bribery
The U.S. should end legacy college admissions
Who will benefit from the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down race as a factor in college admissions? Mostly, just wealthy white people. That’s because the ruling refused to touch so-called “legacy admissions.” Colleges are free to continue giving preferential treatment to the children of alumni, donors, and other well-connected, privileged people. Former president George W. Bush is a […]
U.S. Supreme Court justices take lavish gifts — then raise the bar for bribery prosecutions
Justice Clarence Thomas might be the most egregious when it comes to taking gifts and not disclosing them, but he’s not alone. His colleagues on the U.S. Supreme Court also haven’t been shy about taking fancy freebies from rich people — many of whom have an interest in the actions of the court. The justices […]
GOP boss’s bribery-related conviction draws only a slap on the wrist
When former North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black was convicted of taking money from a special interest group in exchange for legislative favors in 2007, prosecutors threw the book at him. Despite having taken what, in the big picture of modern politics, amounts to relatively modest amounts of money and ultimately having cooperated with prosecutors, […]
Today’s non-coronavirus must read: The sordid corruption revolving around Greg Lindberg
If you get a chance today, be sure to check out WRAL.com reporter Travis Fain’s in-depth story on the revelations that have been coming to light in and around the bribery trial and conviction of North Carolina insurance magnate Greg Lindberg. Here are a few excerpts from “‘Tip of an iceberg’: Evidence in NC bribery […]
Today’s must read: More details emerge on the Forest-Lindberg connection
If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out the WRAL.com news story by state government reporters Travis Fain and Tyler Dukes about the information that’s come to light in the Greg Lindberg bribery scandal. As you’ll recall, Lindberg and his employee John Gray are accused of attempting to bribe state Insurance Commissioner […]
Abuse of power, bribery, obstruction: Democrats’ impeachment plan takes shape
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats are laying the framework for articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. As the House Judiciary Committee held its first official impeachment hearing on Wednesday, Democrats signaled that they intend to accuse Trump of abuse of power, bribery, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice. The lawyer for Judiciary Committee […]
Back in their districts, here’s how Democrats are talking about impeachment
U.S. House Democrats are spending the Thanksgiving recess hammering President Donald Trump for allegedly soliciting foreign interference in U.S. elections as they prepare for another round of impeachment hearings when they return to Capitol Hill. “The president used his office to pressure a foreign government to interfere in our elections,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted […]
Investigation: Greg Lindberg paid for spying, compilation of dossiers on women in whom he was interested
The news surrounding Greg Lindberg – the businessman who donated millions of dollars to North Carolina politicians (including, most notably, Lt. Gov. Dan Forest) and who is accused by federal prosecutors of attempting to bribe state insurance regulators – just keeps getting more disturbing. Today, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that Lindberg “paid for […]
Campaign watchdog: Here are the details of Greg Lindberg’s political spending spree on Dan Forest and others
Veteran North Carolina campaign watchdog Bob Hall has prepared an analysis of the campaign contributions made by recently indicted businessman Greg Lindberg and his associates. In the email accompanying his memo, Hall calls on all groups and individuals who have received Lindberg cash to “send amounts equal to Lindberg’s donations to the State Board of […]
Daily Beast politics writer lampoons NC Ethics Commission’s approval of lawmaker-lobbyist sex
The national embarrassments just keep on a comin’ for North Carolina. Political writer Olivia Nuzzi of the national website The Daily Beast is the latest to make light of how far things have sunk in the Old North State with this column entitled: “North Carolina Lobbyists Can Officially Screw Politicians Legally.” As Nuzzi explains: Yes, […]
A reminder of who the special interests are and what they’re after
The phenomenon of big special interests literally buying public officials via the obscene spectacle of modern elections has become so ingrained in our culture these days that nearly everyone has become numbed by and immune to the whole thing. It’s gotten to the point that when a political operative goes on TV to brag about […]
Thursday lunch links: Top political corruption lists and Bob Marley’s advice (Video)
Former Charlotte Mayor Patrick Cannon’s arrest on bribery charges yesterday is, of course, just the latest in a long line such events in modern American (and North Carolina) history. Indeed, political corruption arrests and prosecutions are such a part of our story that one can easily spend the day perusing lists of political crooks that […]