Judge refuses to reconsider decision to toss out Leung spy case

LOS ANGELES - A federal judge on Wednesday refused to reconsider her decision to toss out charges against Katrina Leung, a Chinese-American business woman accused of accessing and copying classified FBI documents.

Prosecutors alleged Katrina Leung, 50, took classified documents from the briefcase of her longtime FBI handler James J. Smith, with whom she was having an affair.

They accused her of secretly working for the Chinese government but never charged her with giving the documents to a foreign government.

U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper dismissed the case in January, stating that prosecutors engaged in misconduct by keeping Smith - who agreed to a plea bargain - from communicating with Leung and her attorneys.

Leung's attorneys said he could provide key information to help clear her of the charges.

Cooper's ruling Wednesday included slightly revised wording so as not to single out the lead prosecutor in the case in connection with the misconduct.

Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney office in Los Angeles, said Wednesday his office was considering its options, including an appeal.

She faced up to 14 years in prison if convicted of illegally copying and possessing national security documents.

Smith, 61, pleaded guilty to lying about his two-decade affair with Leung and agreed to testify against her. In exchange, the government dismissed more serious charges, allowing him to keep his government pension and avoid jail.

Cooper, Florence-Marie

Born 1940 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Central District of California
Nominated by William J. Clinton on July 14, 1999, to a seat vacated by Linda H. McLaughlin; Confirmed by the Senate on November 10, 1999, and received commission on November 15, 1999.

Education:
City College of San Francisco, 1971

Whittier College School fo Law, J.D., 1975

Professional Career:
Law clerk, Hon. Arthur Alarcon, appellate department, Los Angeles Superior Court, 1975-1977
Deputy city attorney, Los Angeles, CA, 1977
Senior research attorney, Hon. Arthur Alarcon, Second Appellate District, California Court of Appeal, 1978-1980
Senior research attorney, Hon. Woods, Second Appellate District, California Court of Appeal, 1980-1983
Adjunct professor, San Fernando Valley College School of Law, 1980-1985
Court commissioner, Los Angeles Superior Court, CA, 1983-1990
Judge, Los Angeles Municipal Court, CA, 1990-1991
Judge, Los Angeles Superior Court, CA, 1991-1999

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Female

Hmmmmmmm......IMO,.....Everybody is 'dirty' in this one.

LOS ANGELES - A federal judge on Wednesday refused to reconsider her decision to toss out charges against Katrina Leung, a Chinese-American business woman accused of accessing and copying classified FBI documents. Prosecutors alleged Katrina Leung, 50, took classified documents from the briefcase of her longtime FBI handler James J. Smith, with whom she was having an affair. They accused her of secretly working for the Chinese government but never charged her with giving the documents to a foreign government. U.S. District Judge Florence-Marie Cooper dismissed the case in January, stating that prosecutors engaged in misconduct by keeping Smith - who agreed to a plea bargain - from communicating with Leung and her attorneys. Leung's attorneys said he could provide key information to help clear her of the charges. Cooper's ruling Wednesday included slightly revised wording so as not to single out the lead prosecutor in the case in connection with the misconduct. Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney office in Los Angeles, said Wednesday his office was considering its options, including an appeal. Leung was RECRUITED by the FBI in the early 1980s to gather intelligence. She faced up to 14 years in prison if convicted of illegally copying and possessing national security documents. Smith, 61, pleaded guilty to lying about his two-decade affair with Leung and agreed to testify against her. In exchange, the government dismissed more serious charges, allowing him to keep his government pension and avoid jail.

1. ....?....is this judge really a CITIZEN of the U.S.A.,??

2......?....what is 'recruited'...LOL

3......?....'Katrina'....sure

4......?....Smith and 20 years,...20 years,....LOL

5......?....Bill Clintoon's Canadian/Moscow/British Rowdz Skallerz Team?

IMO.....all of the above are 'dirty',......'I feel your pain'...LOL

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.