Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'2016: Obama's America' Filmmaker Indicted for Violating Campaign Finance Laws
hollywoodreporter.com ^ | 1/23/2014 | Paul Bond

Posted on 01/24/2014 5:38:53 AM PST by Phillyred

Dinesh D'Souza is accused of giving too much money to a candidate who sought to replace former New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Producer Gerald Molen tells The Hollywood Reporter the charges are politically motivated.

Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D'Souza, whose documentary 2016: Obama's America took a critical look at President Barack Obama and was a surprise hit in 2012, will be arrested in New York on Friday for allegedly violating campaign-finance laws, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Federal authorities accuse D'Souza of donating more than is legal to the campaign of Wendy Long, who ran in 2012 for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton but lost to now-Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand. Long, though, is not mentioned in an indictment obtained by THR on Thursday. Insiders say D'Souza has been friends with Long since they attended Dartmouth College together in the early 1980s. According to the indictment, D'Souza donated $20,000 to Long's campaign by aggregating the money from various people and falsely reporting the source of the funds. But Gerald Molen, a co-producer of 2016, says the charge is politically motivated. "In America, we have a long tradition of not doing what is commonly done in too many other countries -- criminalizing dissent through the selective enforcement of the law," Molen tells THR. D'Souza first learned he was being investigated in the middle of 2013, several months after 2016 had earned $33 million at the box office and become the second-most-popular political documentary in U.S. history. The film included an interview with Obama's half-brother, George Obama, who was mildly critical of the president. Molen says D'Souza is being singled out for "an alleged minor violation" in the same way the IRS reportedly targeted conservative Tea Party groups for retribution. "In light of the recent events and the way the IRS has been used to stifle dissent, this arrest should send shivers down the spines of all freedom-loving Americans," Molen says. D'Souza was in San Diego working on his next film and book, each to be called America, when he was informed he was about to be indicted and that he should fly to New York and turn himself in to authorities. The indictment came late Thursday, according to those with knowledge of the situation. D'Souza's upcoming film America is due in theaters July 4 and is co-produced by Molen, who won a best picture Oscar for Schindler's List, and Gray Frederickson, who won a best picture Oscar for The Godfather Part II. D'Souza wrote and stars in the film, which is directed by John Sullivan. The filmmakers emailed a statement to THR vowing to release the film on schedule. "We believe this is an unfortunate misunderstanding arising out of Dinesh D'Souza's desire to help the uphill campaign of a friend," the statement reads. "There was no intent to do anything illegal or corrupt in any way. This will have no impact on the film America, which will be released on the Fourth of July this year as previously announced. Filming is on schedule and D'Souza will continue to lead the enterprise." Sources say D'Souza has been cooperating with authorities. He will surrender Friday for processing and be arraigned in the Southern District of New York. Benjamin Brafman, an attorney for D'Souza, tells THR that his client "did not act with any corrupt or criminal intent whatsoever ... at worst this was an act of misguided friendship by D'Souza." Molen added: "When American citizens begin to suspect that people are being arrested for alleged minor violations because of their vocal dissent against their elected representatives or rulers, it breeds disrespect and contempt for the law and suspicion of those officials. … If this unfortunate action against Dinesh is intended to deter the release of his upcoming film, America, that effort will fail." Email: Paul.Bond@THR.com


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: callforaction; criminalization; dineshdsouza; electionreform; freedomofspeech; hollywood; mccainfeingold; media; moneyisspeech; politicalcrime; politics; thuggery; tyranny; wakeupcall
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 last
To: GrandJediMasterYoda

“...He’s still in jail...”
-
Nope, he is out, now.


41 posted on 01/24/2014 7:14:40 AM PST by Repeal The 17th (We have met the enemy and he is us.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: Repeal The 17th

Oh that’s right, he got a year. But still, that’s a year of his life gone for doing absolutely nothing. The Marxists say “Oh but he was a probe ordered to stay away from computers” ...Yeah and he DID, he had someone else upload the video for him! But the Marxists didn’t care about that, they just wanted him in jail to further their ruse.


42 posted on 01/24/2014 7:29:02 AM PST by GrandJediMasterYoda (Hitlery: Incarnation of evil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Phillyred

This story is not even being reported by the MSM; they’re on to more important stories like Justin Bieber’s arrest.

This is not unlike Germany under the Nazis. The papers at the time never did any investigative reporting on what was happening to the Jews; if anything, they were a cheering section for the Regime. Nothing changes.


43 posted on 01/24/2014 7:32:36 AM PST by Flick Lives (Got a problem with the government? Have a complaint. Get a free IRS audit!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Flick Lives

I agree with your assessment.


44 posted on 01/24/2014 7:37:08 AM PST by sport
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Phillyred

Obama = Muslim Brotherhood. That is not hyperbole.


45 posted on 01/24/2014 7:44:30 AM PST by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Phillyred

I don’t want to hear one more thing about the Convention of States. We’re past that now. We either accept tyranny, or we push back, now.


46 posted on 01/24/2014 7:51:16 AM PST by demshateGod (The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ilovesarah2012

“... imagine what they can do to the little people.”

See my tag line. Your turn.


47 posted on 01/24/2014 7:59:05 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now it is your turn ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: demshateGod

I think the vote has little effect on changing things in govt. These govt agencies need to be decapitated and cleaned out, or eliminated altogether; fire them. Both political parties need to go away and their leadership forbidden to serve in govt again in any capacity. That will never happen without a miracle.


48 posted on 01/24/2014 8:01:27 AM PST by virgil
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: newnhdad

“Why don’t we just not vote next time too, that’ll show ‘em.”

You need to re-check the numbers. In 2012 there was higher voter turnout for the R presidential ticket than there was in 2008. That’s hardly more people not voting, in fact it is the direct opposite.


49 posted on 01/24/2014 9:26:05 AM PST by jurroppi1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: skeeter
We are on the very cusp of a police state, folks.

Wrong. We are on the downside of that mountain and accelerating fast.

50 posted on 01/24/2014 9:32:12 AM PST by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: ilovesarah2012
I do not believe he will voluntarily leave office in 2016.

Of course not. I don't know why Hillary is trying to rehab her image; she ain't goin' no where.

And when Obama proclaims himself King For Life, the American Pravda Press will effusively praise and applaud his "bold, courageous actions'.

51 posted on 01/24/2014 9:38:28 AM PST by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: ilovesarah2012

[ The more Obama sees that no one will stop him, the worse he will get. I do not believe he will voluntarily leave office in 2016. ]

You mean 2017....


52 posted on 01/24/2014 10:51:17 AM PST by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: demshateGod

[ I don’t want to hear one more thing about the Convention of States. We’re past that now. We either accept tyranny, or we push back, now. ]

Convention of the States is actuaslly the starting gun...

Those in power will stop it by any means, including arresting those planning it...

Just wait for that


53 posted on 01/24/2014 10:53:59 AM PST by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: jurroppi1

[ “Why don’t we just not vote next time too, that’ll show ‘em.”

You need to re-check the numbers. In 2012 there was higher voter turnout for the R presidential ticket than there was in 2008. That’s hardly more people not voting, in fact it is the direct opposite. ]

But it stillw ans’t enough to countermand the voting fraud of the Dims who knew they had to double down from 2008 to get this jackass re-elected.


54 posted on 01/24/2014 10:55:16 AM PST by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: jurroppi1

yet curiously, Obama still won with fewer votes than he had in 2008 and all the evidence points to the idea that those of us in the right didn’t vote for Romney for whatever reason. Whether it be because he’s Mormon, he was a governor of Massachusetts, his positions on abortion has “evolved”, he was too perfect, he was a rino or they just believed the media lies about him possessing cancer death rays. We even have people just holding back on casting their ballot until the super secret Reagan clone project bears fruit and gives us a perfect candidate in 40 years.

Whatever it was, we are reaping the reward of shortsightedness that permeates the right while the left keeps playing the long game.


55 posted on 01/24/2014 11:17:05 AM PST by newnhdad (Our new motto: USA, it was fun while it lasted.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: GraceG

Okay, 2017 or 2018 or ever.


56 posted on 01/24/2014 1:57:25 PM PST by ilovesarah2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: GraceG
But it stillw ans’t enough to countermand the voting fraud of the Dims who knew they had to double down from 2008 to get this jackass re-elected.

I, for one, am convinced that there is no significant difference between him and Romney.

57 posted on 01/24/2014 2:32:55 PM PST by OneWingedShark (Q: Why am I here? A: To do Justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: newnhdad

so, the repub candidate got more votes in 2012 than in 2008 and people on the right are still not voting that should; got it.

I suppose we can hold on to that assumption and hope that somehow we can overcome the influx of illegals soon to be a huge dem voting bloc - allowed to illegally vote in our elections as well.

The biggest problem is that we have become a nation of takers. The party that holds the keys to shape public opinion through the media in pretty well all of its forms has a grip on this demographic. they have decidedly shown that they will cater to the perceived whims of said victim class perpetually offended mentality types.

I don’t think the next election will matter. Before you say I’m all dispirited and dejected, know that I will vote (for all the good I assume it won’t do). I will vote in spite of the fact that my vote is countered by thousands in my precinct that will vote in the opposite direction.

You know, when the numbers are consistently so lopsided (to the tune of about 70% Dem or more on a regular basis) they don’t tend to play well with the assumption that if we just get the last remaining few percent out to vote that it will make a difference.

I guess you could count me among the cynical doubters if you must, I just don’t see it the way that you appear to.


58 posted on 01/24/2014 8:14:45 PM PST by jurroppi1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-58 last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson