4 ms·

Regarding the Rehberg v. Paulk case - is that the end of the story? Did the chief investigator or prosecutor suffer any consequences for their actions? How co

by defen 14y ago

Regarding the Rehberg v. Paulk case - is that the end of the story? Did the chief investigator or prosecutor suffer any consequences for their actions? How could a prosecutor do that and not get disbarred?

DannyBee 14y ago
Here is what I can find out: Starting with the complicated story here: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1531644.html http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1531644.html Ken Hodges is now a partner in a law firm (Ashe, Rafuse & Hill, LLP). I can find nothing that says he was disciplined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hodges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hodges Kelly Burke resigned, but not because of disgrace, but to run for election elsewhere: http://www.macon.com/2010/02/24/1035453/burke-to-resign.html http://www.macon.com/2010/02/24/1035453/burke-to-resign.html He lost that election, and is now at his own law firm: http://www.burkelasseterllc.com/ http://www.burkelasseterllc.com/ (I'm going by http://www.martindale.com/Mr-Kelly-R-Burke/888392-lawyer.htm http://www.martindale.com/Mr-Kelly-R-Burke/888392-lawyer.htm, which points to this) I can't find out all the details of what happened to James Paulk, but if he was charged, it doesn't show up in the public records I have access to. FWIW: Not all prosecutors are like this. I clerked for a former state's attorney who was a judge on the maryland court of special appeals. I have not the slightest doubt that he would have arrested, charged, and prosecuted all three of these men if something like this ever happened in his state.
- nullc 14y ago
  That Wikipedia article appears to have been whitewashed. So much for justice.
  - Natsu 14y ago
    Maybe, but for how long? It's wikipedia and this is HN. There have to be a few wiki admins around here who can defend it from reverts and procedural nonsense if someone slips in a few well-sourced edits.
    - chris_wot 14y ago
      I was a former Wikipedia admin (three times, actually), and I can tell you that you don't need to be an admin to correct articles.
      - Natsu 14y ago
        Of course not, but it helps when the corrections are contentious. And this is a biography of a living person, which often involves extra drama. There's already some stuff on the talk page about that, actually.
        chris_wot 14y ago
        I think you answer the issue partly in your answer to me: discuss it on the talk page and get consensus.
rehbergc 14y ago
Ken Hodges actually even ran for Attorney General of Georgia after doing this, and thankfully lost. Neither Hodges nor Burke were disbarred, nor is their any indication of any bar action at all. The investigator, Paulk, remains today as the chief investigator of the Dougherty County D.A.'s office. There is a documentary about much of this case, see www.DoNoHarmDoc.com . I am Charles Rehberg, the defendant in this case, and would be glad to answer any questions. I am at RehbergC at AOL dot com. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruling in my case opens the door for even more prosecutorial abuse by expanding their immunities.

by defen 14y ago

DannyBee 14y ago

Here is what I can find out: Starting with the complicated story here: http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1531644.html http://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-11th-circuit/1531644.html Ken Hodges is now a partner in a law firm (Ashe, Rafuse & Hill, LLP). I can find nothing that says he was disciplined: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hodges http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Hodges Kelly Burke resigned, but not because of disgrace, but to run for election elsewhere: http://www.macon.com/2010/02/24/1035453/burke-to-resign.html http://www.macon.com/2010/02/24/1035453/burke-to-resign.html He lost that election, and is now at his own law firm: http://www.burkelasseterllc.com/ http://www.burkelasseterllc.com/ (I'm going by http://www.martindale.com/Mr-Kelly-R-Burke/888392-lawyer.htm http://www.martindale.com/Mr-Kelly-R-Burke/888392-lawyer.htm, which points to this) I can't find out all the details of what happened to James Paulk, but if he was charged, it doesn't show up in the public records I have access to. FWIW: Not all prosecutors are like this. I clerked for a former state's attorney who was a judge on the maryland court of special appeals. I have not the slightest doubt that he would have arrested, charged, and prosecuted all three of these men if something like this ever happened in his state.

nullc 14y ago
That Wikipedia article appears to have been whitewashed. So much for justice.
- Natsu 14y ago
  Maybe, but for how long? It's wikipedia and this is HN. There have to be a few wiki admins around here who can defend it from reverts and procedural nonsense if someone slips in a few well-sourced edits.
  - chris_wot 14y ago
    I was a former Wikipedia admin (three times, actually), and I can tell you that you don't need to be an admin to correct articles.
    - Natsu 14y ago
      Of course not, but it helps when the corrections are contentious. And this is a biography of a living person, which often involves extra drama. There's already some stuff on the talk page about that, actually.
      - chris_wot 14y ago
        I think you answer the issue partly in your answer to me: discuss it on the talk page and get consensus.

rehbergc 14y ago

Ken Hodges actually even ran for Attorney General of Georgia after doing this, and thankfully lost. Neither Hodges nor Burke were disbarred, nor is their any indication of any bar action at all. The investigator, Paulk, remains today as the chief investigator of the Dougherty County D.A.'s office. There is a documentary about much of this case, see www.DoNoHarmDoc.com . I am Charles Rehberg, the defendant in this case, and would be glad to answer any questions. I am at RehbergC at AOL dot com. Ultimately, the Supreme Court ruling in my case opens the door for even more prosecutorial abuse by expanding their immunities.