Posted on 05/18/2013 6:34:58 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
The shoe drops. This mug shot of Democratic state Treasurer Martha Shoffner appeared on the Pulaski County sheriff's office jail intake page late this afternoon. (She looked a little distracted when I saw her looking over the cottage cheese in a case at Kroger's earlier this week.) Sorry: I originally called her auditor incorrectly. I have many calls out for more information.
Shoffner has been under scrutiny for a variety of issues including charges of favoritism in handling of state investments with a securities firm and also in sloppy reporting and spending of state campaign finance money. She's been subject, too, of a tough legislative audit and Republicans have been calling for her to resign.
UPDATE: I"ve heard from Kimberly Brunell, agent in charge of the Little Rock office of the FBI. She's circumspect:
I can tell you that FBI agents today arrested Martha Shoffner on Hobbs Act charges.
Brunell said there'd be more information at a news conference Monday, probably following Shoffner's appearance in a U.S. magistrate's court. She'll remain jailed until then.
I tried to press Brunell, but she said she couldn't provide details. She did say, in response to my question of whether campaign finance or official conduct figured in the charges, that I should look to the portion of the Hobbs Act that refers to "extortion under color of official rights." Said Brunell: "That was the part she was charged under." Then she said no more.
Here's what you need to know about the Hobbs Act. Excerpt:
In order to show a violation of the Hobbs Act under this provision, the Supreme Court recently held that "the Government need only show that a public official has obtained a payment to which he was not entitled, knowing that the payment was made in return for official acts."
I guess you could still argue, knowing nothing of the facts underlying this arrest, that this still could pertain to campaign contributions in return for official acts, as well as payments of some sort for investment decisions. Monday should be interesting.
Republicans are popping champagne corks. Justifiably,
You don’t mean another corrupt representative of the Democratic [sic] party, do you? Those mean Republicans never share the glory! No fair!
ARKANSAS for those that not knowing the state.
How did Holder let this slip by? He’s got some splainin’ to do.
It is all Rush Limbaugh’s fault donchano.
The source is the Arkansas Times.
Controversy
In the summer of 2010, Shoffner came under much controversy when she said she would refuse to keep a log of her mileage in her state owned vehicle, saying “If I wanted to keep a log, I’d drive a truck.” At the time there was much scrutiny over the personal use of state owned vehicles, Shoffner admitted to using her vehicle for personal use. During this time frame, Shoffner was also criticized for calling the Arkansas State Trooper assigned as protective detail of Governor Mike Beebe as a “manservant”.
After being re-elected, Treasurer Shoffner came under fire for letting go of long time state employee and Chief Deputy State Treasuer Karla Sheppard. Shoffner cited that she was attempting to take the office in a different direction.
In November of 2011 it was revealed by journalist Michael Wickline that Shoffner had used state funds to do fundraising out of state. It was revealed that Treasurer Shoffner stayed an extra night at the conclusion of a New York City National Association of State Treasurers Conference to raise money with a New York City Law Firm that does business with the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, a board in which the Treasurer serves. It was revealed that the Treasurer had also received one check for $10,000, eight thousand over the legal limit in Arkansas. The Treasurer attempted to conceal this by listing multiple names on her required campaign finance reports.
This is a real surprise. I didn’t think any laws applied to the DemocRATS and were only out there to be used against Republicans, TEA Party members, Christians, taxpayers and conservatives. You know, Americans.
Who's next?
Nancy Pelosi wannabe
Used to be called just ‘doing business’, greasing palms, exchanging envelopes.. now.. for those who choose to ride the wild pony for free,, be aware, it kicks.
Several of the 22 transactions were made by one broker, Steele Stephens. Shoffner told the legislative panel in December that she and Stephens’ father, Steve Stephens of Newport, also her home town, have been friends for years. She previously told the committee that she did not know Steele Stephens was his son until after she and Steele Stephens met at the state Capitol to discuss state investment opportunities.
In response to questions during the committee meeting, Shoffner said she never received any personal financial benefits from Russellville-based St. Bernard or any of the other firms. She did say Steve Stephens has donated to her campaign and helped organize a campaign fundraising event on her behalf.
WHAT..IM SHOCKED..SHOCKED I TELL YA/sarc
A Democrat...committing fraud..you don’t say LOL
And she looks like your typical Communist thug too..perhaps a position in the IRS is in her future
She looks like some sort of zombie in that mug shot.
Whether or not she is eligible to run the IRS has yet to be
determined. However, it is clear that she is well qualified
to serve in the newly created capacity of Congressional
Democratic Liason to the Internal Revenue Service (CDLIRS)
She is known as a primadona. In fact, when she ran for reelection last time, her opponent aired “Queen Martha” commercials with a throne and everything. She had her own souvenir coins made with her face on one side and handed them out to visitors to her office.
Thanks DeaconBenjamin.
[snip] In order to show a violation of the Hobbs Act under this provision, the Supreme Court recently held that “the Government need only show that a public official has obtained a payment to which he was not entitled, knowing that the payment was made in return for official acts.” [/snip]
Obama heading to Peninsula homes of two major tech stars on June 6 fundraising swing
SFGate.com | 5/18/13 | Carla Marinucci
Posted on 05/18/2013 7:28:07 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3021204/posts
Hmmm...wondering if Bill paid Monica for "official acts"?
What is it about these Crats that have them involved in so much corruption? They are the cesspool of government.
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