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failing to disclose money paid as a finders' fee Umm .. they paid bribes to judges to enslave children. This isn't some tech startup recruiting employees.
by argumentum 13y ago
failing to disclose money paid as a finders' fee
Umm .. they paid bribes to judges to enslave children. This isn't some tech startup recruiting employees.
- rayiner 13y agoRobert Powell claims the judges extorted him: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/11/04/ex_owner_of_pa_youth_lockups_gets_18_months http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/11/04/ex_own.... It sounds ridiculous, but remember, the standard of proof at a criminal trial is "beyond a reasonable doubt." In a situation like this with four people pointing fingers at each other, giving the owners a plea deal probably ensured the prosecutors' ability to get the judges.
- argumentum 13y agoBtw, I agree with you regarding why this outcome was reached. Doesn't change it being an unjust outcome. From the article you linked .. "Even though they were in positions of power and influence, I had the ultimate ability to do the right thing and say no. I was wrong for giving in and paying them and will forever bear the burden of having done so," he [Robert Powell] wrote. Whether or not they "extorted" him (though he still managed to profit in the millions), doesn't change the seriousness of what he did .. which was to enslave children.
- rayiner 13y agoBtw, I don't disagree with you re: the seriousness of what they did. I'm just saying I see the tactical reason for why they were charged the way they were.
- tptacek 13y agoWere those two people still sitting judges up until the time the other co-conspirators agreed to cooperate? If so, it would have been massively more important to take down the judges. Later The appeals decision upholding Ciavarella's conviction suggests that he was still a sitting judge at the time Powell began cooperating.