Posted on 07/22/2005 7:42:52 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO - A state grand jury is investigating the activities of a fundraiser for former Secretary of State Kevin Shelley and is expected to hand down an indictment within a week, it was disclosed in court Thursday.
During a procedural hearing on a criminal complaint filed in April against Julie Lee by the San Francisco District Attorney's and the state attorney general's offices, Steven Gruel, Lee's defense lawyer, said a grand jury had been convened.
Assistant District Attorney Davina Pujari indirectly confirmed that, telling Superior Court Judge Perker Meeks Jr. that whatever action the grand jury takes could be dealt with at another hearing next Friday. Gruel suggested the development shows that prosecutors' case against Lee is weak and prosecutors are engaged in "strategic backpedaling."
Lee, once an influential fundraiser, community activist and government official in San Francisco, faces eight felony counts of grand theft, forgery and embezzlement, and two misdemeanor charges of violating state campaign contribution laws. She has pleaded not guilty.
As a result of her actions, prosecutors allege, state grant funds and proceeds from two real estate transactions wound up in Shelley's campaign treasury. Shelley, a San Francisco Democrat, resigned in February after an avalanche of accusations that he accepted the tainted campaign contributions, mismanaged his office, verbally abused employees and misused federal funds. He has not been charged.
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But a grand jury indictment would supercede the criminal complaint filed in April and would eliminate the need for a preliminary hearing. Grand juries almost always hear evidence only from prosecutors. Lee could testify, but her attorney would not be allowed in the room, and Gruel said she will not speak to the panel.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
They got two in San Diego last week on the city council.
Now we just have to go after them all.
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