mar 11, 2009 at 00:44:48 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

This isn't an unusually long process (0.00 / 0)

I read somewhere that Bush asked for the resignations of US Attorneys the third week in March after he came into office.  Apologies, but I can't locate a reference for this.  It would be nice to have some idea of the timeline, although AG Holder said "soon" last weekend in Selma.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Wed Mar 11, 2009 at 01:01:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kings not actually a political threat (4.00 / 1)

But it's nice to see people think he is. Honestly, King has ruled the AG's office in an abrasive manner and has acted far out of his league. He is only getting what is coming to him because I think the state GOP sees in him someone who wants to be another Wallace and given that many of them began their career as anti-Wallace Democrats it simply won't fly with them. I think this is a pre-emptive action because when you see King you see someone who thinks he can break George's 17 year record in office.

 

No matter how King gets taken out it is a positive that he does. None of this will keep Folsom from being elected, though I must say that Folsom needs to start working on his appearance now because he doesn't look as vigorous as he did in the 90s or even 2006

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by: jacool @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 00:58:19 AM UTC

Folsom's appearance (0.00 / 0)

Well, he's a cool 15 years older than he was in 1994.  And a little heavier.  But I think he really needs to work on projecting some enthusiasm and acting a little bit hungry to engage with regular people instead of being so aloof.  He's bound to have that political charm buried in there somewhere and he needs to start letting it show.

Work harder and work smarter!

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by: mooncat @ Thu Mar 12, 2009 at 03:15:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Uh...maybe act like he gives a damn! (0.00 / 0)

Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last fish has been caught. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten. Cree Nation Tribal Prophecy

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by: piggieheart @ Sat Mar 14, 2009 at 14:05:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]