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Forum Post: Public Awareness,US Code Title 18, RICO Violations, a Time for Reflection & Education, 800 lbs Guerrillas

Posted 11 years ago on Jan. 25, 2013, 1:04 p.m. EST by Middleaged (5140)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

Count on the 2 party system to focus on one issue at a time and completely avoid the nine 800 lbs Guerrillas in the Room. Be sure to check a couple of Matt Taibbi Links below.

The purpose of the RICO Act was stated as "the elimination of the infiltration of organized crime and racketeering into legitimate organizations operating in interstate commerce".

1) $600 Quadrillion Dollars in US Derivatives Globally (False Pretenses, Over Reach, RICO Influence on Ratings Agencies)

2) Robust Shadow banking Industry which is Opaque, Continuing Financial Crimes, Evidence of Mass Conspiracy in Financial Circles through LIBOR Scandal, Evidence of Government Cover-up of all Financial Crimes.(RICO Violations, Conspiracy to Commint Bank Fraud and Wire Tapping, Conflict of Interest Bank Officials)

3) Marriage of Corporations to Federal Government (Influence Peddling, RICO Violations, Obstruction of Justice, Impeding an Investigation, Conflict of Interest)

4) Federal Regulations which position themselves are Primary across all Industries, but which have been captured by Industrial Revolving Door, Lobbying, and other methods, and Regulations which are being either not enforced or are being reduced to lower standards. (Regulation Capture, RICO Violations, Conflict of Interest)

5) Capture of Government by Military Industrial-Security Complex (PMIC), leading to foreign wars, and the Creation of a huge new Federal Agency DHS. (Corp Influence, Government Restructure, RICO, Conflict of Interest)

6) Job Losses in the USA, Wage Stagnation, Loss of benefits, Loss of Pensions, Loss of Retirement Funds, Under Funded Retirement Funds, No Interest or Growth in Retirement Funds or Treasury Bills, Off-Shore Corporation HQs, Off-Shore Production created on Closed US Factories/Manufacturing. (Transfer to Social Safety Net, RICO, Conflict of Interest)

7) The Rise of Corporate Oligopolies across all industries including Media, Insurance, Health Care Insurance, Big Agriculture, Big Grocery Stores, Big TBTF Banks, Big Auto Companies, Big Pharma, etc. (Anti-Trust Act, RICO on Kids by Ritalin, Adderall, Anti-depressants, Conflict of Interest FDA)

8) Letting Private Corporations Run Exchange Markets, Government Running of Stock & Commodities Markets would enforce sanity, end high speed trading, end computer trading, end naked short selling, and probably increase scrutiny of accounts and where the money is coming from. (Running a Racket, RICO Violations, Conflict of Interest Exchange Commissions)

9) Systemic Complexity Increases every year spreading risk and increasing ports where Black Swan Events can occur. Democracy is about transparency, simplicity, knowing that everyone is doing what they are supposed to do like pay taxes, count your vote on election day, discourage control fraud, discourage gift giving, discourage Conflict of Interest, discourage close relationships between government officials and Industry, and encourage Integrity.(Systemic Risk, RICO Violations Government Officials, Conflict of Interest, Influence Peddling to Congress)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racketeer_Influenced_and_Corrupt_Organizations_Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racket_(crime)

A racket is an illegal business or scheme, usually run as part of organized crime. Engaging in a racket is called racketeering.[1]

Traditionally, the word racket is used to describe a business (or syndicate) that is based on the example of the protection racket and indicates a belief that it is engaged in the sale of a solution to a problem that the institution itself creates or perpetuates, with the specific intent to engender continual patronage. One example is computer spyware that pretends to be detecting infections and offers to download a cleaning utility for a fee, being itself distributed by the maker of the cleaning utility.

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2012/07/11-minute-matt-taibbi-video-libor-crime-defrauded-trillions-from-99.html

http://trueslant.com/matttaibbi/2010/03/27/the-catholic-church-is-a-criminal-enterprise/

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/jp-morgan-chase-fine-another-slap-on-the-wrist-for-wall-street-20110708

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/outrageous-hsbc-settlement-proves-the-drug-war-is-a-joke-20121213

http://open.salon.com/blog/timinglogic/2012/06/23/matt_taibbi_-_the_scam_wall_street_learned_from_the_mafia

When you look at it, Main Street is Prosecuted by the Law, but not Congress, Not Corporations, Not the Powerful, and Not the Wealthy

6.18.1962C-7 RICO – “Racketeering Activity” Defined “Racketeering activity,” as defined by the RICO statute [federal law], includes any acts that involve or that may be charged as any of a wide range of crimes under state or federal law.

Criminal Conspiracy as Racketeering Act. In United States v. Irizarry, 341 F.3d 273, 301 (3d Cir. 2003),

Guilt of RICO Offense by Aiding and Abetting. A defendant may be guilty of a substantive RICO offense by aiding and abetting under 18 U.S.C. § 2.

78 Comments

78 Comments


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[-] 4 points by nomdeguerre (1775) from Brooklyn, NY 11 years ago

Can we bring a RICO civil suit against the Federal Government, the Wall St. Bankster syndicate, plus the other above-the-law syndicates for running a massive control fraud scheme through racketeering?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Not if you have no staff at DOJ or FBI or SEC? William K. Black has experience with these things from the S&L Scandal. There is a long process of getting referals from state attorney generals or District Attorneys or whatever insititution was damaged by the Fraud, control Fraud, conspiracy, aiding & abetting, .... so after referals to the FBI Division for finanical crimes ... they have to gather evidence. But since the DOJ & Executive Office put the kabosh on the Investigations ... and made sure there weren't enough agents in the FBI to work the cases ... there is no evidence gathered. The evidence is probably getting destroyed more and more every year.

Other than that... Seems like you have to chose the cases one at a time ... or focus on Banks ... or focus on the Executive Office ... or Focus on Government execitives or ....

A big breaking scandal could change all that. Like Hank Paulson heading up the US Treeasury ... and giving himself a big Loan in the Financial Bail out. What! It happened and no one cares.... Break that story, break the story of how we paid banks to manage their own bailout. Cash money.

[-] 1 points by nomdeguerre (1775) from Brooklyn, NY 11 years ago

That's why I suggested a civil suit. The bringers of the suit would have to do all the research, find all the evidence -- of course the co-racketeers you mention wouldn't help at all.

Actually the suggestion was half tongue in cheek. However, can the RICO statutes be used civilly or only in criminal cases?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

I'm guessing you don't have to prove RICO to get a good outcome in a civil suit.

1) You prove you have been damaged.
2) You prove responsibility to those named in the suit.
3) Neglect of duties ought to be strong enough a reason to win. But maybe neglect only works if someone dies or has bodily injury.
4) Maybe you don't have to prove conspiracy, just prove the plaintiffs had reason to know better, should have stopped it, willfully turned a blind eye to it, and later pretended it was unpresedented, unpredictable, ... when we know from the Savings & Loan Crisis and the 1000 people convicted... that many people were hurt by fraud & it was totally predictable.

I think I have heard that the federal government allows Stripping to let law suits go forward against officials.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Tort_Claims_Act

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_immunity_in_the_United_States
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_immunity_in_the_United_States#Suits_filed_against_state_officials_under_the_.22stripping_doctrine.22
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker_Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Sovereign_Immunities_Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_immunity_in_the_United_States#Suits_filed_against_state_officials_under_the_.22stripping_doctrine.22


http://defensewiki.ibj.org/index.php/42_U.S.C._%C2%A7_1983#Suits_Against_Federal_Officers

http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/hjackson/FedSovereign_21.pdf
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12 (USC Title 12 Banks & Banking) http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12/34/3301 Chapter 34, section 33 (Creates Financial Institutions Examination Council - to insure vigilant supervison of Financial Institutions)
the Financial Institutions Examination Council which shall consist of -
(1) the Comptroller of the Currency,
(2) the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
(3) a Governor of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated by the Chairman of the Board,
(4) the Director, Office of Thrift Supervision,
(5) the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration Board, and
(6) the Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/15 (USC Title 15 Chapter 41 - consumer credit protection - Commerce & Trade)

[-] 1 points by nomdeguerre (1775) from Brooklyn, NY 11 years ago

Wow, good info. Thanks.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

We can prove Willfull Neglect. That is the thing. Take the Keating Five and all the other congressmen involved in examining the Savings & Loan Crisis around 1990... I think it took a decade to finally prosecute 1000 people invovled. Congress fully knew the risks. So did all the Federal employees in the agencies under the FInancial Institutions Examination Council, FDIC, NCUA, OTS, OCC. The SEC knew all of the Risk.

There were many who "willfully neglected" their Duties, their Oath, and are still willfully neglecting to clean up the mess, remove the systemic risk, and prosecute those responsible at the Top. I'm mostly just repeating words from William K. Black.

Timeline, 1990 prosecutions for S&L Crisis start, 1998 deregulation signed by Clinton, 2000 Dot.com financial crash which lowered Interest Rates, 2001 (9-11) lowered interest rates even further, 2006 system was full of derivitive risk and sub-prime mortgages. Conclusion was prosecutions for S&L Crisis were still going on, fresh in everyones minds, when the seeds of the next crisis were sown. Bankers were lobbying and planning on deregulation while prosecutions were still going on. Everyone was "Willfully Neglecting" to examine banks, to regulate banks, to look at Risk, to do their mandated job and meet the mission and objectives of their organizations.

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

Not much will to go after any corp oligarchs as it is and congress has cut millions from the budget to prosecute those criminals. Money out of politics then maybe something can be pursued. They're all just bought off.

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

But we can use the players against each other. Get the GOP to go after Eric Holder, Tim Giethner, Leon Pannetta, Hillary Clinton, Barak Obama, ...Get Tea Party Congressmen to open investigations against any of the Financial Players,

Robert Mueller (Director FBI, needs to be the Whistleblower)
Mary Schapiro (Chairman SEC)
Charles Christopher Cox (Chairman SEC)
William H. Donaldson (Chairman SEC)
H. David Kotz (IG SEC)
Erik R. Sirri (SEC, Professor Finance, Economist)
Tim Geithner (Secretary of the Treasury)
Ben Bernanke (Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
Alan Greenspan (former Chairman of the Federal Reserve)
Jon Corzine (Goldman Sach executive, MF Global CEO, Politician)
President Barak Obama (willfully ignorant, passive executive)
President George Bush (Responsibility goes to the Top)
President William Clinton (Responsibility goes to the Top)
President George H.W. Bush (Responsibility goes to the Top)
Dick Chaney (did he ever serve the public good)
Lawrence Summers (former Treasury Secretary)
Henry Paulson (Treasury Secretary, Goldman Sachs)
Steven Shafran (Treasury, Goldmans Sachs)
Kendrick R. Wilson III (Treasury, Goldmans Sachs)
Edward C. Forst (Treasury, Goldman Sachs)
Robert K. Steel (Wachovia CEO, Goldman Sachs, US Treasury)
Robert E. Rubin (Secretary Treasury, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup)
David G. Nason (Treasury)
Robert F. Hoyt (Treasury)
Michele Davis (Treasury)
Jennifer Zuccarelli (Treasury)
Stephen Friedman (Federal Reserve NY, Goldman Sachs)
William C. Dudley (Federal Reserve NY, Goldman Sachs)
E. Gerald Corrigan (Federal Reserve NY, Goldman Sachs)
Reuben Jeffrey (Treasury, Goldman Sachs)
Neel T. Kashkari (Treasury, Goldmans Sachs)
*Dan Jester (Treasury, Goldman Sachs)
Phillip Swagel (Treasury Economic Policy)
Michael Bloomberg (Mayor NY, Bloomberg LP)
David K. Wilson (OCC Bank examiner, should have known)
Tim Long (OCC Bank examiner, should have known)
Douglas W. Roeder (OCC, should have known)
John C. Dugan (Comptroller of the Currency)
John D. Hawk (Comptroller of the Currency)
Armando Falcon (OFHEO)
James Lockhart (OFHEO)
Darrel Dochow (West regional director OTS)
John Reich (Director OTS)
Clarence K. Lee (Director OTS)
Shiela C. Blair (FDIC, Should have known)
Martin J. Gruenberg (FDIC, should Have Known)
Sandra Thompson (FDIC, should have known)
Robert W. Mooney (FDIC, should Have Known)
George French (FDIC, should have known)
Mark Pearce (FDIC, should have known)
Christopher J. Spoth (FDIC, should ahve known)
Michael H. Krimminger (FDIC, should have known)
Arthur J. Murton (FDIC, should have known)
John H. Corston (FDIC, should have known)
James R. Wigand (FDIC, Complex Financial Institutions)
Jason C. Cave (FDIC, Complex Financial Institutions)
William C. Dudley, (Federal Reserve NY)
Richard Westerkamp (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond)
Donald Kohn (Vice Chairman Federal Reserve)
Joseph Sommer (Counsel, NY Federal Reserve)
Timmothy P. Clark (Federal Reserve)
Roger T. Cole (Federal Reserve Board)
Steve Manzari (Federal Reserve NY)
Dianne Dobbeck (Federal Reserve NY)
Hayley Boesky (Federal Reserve NY)
Seth B. Carpenter (Federal Reserve Board)
James A. Clouse (Federal Reserve Board)
Charles Thomas (Federal Reserve Board)
Sherry Edwards (Federal Reserve Board)
Patrick M. Parkinson (Board of Govenors Federal Reserve)
Edward J. DeMarco (Federal Housing Finance Agency)
Gary Gensler (Commodity Futures Trading Commisson)
Henry Cisneros (Secretary Housing and Urban Development)
Daniel H. Mudd (CEO of Fannie Mae, charged with Fraud)
Donald J. Bisenius (Freddie Mac)
Richard F. Syron (Freddie Mac)
Alan Cranston (Democrat of California, Keating Five)
Dennis DeConcini (Democrat of Arizona, Keating Five)
John Glenn (Democrat of Ohio, Keating Five)
John McCain (Republican of Arizona, Keating Five)
Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (Keating Five)
Jim Wright (D-TX) (Congressman, Vernon Savings & Loan)
Eric H. Holder, Jr. (US Justice Department)
Lanny A. Breuer (US Justice Department)
Robert Mueller (Director FBI, needs to be the Whistleblower)

see U.S.C Title 12, Chapter 34, Section 33, effective by 1989, a council was formed to keep banking supervison vigilant which puts all the responsibility on all of the Above named Officials

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12/34/3303 (Financial Institutions Examination Council)

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12 U.S.C Tiltle 12 is the federal law on Banks & Banking

http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/15/14A/645 (Making False Statements on Securities)

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

Yeah man, you appear to have left out any current republicans in office (except for McCain) any reason for that? Do you think he is the only republican currently serving that needs to be prosecuted?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

The List was supposed to be Functionals In the Federal Government who are not protected by congress or members of congress. These people had "Direct" Responsibility for the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis.

I'm not sure how to make that clearer. The only reason I put the Keating Five on the List, was they not only 1) Are not Clean 2) Have All Ready be proven to Obfuscate Justice in regards to Banks 3) Should have Know Better since their butts were in a sling ... But also 4) They make a good example of how financial crimes are carried out, how congress learned to never subpeona their major campaign contributors to congress, .. and they illustrate in Bold Letters the Problem of the Current Administration & Congress being in bed, naked with bankers.

Anyway ... it is a long list. Do you think I should Omit the Keating Five????

Regarding ABSCAM Prosecutions from wikipedia conclusions indicate possible FBI Sting, targeting of certain congressmen, and we can guess the FBI might be slanted to the Right Politically and toward Republicans:

"...controversy centered on the use of the "sting" technique and Weinberg's involvement in selecting targets. FBI documents later disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, consisting of newspaper clippings and letters written to the FBI, revealed a mixed response of the American public. Some Americans supported the FBI, but others argued that Abscam was an entrapment scenario ordered by a revenge-minded FBI ..."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abscam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_banking_scandal

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

Keating five & Abscam are decades old. I do think there were many republicans in congress during the 2008 mugging of the american taxpayer by Bush and his 1% bankster base who are still in office and should be included. But thats ok, you have every right to your opinion and if you think McCain is the only republican currently in office responsible then that is what you think. Have at it. Get those Dems!

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

You can put all of congress on the list and take off maybe 5 people that seem to be fighting for the people. Probably there are more than 5 people in congress that are good, I just don't know who they are.

But the list is an opportunity to go after functional people who do the business of the federal government everyday. They are not politicians who babble and suck up for money (don't do jack except spend money). The List I provided is to educate you, enlighten you, give you the chance to pass their names around and look at what their jobs are .... Think about it. You can't indict congressmen because they are immune to all charges. Congress polices themselves. You can't say they commited fraud or took a bribe because you are a nobody. They are the law. They are are their own judge & jury.

But the List I provided is government people that can be charged with a crime or sued in civil court. Anyway looking in Wikipedia there are ways to sue the federal government, and federal employee through stripping doctrine (eventhough the link only speaks to state officials). Congress is pretty much immune.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sovereign_immunity_in_the_United_States#Suits_filed_against_state_officials_under_the_.22stripping_doctrine.22

http://defensewiki.ibj.org/index.php/42_U.S.C._%C2%A7_1983#Suits_Against_Federal_Officers

http://www.law.harvard.edu/faculty/hjackson/FedSovereign_21.pdf


http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12 (USC Title 12 Banks & Banking)
http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/uscode/12/34/3301 Chapter 34, section 33 (Creates Financial Institutions Examination Council - to insure vigilant supervison of Financial Institutions)
the Financial Institutions Examination Council which shall consist of -
(1) the Comptroller of the Currency,
(2) the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
(3) a Governor of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated by the Chairman of the Board,
(4) the Director, Office of Thrift Supervision,
(5) the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration Board, and
(6) the Chairman of the State Liaison Committee.

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

Well you offer many great excuses why you gave every republican currently in congress (except McCain) a pass.

Well argued. I hope you succeed in your efforts to educate people, and go after those responsible.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Grudging thanks in return.

[-] 1 points by imagine40 (383) 11 years ago

LOL.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Excellent Information Post ! Thanx & in compliment :

per ardua ad astra ...

[-] 3 points by OTP (-203) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

Incredible. Freaking. Article.

"Organizers find themselves in something like the role of particle physicists studying the readouts of a cyclotron: Something bright and hot happened in Zuccotti Park for a few months last fall. What was it? What was the magical formula.... Can they replicate it?"

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Thanx. I agree with your assessment and from the article, I further quote the following : "Occupy is a movement that has brought about revolutionary personal growth for thousands through a dialectical process. It crammed the contradictions of our modern hierarchical society - a diverse group of people - into small parks, creating a horizontal "safe space," in which under-represented folks could share their perspective of these hierarchies. It enacted systems of communal facilitation to use the emergent conflict as fuel for the decolonization of each individual's internalized oppressions. Through this process, it produced people who are committed to inter-relating horizontally (and therefore anti-oppressively) - a cultural idea so counter to the logic of capital as to be revolutionary.". Finally, I also append fyi :

fiat lux et fiat justitia ...

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Checking this article again. Zachary Bell is a very sharp writer. This article is full of insights that I am enjoying.

"...Occupy's ... conflict resolution processes seemed to be the most essential characteristics of the movement in terms of what made it transformative..." I also get the what the creation of horizonal spaces or horizonal structures means. We need to reinvigorate democracy in so many ways. I really get ... that there was and is a revolution that has occurred. I get what he says about the power of having this huge diversity all part of the movement ... so that change happens... so that change is un-stoppable.

Suzahn Ebrahimian, "Liberation is facilitated by a fundamental shift in priorities on all levels, towards a collective support and dismantling control and oppression over each other." - I really get that. _ I get that "Safe Spaces" are needed for democracy.

I'm going to stop there for a moment in the reading to reflect on methods that can be used to create change/solutions:

1) Teach Tea Party congressmen how to Investigate Finanical Players of the Financial Crisis (Rape of America) see list of finanical figures within this post above.

2) Occupy Everywhere, think globally, act locally, get to know your community, buy from farmers, don't use big banks,

3) Share info on corruption, educate, talk to people, try to trace corrption to it's source, follow the money, learn about power structures, learn about war, question authority, ask why police, military & prisions are self sustaining: create their own demand for bigger budgets, fiefdoms, & more police powers, How is it democracy to bomb families in Pakistan or other countries?

4) Demand government representatives & media talk about the "untalkable" subjects or you will cut them off.

5) Demand that Justice is followed for insider trading, naked short selling, sub-prime mortgage fraud, bank money laundering, LIBOR Rate rigging, executive bonuses when businesses fail, cancelling pension or retirement funds after LBO, merger, or collaspe of business, ... plus for aiding & abetting, conspiracy under RICO Violations for Public Executives, Obstruction of Justice, Refusal to gather evidence, Staff DOJ, staff FBI, and contact each state prosecutor to gather evidence in the 2007-2009 Financial Crisis.

6) Demand that we break up Cozy reltionships in government with industry & banks, get money out of politics, end the financial conflict of interest, and end other conflicts of interest that create revolving doors & regulator capture, break up the mega corproations from the perspective that they wield too much power over the country, the government budgets, and the world, ... somehow this also has to mean buying less goods from overseas to ... ensure a stable domestic production and workforce. Investigate sweat shops overseas and who is organizing these sweat shops to devise methods to stop the import of goods from sweat shops.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

Re. "Occupy Everyone : Making Revolutionaries, Not a Revolution", by Zachary Bell : http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/14095-occupy-everyone-making-revolutionaries-not-a-revolution, thanx for your gracious reply and very thought provoking comment, further to which, I append on this thread too :

fiat lux ...

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Thanks, I opened it up. Gave me a couple of ideas for a project.

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

"Occupy Wall St - The Revolution Is Love" :

multum in parvo ...

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

This guy is smarter than me... in the Video on youtube. about never having to need gifts or need people, because we can buy what we need. ...Maybe as he points out we are rediscovering the gifts that All Americans have always had ... but we lacked the intimacy to some degree.

Good production, Great Music, I like this guy, Charles Eisenstein. Could be that he exercises and that helps the brain (as I have heard, we should exercise)

Have you ever heard of Leo Buscaglia? http://www.spiritsite.com/writing/leobus/ (He has taught about Love for many years)

Thanks for the Links ... not sure why sacred-economics comes up as having malware right now. Will have to recheck later.

[-] 1 points by shadz66 (19985) 11 years ago

The http://sacred-economics.com/ site has the following video embedded in the site front-end :

It also has his book of the same name embedded & available :

I'm guessing that your anti-virus program is probably picking up on the embedded links but I vouch for this site - it has given me no problems & quiet a bit of joy and food for thought. I had not heard of Prof. Leo Buscalia so thanx for that & solidarity 'Ma'.

pax, amor et lux ...

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 10 years ago

Video on LIBOR Suit & RICO Suit in New York

http://rt.com/shows/keiser-report/episode-427-max-keiser-277/ (8-10 minutes into it ... They state the Judge, Naomi Buckwald, Says No RICO Laws apply to Securities or Banks due to an 1995 Law)

Same Judge Dismissed Anti-Trust Charges against Monsanto according to Stacy Herbert ....(9:30 minutes in)

Halliburton is Exempt from the Clean Water Act according to Stacy Herbert

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995 ... which was written and passed after the S & L (Savings & Loan Scandal) ... to prevent "abusive litigation". Max Keiser & Stacy Herbert did their job here. They are the only ones to publish this info that I have heard.

Banks Score Major Win in Private LIBOR Suits
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/business/article/banks-score-major-win-in-private-libor-suits

Michael Hausfeld, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, noted the judge had granted the parties the ability to amend and re-file their lawsuit.

“We have the decision under evaluation,” he said. “We are considering filing an amended complaint or taking an appeal, but we haven’t decided yet.”

ALLEGED MANIPULATION

The cases are In Re: Libor-Based Financial Instruments Antitrust Litigation, US District Court for the Southern District of New York, No. 11-md-2262. — Reuters

Late Add: Max Keiser interview at 24 minute into it states that a lawsuit proved to a Judge that Silver price was manipulated by JP Morgan, but was dismissed only since the judge did not see the motive.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Monsanto Suppression of News, Information & French People is a RICO Violation, Clcearly. Wikileaks put out cable from US Ambassador that inidcated he wanted sactions against the French for moving against GMO Seeds from Monsanto.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiK_RF3ioRw (Max Keiser, look 3 minutes into it)

Keiser Report: Monsanto and the Seeds of Evil (E109) Uploaded on Jan 4, 2011

Former Monsanto Lawyer Demon, Michael Taylor, is now the US Food Safety Czar under Obama Rats are sterile after 3 generations of GMO Corm or other GMO.

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/safety/story/2012-02-17/Petition-targets-FDAs-deputy-commissioner-for-foods/53134650/1

http://www.fda.gov/food/foodsafety/fsma/ucm319053.htm

Our accomplishments are documented at www.fda.gov/fsma1, and some of our accomplishments in the 19 months since enactment include:

Three final rules published in the Federal Register;
Nine draft and final guidance documents published in the Federal Register with two more in clearance;

Product tracing pilot studies carried out;

In addition, FDA has made very substantial progress on other major FSMA deliverables, including:

Four major framework proposed rules and accompanying regulatory impact analyses under review at the Office of Management and Budget, covering preventive control standards for human and animal food facilities, produce safety standards, and foreign supplier verification requirements for importers;

[-] 1 points by TrevorMnemonic (5827) 11 years ago

in what ways can civil suits be brought up?

Where do we go from here?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Chris Hedges explained his civil suit pretty well in a video. Probably you have to find the right lawyer to being the process. This means you probably have to discuss with 5 Lawyers that say they have experience with federal law suits (at least).

The danger is that you can engage in a 10 year law suit and find out that you didn't sue the right government office or government agency.... that means you end up starting all over the whole process. Wow. So, if you don't have money, you are shut out of the system unless your Lawyer is Pro Bono.

I have tried to write a little about the US Court System being prohibitive to the man on Main Street (check my profile). But I don't ahve any expertise on law or law suits.

If you have been damaged or if your lawyer represents a class of people that has been damaged or hurt, you can seek redress in court.

Your proof has to be specific in showing negligence. Probably you must prove willfull negligence of government officials or criminal activity of banks. Not sure if you can simply prove negligence of banks... The bar should be lower to prove banks are negligent. Civil suits are proven at lower threshold than Crime. The structure & the System of Ratings of Financial Instruments is very open to Lawsuits. The reason is that representations ahve been made. Making false representations or false statements in Financial Products can be easily proven if you have been damaged.

I would think that expense of the law suit is higher than the damage from the LIBOR Scandal. Many people have been damaged, and a class action law suit should easily be proven. Class action law suits are a form of Investor Activism. There was a rise in investor Activsism this last year, but only to change the board of directors or CEO, CFO of a corporation....

William K. Black is a Professor of Law & Economics. He has much exprience. Contact him by email if you are serious. I can find his email if you contact me by private message. He is the hero of the S&L Scandal & the Keating Five.

[-] 1 points by Builder (4202) 11 years ago
[-] 1 points by elf3 (4203) 11 years ago

How do we enforce the law when the enforcers are part of the corrupt system? Citizen's arrest? .

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

We have to pass the word that all of the Aiding & Abetting, Obstruction of Justice, deriliction of Duty, Conspiracy by Public Officials is part of a larger pattern of RICO Violations.

Then We have to Demand Justice. All grassroots efforts payoff eventually as we get better at expanding democracy, broadening democracy, creating spaces for democracy... and get better at putting our Elected Officials on the Spot.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

De Verenigde Staten van Amerika zijn praktisch onbewoonbaar echt wanneer u de kosten van medische behandeling overwegen. Als je ziet hoe rijk geld de regering en de Amerikaanse Mensen leidt, bent u bedwelmd. De pensioenen en vervroegde uittreding zijn in cycli geannuleerd als zakelijke fusies en de zakelijke uitkoop koopt (hoge schulden) optreedt.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

当您考虑医疗保健花费时,美国实际上不是付得起的。当您看见时金钱怎么跑政府和美国工作者,您震惊。退休金*退休在周期被终止当企业合并并且支持

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

米国は、手頃な価格が実際には、医療コストを考慮した場合ではありません。 お金を政府とは、労働者の実行方法を参照してくださいすると、驚いた顔をしている。 *退職年金サイクルでビジネス合併と利用して終了している

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

실제로 미국 저렴한 가격이 의료 비용을 고려해야되지 않았다. 돈을 정부와 미국 근무자 어떻게 실행되는지 확인합니다면 기절. * 파격 연금 주기에 비즈니스 인수·합병 등으로 활용하여 종단되

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Los Estados Unidos son prácticamente no habitables realmente cuando usted considera el coste de asistencia médica. Cuando usted ve como el dinero dirige el gobierno y los Trabajadores estadounidenses, usted es atontado. Las pensiones y los Retiros son terminados en ciclos como fusiones comerciales y las compras comerciales apalancadas (deuda alta) ocurren.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Les États-Unis sont pratiquement non tolérables vraiment quand vous considérez le prix de santé publique. Quand vous voyez comment l'argent dirige le gouvernement et les Ouvriers américains, vous êtes assommés. Les pensions et les Retraites sont terminés dans les cycles comme les fusions d'affaires et ont exercé une influence sur les rachats d'affaires (la haute dette) surviennent.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Die USA sind wirklich praktisch unerträglich, wenn Sie über die Gesundheitsfürsorge-Kosten nachdenken. Wenn Sie sehen, wie Geld die Regierung und die US-Arbeiter führt, werden Sie betäubt. Pensionen und Ruhestand werden in Zyklen als Geschäftsfusionen begrenzt und stärkten Geschäftsfirmenübernahmen (hohe Schuld) finden statt.

[-] 2 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Whats up with the foreign language repeats of the same comment?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

I figure we need new blood in this forum. I'm trying to create a network to Europe and around the world. Maybe just a test. If I can get this USC Title 18, RICO Violations to go Viral... maybe we can put international pressure on the US Government & US Bank & US Ratings Agencies. We'll call it "Operation American Fraud & Corruption".

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Did you contact those foreign occupy sites? Send them a twitter of your comment? or the link to the post?

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

http://www.occupymumbai.co.nr/ Some pictures here that will sober you up. It is not on the Infotent link page though... Looks like no Occupy websites for China, Japan, or Korea.... Or they are all in a language I can't deal with. Hm.. I forgot to look at Occupy Paris.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I like the effort - to network.

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Well, I suppose everyone will feel dumb at some point in putting out new ideas. Ich bin ein dumkopf... Je suis stupide. Yo Soy estúpido.

Certainly, the OWS activists have cited organized crime laws to TPTB for years... take the G8, G20 gatherings. So I'm sure it has been done already.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

To what extent? Really things are talked about that never receive consideration/action. Might make a difference in today's world. Worth a try anyhow.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Hey, I bet many of the Tea party congress members dont know that they can start investigation into the financial fraud... or maybe the dont know how to get over the first hurdles.

I dont follow the news well enough to know. Power structures get set up to put freshmen in their place & teach them to play ball with the GOP. Probably the committees wont let tea partiers even introduce bills ... so if I was a freshman I would spend the whole 2 years trying to break news about the players in fraud.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

If such fresh faces did so - hmmmm - I wonder how many would have awful accidents? Daymn how did you fall down all of those stairs from the top of lady liberty all the way to the bottom?

What's really weird - is - you only seem to have crushed your knee-caps.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

I was thinking MSM would not talk to them about Fraud or Investigations after I pressed send on that. MSM is in collaboration and Collusion in Obfuscating and Covering up the Crimes.

So I freshman had special access as a congressman, what special access would then have?

I know congressmen can

1) Demand information and reports from other government agencies.
2) Ron Paul tried to get info from the Federal Reserve and got the shaft till he did a FOIA Request. Shows how the power game is played and probably could be a case study for how you have to deal with the FED.
3) Not sure if freshman can subpeaona Bankers, and executives from OTS, FDIC, OCC, NUAA, to force them to testify. Does that have to be a committe? Anyway we see the dog and pony show theater of testifying in congress... everyone has alzheimers. The trick is put pressure on people that are testify and keep them off of tranquilizers the morning of testimony. In any case, like the Warren Commision & the 9-11 Commison, congressional committes can just thank everyone for coming and conclude no wrong doing.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Yep - WTF is up with that?

"congressional committes can just thank everyone for coming and conclude no wrong doing."

They are not the court. They are not the judicial system.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Hm...they are part of the judicial system in that they control DOJ to a degree, they write the laws as legislators, they have the power to subpeona all government workers, demand reports, put them to work, influence their careers, maybe get them fired, get them investigated, ... but congress and their investigations can directly start agents working to gather evidence to prosecute. As power players if the federal government under the executive branch doesn't start getting on the job, then they play games with the president, his office, and his legislation.

It is all about power, use of power, power to investigate.

Oh, But you are Right. DOJ is under the Executive Office. But see Obama, Holder, and the FBI do Not Want any Investigation.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Good point collusion cooperation - now - How Do We The People pull the judicial trigger on it?


[-] 1 points by Middleaged (2733) 4 minutes ago

Exactly, that is why it is Aiding & Abetting, Obstruction of Justice, Conspiracy, Deriliction of Duty, and therefore, ergo ...RICO Violations in light of the all the crimes taking place by ogranizations involved in interstate commerce. ↥twinkle ↧stinkle permalink

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Well OWS has some of the smartest guy around. Like Zachary Bell in this article I just started reading. OWS guys can collude with Tea Party Freshmen ... to guide these neophytes ... in how to Investigate either the government or the Bankers.

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/14095-occupy-everyone-making-revolutionaries-not-a-revolution

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

What really sucks - IS - That what they "want" - should not matter. The law is supposed to be the law - separation of 3 branches of government. F'n assholes.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Exactly, that is why it is Aiding & Abetting, Obstruction of Justice, Conspiracy, Deriliction of Duty, and therefore, ergo ...RICO Violations in light of the all the crimes taking place by ogranizations involved in interstate commerce.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Who can force the US to Investigate and Prosecute Fraud?

Partly the answer has to be

1) People with financial Interest,
2) People who may have been hurt by the Big Boys,
3) People who represents a big Interest or constituency,
4) People who Invest in the USA, US Bonds, US Equities, US Derivities
5) People who have pride in the old USA
6) People that would like to see the American Dream Restored
7) People that want US Pensions & Retirements to Endure
8) People that have Retired
9) People that have kids, that taught kids that the USA was good

So, this is what OWS is trying to Organize. How to get all these people to Energize - And how to Focus on players that will actually take the power to begin the Investigations, Form Alliances of Power against the banker conspiracy/corporate conspiracy.

Because it is all about Creating a New Political Alliance. Maybe like forming a new Political Party. It seems the USA is not good at this. Democracy is messy and loud and confusing, but it has to kick off in Congress ... Or in a huge mass movement to put new people in Congress.

So I guess there are probably a lot of groups working on candidates for the next congressional Election... 2014.

But what other Events, Controversies, Scandals, Schisms ... can take place to split up power groups in congress? Other than the Testimony of an underling against other power players. Underlings probably don't get the inside info anyway or they would be full players.

I wonder if any Power Players have documents hidden away some where that detail these relationships, bribes, illegal influences, corruptions. Of course they would not put them in computers hooked on the internet... But you never know. Safe deposit boxes. Private home or office safes. Trusted assistants or secretaries. Spouses. Trusted sons or daughters.

TPTB know the game very well after so many years. But there is always weak links. Maybe that is why the older generations, the true believers..., maybe that is what they hope for. Exposure of a weak link to bring down many.

But the Exposure of one Weak Link is unlikely to actually hurt more than a few power players ...and the game would continue.

But what if we had a Weak Link in AT&T who has access to the phone taps? Naw, would be little evidence and would not even get one conviction.

What if NSA datamined Power Players and blackmailed them to their own purpose? Naw, people roll over, they don't cry foul, we would never know. We can only wonder if the CIA & NSA are integrated into the Banking-Government as full Power Players...

Our Best Bet is to demand full verification of the paper Ballots on Election Day. Try to get our guys on the Ballots. Try to keep them Clean if they get Elected. Try to demand Free & Open debates and full media exposure for Third Party candidates.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

I still think that we could get action going by going after the institutions for not enforcing the law. A peoples Law Action - brought by the people - for the people - and as many people who got screwed by wallstreet crime and the housing BS that want to sign on as complainants - the better. There has got to be an avenue open to pursue this.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Yes, I think it helps to name the people, Public Executives, for each agency and office who are not acting. Responsibility means they have to feel the pain of complaints and democratic non-violent demonstration. We just can't let it go. You are Correct. I'm now thinking about state officials. I was thinking federal officials. They all have names and faces. They work for the public, and they have to Explain why nothing is being done & why they haven't thought of new ways to pursuit prosecution. I did post a list of federal official above. People, protestors, just can't accept the first reply from people in power or in chage of government offices. I'm guessing people at the state level start off pretty clean from the corruption, but will get pulled into the power game if they get political power. So most state people are probably worried and sick about the corruption too.

Robert Mueller, Director FBI, needs to be the Whistleblower.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

Wonder what Avas would think of - about an international action.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Define Urban Avas?

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 11 years ago

My Bad - Avaaz

Avaaz - The World in Action www.avaaz.org/ Avaaz mobilizes instant campaigns to address crises happening anywhere on earth, and to close the gap between the world we have and the world most people ...

[-] 1 points by OTP (-203) from Tampa, FL 11 years ago

REducing magazine clips is going to be the magic pill that solves all the problems, dontcha know?

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Well, does fire arms training make people more safe or more dangerous?

For instance should we outlaw training for, Rifle courses, hand guns courses, and gun safety?

We know that a civilian that goes against a trained army or police officer will get killed. But firearms training also keeps owners safe and promotes good safety in the community.

Late add: of course training will make gun man quicker to change gun magazines. But if you were in the military ... I would say dropping a magazine and sticking in a new one is really quick.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Hello,German language exploration of corruption

Hallo,

rent seeking (economics) , das Mietesuchen
bribe bribery , Bestechungsgeld-Bestechung
bribery case, Bestechungsfall
to accept a bribe bribery, eine Bestechungsgeld-Bestechung zu akzeptieren
bribery to give or accept bribes, Bestechung, um zu geben oder Bestechungsgelder zu akzeptieren
to facilitate by means of bribery, mittels der Bestechung zu erleichtern

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Hello, Spanish Language exploration of Corruption

Hola;

rent seeking (economics) , Alquiler buscando or Búsqueda de rentas or busca de alquiler
bribe bribery , soborno (m) coima (f) (Andes, CSur) mordida (f) (CAm, español de México)
bribery case, caso de soborno or El soborno caso
to accept a bribe bribery, para aceptar un soborno or aceptar un soborno
bribery to give or accept bribes, dar o aceptar sobornos
to facilitate by means of bribery, para facilitar mediante soborno or Para facilitar por medio del soborno

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Hello, Chinese language exploration of corruption

nĭ hăo,

rent seeking (economics) , xún zū or jìng zū
bribe bribery , huì or lù
bribery case, shòu huì àn
to accept a bribe bribery, shòu huì
bribery to give or accept bribes, nà huì
to facilitate by means of bribery, tōng guān jié

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Legislative Crimes under George W. Bush admin (Congress)
Ted Stevens Senator (R-AK) convicted on seven counts of bribery and tax evasion October 27, 2008 just prior to the election. He continued his run for re-election, but lost. Once the Republican was defeated in his re-election, new US Attorney General Eric Holder (D) dismissed the charges "in the interest of justice" stating that the Justice Department had illegally withheld evidence from defense counsel.[94]
Charles Rangel (D-NY) failed to report $75,000 income from the rental of his villa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and was forced to pay $11,000 in back taxes.(September 2008)[95]
Rick Renzi (R-AZ) Announced he would not seek another term. Seven months later, on February 22, 2008 he pleaded not guilty to 35 charges of fraud, conspiracy and money laundering.[96]
Frank Ballance (D-NC) admitted to a federal charge of money laundering and mail fraud in October 2005 and sentenced to 4 years in prison.[97]
Jack Abramoff Scandal, (R) lobbyist found guilty of conspiracy, tax evasion and corruption of public officials in three different courts in a wide ranging investigation. Currently serving 70 months and fined $24.7 million.[98] See Scandals, Executive Branch. The following were also implicated:
1.Tom DeLay (R-TX) The House Majority Leader was reprimanded twice by the House Ethics Committee and his aides indicted (2004–2005); eventually DeLay himself was investigated in October 2005 in connection with the Abramoff scandal, but not indicted. DeLay resigned from the House 9 June 2006.[99] Delay was found to have illegally channeled funds from Americans for a Republican Majority to Republican state legislator campaigns. He was convicted of two counts of money laundering and conspiracy in 2010.[100]
2.Michael Scanlon (R) former staff to Tom DeLay: working for Abramoff, pled guilty to bribery.[51][52]
3.Tony Rudy (R) former staff to Tom DeLay, pleaded guilty to conspiracy.[52]
4.James W. Ellis executive director of Tom DeLay's political action committee, Americans for a Republican Majority (ARMPAC), was indicted by Texas for money laundering.[101]
5.John Colyandro executive director of Tom DeLay's political action committee, Texans for a Republican Majority (TRMPAC), was indicted by Texas for money laundering[101]
6.Bob Ney (R-OH) pleaded guilty to conspiracy and making false statements as a result of his receiving trips from Abramoff in exchange for legislative favors. Ney received 30 months in prison.[52][102]
7.Neil Volz former staff to Robert Ney, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in 2006 charges stemming from his work for Bob Ney. In 2007 he was sentenced to two years probation, 100 hours community service, and a fine of $2,000.[103]
8.William Heaton, former chief of staff for Bob Ney (R), pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge involving a golf trip to Scotland, expensive meals, and tickets to sporting events between 2002 and 2004 as payoffs for helping Abramoff's clients.[104]
9.John Albaugh , former chief of staff to Ernest Istook (R-OK), pled guilty to accepting bribes connected to the Federal Highway Bill. Istook was not charged. (2008)[105]
10.James Hirni, former staff to Tim Hutchinson (R-AR), was charged with wire fraud for giving a staffer for Don Young (R) of Alaska a bribe in exchange for amendments to the Federal Highway Bill. (2008)[106]
11.Kevin A. Ring (R) former staff to John Doolittle (R-CA) was convicted of five charges of corruption.[107][108]
John Doolittle (R-CA) both he and his wife were under investigation (January 2008). Under this cloud, Doolittle decided not to run for re-election in November 2008. The Justice Department announced in June 2010 they had terminated the investigation and found no wrongdoing.[109]
Randy Cunningham (R-CA) pleaded guilty on November 28, 2005 to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion in what came to be called the Cunningham scandal. Sentenced to over eight years.[110]
Kyle Foggo Executive director of the CIA was convicted of honest services fraud in the awarding of a government contract and sentenced to 37 months in the federal prison at Pine Knot, Kentucky. On September 29, 2008, Foggo pleaded guilty to one count of the indictment, admitting that while CIA executive director he acted to steer a CIA contract to the firm of his lifelong friend, Brent R. Wilkes.[63]
Tan Nguyen (R-CA) congressional candidate for the 47th District was convicted of voter intimidation. He lost the election and was sentenced to one year in prison and six months in a halfway house. (2006)[111]
Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) struck a U.S. Capitol Police officer in the chest after he attempted to stop her from going around a security checkpoint. McKinney apologized on the floor of the House and no charges were filed (March 29, 2006)[112]
William J. Jefferson (D-LA) in August 2005 the FBI seized $90,000 in cash from Jefferson's home freezer. He was re-elected anyway, but lost in 2008. Jefferson was convicted of 11 counts of bribery and sentenced to 13 years on November 13, 2009, and his chief of staff Brett Pfeffer was sentenced to 84 months in a related case.[113][114]
Bill Janklow (R-SD) convicted of second-degree manslaughter for running a stop sign and killing a motorcyclist. Resigned from the House and given 100 days in the county jail and three years (2003)[115]
Robert Torricelli Senator (D-NJ) after 14 years in the House and one term in the Senate, Torricelli declined to run again when accused of taking illegal contributions from Korean businessman David Chang. (2002)[116]
Jim Traficant (D-OH) found guilty on 10 felony counts of financial corruption, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison and expelled from the House (2002)[117]

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

More bribery, congressional crime, wow, what a list, especially in the Ronald Reagan years..... You are new to congress if you haven't been investigated. But maybe they stopped doing that since George W. Bush days.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_political_scandals_in_the_United_States#Legislative_Branch_4

Barbara-Rose Collins (D-MI) found to have committed 11 violations of law and house rules stemming from use of campaign funds for personal use.[125]
Wes Cooley (R-OR), Cooley was convicted of having lied on the 1994 voter information pamphlet about his service in the Army. He was fined and sentenced to two years probation (1997)[126]
Austin Murphy (D-PA) convicted of engaging in voter fraud for filling out absentee ballots for members of a nursing home.[127]
Newt Gingrich (R-GA), the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, was accused of financial improprieties concerning a book deal which led to a reprimand by the House and $300,000 in sanctions[128] leading to his eventual resignation from office. (1997)[129]
Walter R. Tucker III (D-CA) resigned from the House before conviction on charges of extortion and income tax fraud while he was Mayor of Compton, California. Sentenced to 27 months in prison.(1996)[130]
Nicholas Mavroules (D-MA) pleaded guilty to bribery charges.[131]
Lawrence J. Smith (D-FL) On August 3, 1993 Congressman Smith pled guilty to one count of tax evasion and one count of filing false campaign reports. He was sentenced to three months in prison.[132]
House banking scandal[133] The House of Representatives Bank found that 450 members had overdrawn their checking accounts, but had not been penalized. Six were convicted of charges, most only tangentially related to the House Bank itself. Twenty two more of the most prolific over-drafters were singled out by the House Ethics Committee. (1992)[134]
1.Buzz Lukens (R-OH) convicted of bribery and conspiracy.[135] 2.Carl C. Perkins (D-KY) pled guilty to a check kiting scheme involving several financial institutions (including the House Bank).[135]
3.Carroll Hubbard (D-KY)convicted of illegally funneling money to his wife's 1992 campaign to succeed him in congress.[136]
4.Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH) was charged with seven felonies, but pleaded guilty only to a misdemeanor campaign finance charge not related to the House Bank.[135]
5.Walter Fauntroy (D-DC) convicted of filing false disclosure forms in order to hide unauthorized income.[135]
6.Jack Russ Sgt. at Arms, convicted of three counts.[135]
Congressional Post Office scandal (1991–1995) A conspiracy to embezzle House Post Office money through stamps and postal vouchers to congressmen.[137]
1.Dan Rostenkowski (D-IL) Rostenkowski was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in prison, in 1995.[138]
2.Joe Kolter (D-PA) Convicted of one count of conspiracy[139] and sentenced to 6 months in prison.[140]
3.Robert V. Rota Postmaster, convicted of one count of conspiracy and two counts of embezzlement.[137]
Jay Kim (R-CA) accepted $250,000 in illegal 1992 campaign contributions and was sentenced to two months house arrest (1992)[141]

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

A bribe can consist of immediate cash or of personal favors, a promise of later payment, or anything else the recipient views as valuable. When the U.S. military threatened to cancel a Texas relocation company's contracts to move families to and from military bases, the company allegedly gave four representatives in Congress an all-expenses-paid weekend in Las Vegas in January 1989, and $2,500 in speaking fees. The former president of the company was indicted by a federal Grand Jury in 1994 on bribery charges for both gifts.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Bribery

Bribery

The offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of something of value for the purpose of influencing the action of an official in the discharge of his or her public or legal duties.

The expectation of a particular voluntary action in return is what makes the difference between a bribe and a private demonstration of goodwill. To offer or provide payment in order to persuade someone with a responsibility to betray that responsibility is known as seeking Undue Influence over that person's actions. When someone with power seeks payment in exchange for certain actions, that person is said to be peddling influence. Regardless of who initiates the deal, either party to an act of bribery can be found guilty of the crime independently of the other.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Undue+Influence

A judicially created defense to transactions that have been imposed upon weak and vulnerable persons that allows the transactions to be set aside.

Virtually any act of persuasion that over-comes the free will and judgment of another, including exhortations, importunings, insinuations, flattery, trickery, and deception, may amount to undue influence. Undue influence differs from duress, which consists of the intentional use of force, or threat of force, to coerce another into a grossly unfair transaction. Blackmail, Extortion, bad faith threats of criminal prosecution, and oppressive Abuse of Process are classic examples of duress.

Bustamante was convicted of accepting bribes and racketeering in 1993 and was sentenced to 42 months in prison.[1]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bustamante

Abscam FBI sting involving fake 'Arabs' trying to bribe 31 congressmen.(1980)[200] The following six Congressmen were convicted:
1.Harrison A. Williams Senator (D-NJ) Convicted on 9 counts of bribery and conspiracy. Sentenced to 3 years in prison.[201]
2.John Jenrette Representative (D-SC) sentenced to two years in prison for bribery and conspiracy.[202]
3.Richard Kelly (R-FL) Accepted $25K and then claimed he was conducting his own investigation into corruption. Served 13 months.[203]
4.Raymond Lederer (D-PA) "I can give you me" he said after accepting $50K. Sentenced to 3 years.[204]
5.Michael Myers (D-PA) Accepted $50K saying, "...money talks and bullshit walks." Sentenced to 3 years and was expelled from the House.[205]
6.Frank Thompson (D-NJ) Sentenced to 3 years.[206]
7.John M. Murphy (D-NY) Served 20 months of a 3-year sentence.[207]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_political_scandals_in_the_United_States#Legislative_Branch_4

Mario Biaggi (D-NY), Convicted of obstruction of justice and accepting illegal gratuities he was sentenced to 2½ years in prison and fined $500K for his role in the Wedtech scandal, see above. Just before expulsion from the House, he resigned. The next year he was convicted of another 15 counts of obstruction and bribery. (1988)[209] Pat Swindall (R-GA) convicted of 6 counts of perjury. (1989)[210][211]
George V. Hansen (R-ID) censured for failing to file out disclosure forms. Spent 15 months in prison.[212]
James Traficant (D-OH), convicted of ten felony counts including bribery, racketeering and tax evasion and sentenced to 8 years in prison. He was expelled from the House July 24, (2002.)[213]
Frederick W. Richmond (D-NY),Convicted of tax evasion and possession of marijuana. Served 9 months(1982)[214] See Federal sex scandals.
Dan Flood (D-PA) censured for bribery. After a trial ended in a deadlocked jury, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a year's probation.[215][216]
Joshua Eilberg (D-PA) pleaded guilty to conflict-of-interest charges. In addition, he convinced president Carter to fire the U.S. Attorney investigating his case.[217]

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Obstruction of justice (Destroying Evidence) in the federal courts is governed by a series of criminal statutes (18 U.S.C.A. §§ 1501–1517), which aim to protect the integrity of federal judicial proceedings as well as agency and congressional proceedings. Section 1503 is the primary vehicle for punishing those who obstruct or who endeavor to obstruct federal judicial proceedings.

http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Obstruction+of+Justice

The integrity of the judicial system depends on the participants' acting honestly and without fear of reprisals. Threatening a judge, trying to bribe a witness, or encouraging the destruction of evidence are examples of obstruction of justice. Federal and state laws make it a crime to obstruct justice.

Financial Crisis 2008 and the Subprime Mortgage Crisis 2007 should have been pursuited as Control Fraud. We now have a Crimogenic Business and Finanical environment. There was plenty of Evidence to be gathered. The DOJ swept it all under the rug. Is this Racketeering as conspiracies have accompanied the Fraud.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Influence peddling is the illegal practice of using one's influence in government or connections with persons in authority to obtain favors or preferential treatment for another, usually in return for payment. Also called traffic of influence or trading in influence . In fact, influence peddling is not necessarily illegal as OECD has often used the term "undue influence peddling" to refer to illegal acts of lobbying. [1] However, influence peddling bears the stench of corruption that may de-legitimize democratic politics with the general public.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influence_peddling
Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich was accused of influence peddling

Texas Law, TITLE 8. BRIBERY AND CORRUPT INFLUENCE

Sec. 36.04. IMPROPER INFLUENCE. (a) A person commits an offense if he privately addresses a representation, entreaty, argument, or other communication to any public servant who exercises or will exercise official discretion in an adjudicatory proceeding with an intent to influence the outcome of the proceeding on the basis of considerations other than those authorized by law.

Here is a better list of illegal activities in federal Racketeering from http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Racketeering

Racketeering activity under federal law includes a number of criminal offenses, including: Bribery; sports bribery; counterfeiting; felony theft from interstate shipment; Embezzlement from Pension and Welfare funds; extortionate credit transactions; Fraud relating to identification documents; fraud relating to access devices; transmission of gambling information; Mail Fraud; wire fraud; financial institution fraud; citizenship or naturalization fraud; obscene matter; Obstruction of Justice; obstruction of criminal investigation; obstruction of state or local law enforcement; witness tampering; retaliation against witness; interference with commerce, bribery, or extortion; interstate transportation in aid of racketeering; interstate transportation of wagering paraphernalia; unlawful welfare fund payments; prohibition of illegal gambling business; Money Laundering; monetary transactions in property derived from unlawful activities; murder for hire; sexual exploitation of children; interstate transportation of stolen motor vehicles; interstate transportation of stolen property; sale of stolen goods; trafficking in motor vehicles and parts; trafficking in contraband cigarettes; white slave traffic; restrictions of payments and loans to labor organizations; embezzlement from union funds; Bankruptcy fraud; fraud in the sale of Securities; felonious manufacture, importation, receiving, concealment, buying, selling, or otherwise dealing in narcotic or other dangerous drugs; and any act that is indictable under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act.

[-] 2 points by childseyes (85) 11 years ago

Seems pretty clear law enforcement often ignore white collar crime. The courts also ignore "Obstruction of Justice; obstruction of criminal investigation; obstruction of state or local law enforcement;". In fact they do it themselves.

Wee need to invoke a lot more authority than has ever happened before. We need a lot more unity than we ever needed before. Seems corporations and gov are lulling the unsuspecting into thinking things are okay by pretending they are and all of the criminal neglect or malfeasance, treason of the last 10 years is normal.

[-] 2 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Thanks, glad you are here. Please talk about this with others. I'm not connected to anyone in the OWS movement. But the Angst seems to be bubbling up this week. I see the way the government works this week. I see the drive behind the military. It is all about the money. The people that ask for money, then create the crisis that polititians use to increase funding in 2013.

I can't even tell you all the crap I have seen or that I know. You can excuse freshman congressmen in the first 1-2 years, but they are all in on the corruption after that. Land mines in Laos, Land Mines in Cambodia, Land mines in Vietnam,... tells you the ethics. look at the extermination of Hmung or mountain people in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia...those mountain people helped the US military in the war.

[-] 2 points by childseyes (85) 11 years ago

Behaviors like insects warring on one another. Creepy. People need to forget their differences and focus on what they share.

Freedom and rights in support of survival, evolution is a dream Americans properly live for. We share our constitution.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Yesh, I was just looking at some history on the oldest laws. Looks like laws were written in stone 5000 years ago to help people get along together. You would think Lawyers and Leglistlators would know this better than the rest of us. The have to uphold the law, get money out of government, break up big corporations, protect pensions and retirements by law when a company is bought, merged, or taken in LBO, and they have to support the workers by limiting global trade, goods made by slave labor, and use a tariff to limit the goods coming in to the USA.

Take care of the work force is a must if you are a US Leader.

[-] 1 points by childseyes (85) 11 years ago

Good perspective here-

"You would think Lawyers and Leglistlators would know this better than the rest of us."

Actually there are people that have noticed that the entire authoritative group that deals with behaviors; judges, attorneys, psychologists and legislators, refuse to acknowledge that the unconscious human mind is what controls it for the most part. Meaning they can never adequately adjust their roles for true function. They are always evading to serve elite uses of the unconscious, secrecy.

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Yes, the conspiracy across our culture & politics is we get "education lite". Like our media publishes anything called a study and calls it news to unconcously influence the population. Or like the fake studies held up by congress or their fake commissions, like the Warren Commission or 9-11 Commission. Hit the news channel you get a 20 second sound bite that is supposed to illuminate what the government or banking process is, the latest policy, or current issue ... it can't be done in a 30 second or 60 second Talking point.

So unconsciously we are told all issue are simple. All issues are Black or White, RIght or Wrong, no details are needed, keep moving on ...

[Removed]

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, also known as RICO. Under this statute, it is a federal crime for any person who is employed by or associated with an enterprise that is engaged in or affects interstate or foreign commerce, to conduct or to participate in the conduct of the affairs of that enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.

http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/criminaljury/dec09/Chap%206%20RICO.pdf

1) The existence of an enterprise;
2) That the enterprise was engaged in or its activities affected interstate or foreign commerce;
3) That (name) was employed by or associated with that enterprise;
4) That (name) knowingly conducted that enterprise’s affairs or that (name) knowingly participated, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of that enterprise’s affairs;
5) That (name) knowingly (conducted) (participated, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of) that enterprise’s affairs through (a pattern of racketeering activity) (the collection of an unlawful debt), as alleged in the indictment.

Doesn't sound like Lobbying, Bribery, Offering Promotion, Career, or Higher Salary, Influence of Government Employees or Officials yet ......

The other two subsections of 18 U.S.C. §1962 provide in pertinent part: (This is Federal Law)

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person [1] through a pattern of racketeering activity or through collection of an unlawful debt [2] to acquire or maintain, directly or indirectly, any interest in or control of [3] any enterprise which is engaged in, or the activities of which affect, interstate or foreign commerce.

Affecting Interstate commerce through Racketeering Activity

Guilt of RICO Offense by Aiding and Abetting. A defendant may be guilty of a substantive RICO offense by aiding and abetting under 18 U.S.C. § 2.

Statutory Definition. 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1) defines “racketeering activity” by setting forth a wide range of predicate criminal acts under state and federal law. 18 U.S.C. §1961 (1)(A) includes “any act or threat involving a variety of crimes “chargeable under State law and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year.” 18 U.S.C. §1961(1)(B) includes “any act which is indictable under any of” a number of provisions of Title 18 of the United States Code. 18 U.S.C. § 1961(1)(C) - (G) include within the meaning of “racketeering activity” “any act which is indictable under” specified provisions of Titles 11 and 29 of the United States Code, and under the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and 18 U.S.C. § 2332(g)(5)(B) (relating to terrorism).

Criminal Conspiracy as Racketeering Act. In United States v. Irizarry, 341 F.3d 273, 301 (3d Cir. 2003),

6.18.1962C-7 RICO – “Racketeering Activity” Defined “Racketeering activity,” as defined by the RICO statute [federal law], includes any acts that involve or that may be charged as any of a wide range of crimes under state or federal law.

Hm...like LIBOR Fraud, Accounting Control Fraud, Commiting Fraud against the federal government for defense contracts, mortgage fraud, repackaging sub-prime mortgages into AAA Rated Derivatives, .... that would be enough there ...but how about influencing government regulators or officials by hiring them & giving them higher salaries, Regulation Capture, pattern of disregard for SEC rules, banking regulations, money laundering schemes, reporting irregularities, tax evasion, keeping money off shore to avoid reporting it as revenue, failing to report revenue .......

[-] 1 points by Middleaged (5140) 11 years ago

Origins, Antitrust law originated in reaction to a public outcry over trusts, corporate monopolies that dominated U.S. manufacturing and mining. Trusts took their name from the quite legal device of business incorporation called trusteeship, which consolidated control of industries by transferring stock in exchange for trust certificates.

http://iris.nyit.edu/~shartman/mba0101/trust.htm

Oil and steel, the backbone of the nation's heavy industries, lay in the hands of the corporate giants John D. Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan.

1) restraint of free trade
2) naked Restraint - general restraint of competition
3) ancillary restraint - Time & Geography
4) economic philosophy of laissez-faire
5) rival businesses formed cartels to fix prices and control output
6) stop other merchants from entering the market 7) view that - cartels are thoroughly bad 8) Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890 outlawed trusts altogether
9) that restrained interstate or foreign trade or formation of Monopolies
10) intended courts to play the leading role in promoting competition and attacking monopolization
11) Teddy Roosevelt, Trustbuster, would lead from Executive Office
12) Clayton Act 1914 - four practices illegal
13) price discrimination, tying and exclusive-dealing contracts, corporate mergers, interlocking directorates---boards of competing companies, with common members
14) Clayton Act exempted unions from the scope of antitrust law
15) Federal Trade Commission Act 1914, FTC is to interpret and Enforce Anti-Trust Law

Enforcement of antitrust law depends largely on two agencies, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which may issue cease and desist orders to violators, and the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, which can litigate. Private parties may also bring civil suits.