Jailed Legislator Defends Himself

Semi-News/Semi-Satire ^ | 7 Feb 2014 | John Semmens

[John Semmens]

Though currently serving a six-month sentence for assaulting a woman who declined to have sex with him, Representative Carlos Henriquez (D-Suffolk) refuses to resign from the Massachusetts House.

“First of all, my incarceration is illegal,” Henriquez argued. “Members of the legislature are supposed to have immunity. Secondly, the Ethics Committee’s recommendation that I be removed from office contradicts the vote of the people of my district who are entitled to have the person of their choice represent them. Nowhere in the State Constitution does it say that a person in prison cannot serve in the legislature.”

The representative has suggested that “a six-month leave of absence would best serve the interests of everyone involved. The will of the voters would be respected. The expense of a special election would be avoided. And I could rejoin the legislature refreshed and with a new perspective on the issue of state corrections policy.”

Henriquez, who has been a prominent advocate against gun violence, says there is no inconsistency in his behavior. “If that woman had a gun I’d probably be dead,” he pointed out. “So, I’d say that Massachusetts’ tight control over gun ownership has clearly saved at least one life.”

if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...

http://azconservative.org/2014/02/08/dems-say-obamacare-will-liberate-millions-from-workplace-drudgery/

[Chode]

OK, i know there's supposed to be some satire in there somewhere, but damn if i can find it...

[cynwoody]

Speakers of the Massachusetts House:

The third one, Sal DiMasi, can be seen here over Mittens's left shoulder as he signs RomneyCare into law in 2006.

DiMasi is doing eight years in federal prison and lost his $60,142-a-year pension.