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Do the Feds ever admit they are wrong?

Posted by richrobinson 10 years, 7 months ago to The Gulch: General
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I was getting my hair cut the other night and the woman I go to told me an incredible story. A friend of hers and her husband moved into a new house. The husband tried selling his house but wasn't having any luck. An employee at his restaurant asked if her boyfriend could rent the house for a while. He agreed and things went well initially. It turns out the tenant was running a drug ring. The husband had asked for the rent one month and the tenant said he would pay it in cash and drop it off later. When he didn't show the husband called and left a voice mail message asking where the money was? He thought maybe he left it somewhere before he got home. Turns out the Feds had the phones tapped and concluded that he must be part of the drug ring. One day they showed up with SWAT teams and raided their house. She was handcuffed and her husband was taken into custody. They tore the house apart and found nothing. Their car was impounded and torn apart. Again, they found nothing but the last 5 years have been a living hell. The Feds refuse to give up or admit that they were wrong even though they have nothing but the one voice mail message. Attorneys they have hired have told them that they just want him to cut a deal which would be an admission of guilt. He doesn't want to do that. They have burned thru most of their savings with legal fees. The husband was forced to close his restaurant and is still on house arrest. The actual drug dealers have served their time and are now free. I wished I could give her some good advice but this is another case where a good person gets caught in the Government meat grinder and can't get out. The husband has a hearing coming up soon. He is originally from Italy and the Feds want to deport him. Amazing.


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  • Posted by GaryL 10 years, 7 months ago
    I grew up under similar rules. When ever I protested the response was " Because I am your mother, I am always right".I could spend the rest of this entire discussion on the "Rights" I found wrong!
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  • Posted by jabuttrick 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    It just occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, the government has more than the voice mail. The convicted dealer may have received a reduced sentence by agreeing to testify against your barber's friend. If that is so then the case is more complex than we think and the government may be more confident in its case.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I was teasing (very non PC) that if he were being persecuted by authorities at this point and black, he'd have international media coverage and all the lawyers in the world.

    If the joke was lost on you it is clearly a bad one.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Thank you. I will pass this along. I obviously don't have all the details but it sounds like they have had 2 or 3 attorneys so far. At some point the Feds should have to prove something. According to my friend all they have is the voice mail. I have to follow up and see what they have tried so far.
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  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    thoritsu-huh? Db gave his advice on this post. what does skin color have to do with it? Jesse Jackson's son went down. so did that guy who had 10 grand in his freezer. sure, sharpton, waters, holder, wrangler....but I can list 3 dozen white connected folk for every one of those...connections....
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  • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 7 months ago
    Comrade citizens, how could any of our more than equal elite betters do anything wrong?
    Truth is what they say it is. So is your freedom. You know that.
    So you peons need to show more respect.
    Do you want to live in hell? Do you?
    It would behoove you to shut up and sit down.
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  • Posted by $ Thoritsu 10 years, 7 months ago
    I bet this guy is not black. He'd be richer than Eddie Murphy right now if he were.

    No lawyers in the Gulch want to take this up, and 50% of the payout when it makes 60 Minutes?
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  • Posted by jabuttrick 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    Here's a thought: The only way this could go on for years is if the defendant is expressly waiving his speedy trial rights in hopes of resolving it short of trial. It now appears resolution will not come on any reasonable terms. Therefore, stop waiving those rights. At the next hearing, or before in writing, demand an immediate trial. Now. When the judge asks if the defendant is ready for trial say "Yes, tomorrow." That will shift the burden to the government to explain why the speedy trial rights are being denied. If the judge sets a quick trial date, the pressure shifts to the government to prepare evidence sufficient to meet its burden of proof on all elements of the offense. That may be difficult to do and may force a dismissal or acceptable plea deal. Just a thought. And remember, when it comes to legal advice you get what you pay for.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    The couple has neighbors that are attorneys. They couldn't handle the case but recommended others. They have all said the same thing---It's the Feds and they won't admit they're wrong.
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  • Posted by dbhalling 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I have a suggestion, a writ of habeas corpus. However, my guess is the game is so rigged they would ignore it.
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  • Posted by Edswim 10 years, 7 months ago
    A bit surprised there aren't any Gulcher Attorneys to chime in with some options here for this couple.
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  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If they are in court, it is possible they aren't allowed to. just not enough details here
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  • Posted by 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I'm going to follow up next week and suggest that. I'm wondering why they haven't done so yet. I would be screaming! Thank you Kh. :-)
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  • Posted by khalling 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    they should take their story public. like to a Stossel or contact Levin's leagal fund. Also, because they were wiretapped, they should take something like this to Boiling Frogs team. Get it out there. get the local paper to cover it.
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  • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    When I was with the Custom Service if we got a letter from a CONgressman, it was addressed immediately. It's not the same service I was in now though.
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  • Posted by 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I wonder if the agencies involved will listen to them? More and more I think these folks feel they are untouchable.
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  • Posted by Zenphamy 10 years, 7 months ago in reply to this comment.
    More than likely. The deck is so stacked in Federal Court that you have little choice. Once their attention is drawn to you it's pretty much down on a knee and beg for mercy.
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