Posted on 07/09/2006 7:11:03 AM PDT by Libloather
Hatch helps spring Austin from Dubai jail
By The Associated Press
Sat Jul 8, 5:50 PM ET
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, sits at a piano in his Capitol Hill office in this May 6, 1997 file photo. Hatch, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, his office confirmed Saturday July 8, 2006. (AP Photo/Cameron Craig, File)
SALT LAKE CITY - U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator's office confirmed Saturday.
In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin's attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin's behalf.
A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.
On Tuesday a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.
Beyond saying Hatch has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai," his office gave The Associated Press no specifics about Hatch's dealings with the Dubai government.
Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz. Hatch has written and recorded hundreds of religious and patriotic songs.
Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin's release, The New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.
Carr said it was former Hatch staffer Nancy Taylor who contacted the senator about Austin, the Times reported. Taylor, who worked for Hatch on health care issues until 1991, now works with Reeder at Greenberg & Traurig.
Austin's attorneys said they enlisted Hatch's help because he has influence with Dubai, the paper reported. Hatch this year supported the Dubai-based DP World in its bid to manage several American ports.
In his statement, Hatch said he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation."
He also said he was confident Austin "will learn from this experience."
Ok, who made up that ridiculous name, Dallas Austin?
sarcasm
I am really getting sick of how the folks at the top take care of each other.
Bingo.
His mother and father -- Odessa Houston and Amarillo L. Paso
Hatch should make that rapper record some patriotic songs!
Vote him out! When is he up for reelection? sarc.
So....does he serve his sentence in the US, or is this just another example of "how much justice can you afford"?
It appears Mr. Austin will be scot-free now. I don't see how he can serve any time in the U.S. if he wasn't charged with or convicted of the crime here.
I used to have a lot of admiration for Sen. Hatch.
Does anyone have Dallas Austin's real name?
It'd be interesting to check the fec.gov database for political contributions.
Why should this guy receive special treatment, both from our own government officials and those in Dubai? I cannot figure this out, why did this guy merit such special treatment? This is puzzling to me?
"I used to have a lot of admiration for Sen. Hatch."
I knew Hatch personally 40 years ago when he was a conservative, he's morphed into a mushy RINO.
He should have let that guy rot in their prison.
Another celebrity eludes justice.
Does anyone have Dallas Austin's real name?
Typical career politician.
I dislike his personna - a bit to nerdish for my taste; and I recall him sucking up to Swimmer more than once.
But, I have no problem with his performance, until this. What? Is he desperate to get in with the cool crowd?
Imus has him on once in a while. I hope he gets him Monday and nails his scrawny butt to the wall, on this stoopid move.
This reeks.
If we insist that people coming to the US don't break our laws (how does one say illegal alien?) then we, as US citizens, shouldn't go to other countries and break their laws.
Hatch isn't bad, for a US Senator, but when he does stuff like this it drives me batty.
Mr. Hatch does seem to have lost some of his conservative vigor since the 80s expired.
P-Doobie Dubai...ohh, yea, a-way we go
yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah
P-Doobie Dubai...oh, baybee, a-way we go
A fine little girl, she wait for me
Me Catch the ship, a-cross the sea
I sailed the ship, all a-lone
I never think, I'll make it home
P-Doobie Dubai...ohh, yea, a-way we go
yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah,yeah
P-Doobie Dubai...oh, baybee, a-way we go
LOL!! I've had that refrain running thru my brain all morning after coming up w/ Dallas Austin's 'real' name! ;>)
I have a lot of abomination for Sen Hatch. Wonder what kind of deal he had to make for this and why, why, why, did he do this? And please media - get off the shared love of music crapola. They share the same entertainment lawyer. Note to Hatch: Either shut up and sing or take care of our country's business.
> I knew Hatch personally 40 years ago when he was a conservative, he's morphed into a mushy RINO.
I don't recognize the Republican party anymore. It's time for another revolution in the Senate. This time we throw the Dims AND the Repubs (except for true friends like Tancredo) OUT and let real 3rd party Americans in!
Good 'ol Orrin Hatch. He's for mandatory minimum sentences for regular American's caught with coke, but he's willing to pull strings to pardon his buddies who are caught in other countries with coke. Another worthless WOD hypocrite showing his true colors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.