Posted on 12/06/2012 1:08:12 PM PST by marktwain
In 2010, the SHOT Show was roiled by the news of almost two dozen executives arrested in a massive bribery sting. The case has just concluded two years of falling apart with an interesting result: the 22 executives arrested are free and clear, and the FBI's ace informant, who seems to be a shockingly bad bloke even as CIs go, is going up the river on the charges that they were holding over his head.
The taxpayers are out many millions (tens of millions?) on a political prosecution led by a familiar name -- Lanny Breuer -- to besmirch the shooting industry's main annual event, and there's nothing to show for it but gigantic lawyers' bills for the framed defendants (including a SWHC VP) and a major hit to the FBI's reputation for professionalism and probity.
We really can't improve on The Firearm Blog's analysis of this, so we'll just send you over there, although we're unable to resist providing a couple of comments after their lede below, to add a smidgen of perspective.
In 2010 the BATFE arrested 21 people, including Smith & Wesson executives for beaching the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, a law which prohibits US corporations, citizens and residents from bribing foreign officials. Those arrested were charged with conspiring to bribe officials in the African state of Gabon as part of a deal to sell $15 million of equipment to the 1,800 man strong Gabon Presidential (Republican) Guard.via The Firearm Blog » Sting Charges Dismissed, Guilty Pleas Vacated, FBI Informant Sentenced to Prison.
Absolutely, positively read the whole thing, and read the legal news reports of the Beltway defense law firm that TFB linked. This one is the most recent and includes links to their earlier commentary on this case.
(Excerpt) Read more at weaponsman.com ...
Can the accused get legal fees and damages or is this a win for the Feds because they cost the defendants millions and intimidated the industry?
The 0bamugabe outlaw government strikes out again.
Maybe not. They could have found their next ATF director in Mr. Bistrong He has good creds in their eyes.
I’m sure they aren’t going to quit.
bttt
Plea bargains should be ruled unConstitutional. It really leads to more, not less prosecutorial abuse. Just as administrative law allows the executive branch to abuse the public, plea bargaining allows prosecutors with weak cases to claim a “win”.
Instead, in cases like this, we need a mechanism such that the prosecutor should be fired and defense funds repaid by the government.
One of the biggest fears of the Founders were political prosecutions. Doesn’t any American learn history any more?
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