Shelley won't quit except for new job, legal immunity, pals say

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 1/30/5 | Phillip Matier & Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

After a week of playing Hamlet to a rising chorus of calls that he resign, Secretary of State Kevin Shelley is telling confidants that he's staying put -- and that he won't even consider stepping down unless two major conditions are met:

-- That he be freed from all state and federal legal liabilities.

-- That he have a "safe place to land" -- i.e., a job.

"Would he like those conditions to happen? Yes. Would it be possible for them to happen? I don't know,'' said one confidant who asked not to be named because of the touchy nature of Shelley's dilemma.

"This is not a rich guy,'' the confidant said. "He has a wife who used to be a schoolteacher and two kids. He lives in the house that his father (former San Francisco Mayor Jack Shelley) owned.

"He doesn't have the deep pockets to pay for both a long legal battle and support his family.''

As secretary of state, Shelley makes $131,250 a year.

Shelley is under investigation for possible misuse of federal voter education funds, his alleged mistreatment of his staff and his office's alleged fudging of civil service test scores to promote a political supporter's son.

But there has yet to be a formal charge leveled against Shelley or anyone else. It could be months before all the various investigations run their course -- and next year is the last of Shelley's term.

Impeachment is always a possibility. But again, that's not likely to happen overnight.

Many thought Shelley would step down rather than face the prospect of perhaps taking the equivalent of the Fifth Amendment in front of TV cameras

[SmithL]

Holding out for immunity in exchange for stepping down.

[SmithL]

ShmelleyGate Ping

[Texas_Jarhead]

So corruption doesn't count for politicians? Is that it?

[ambrose]

Shelley isn't going anywhere. If he leaves, Ahnold gets to appoint his replacement, will have a big leg up on running in 2006. The Dems don't want that to happen.

[Hank Rearden]

Here's an alternative proposal: have this sleaze kicked in the head by some street bum until he passes out.

Then fire his ass and prosecute.

[DoughtyOne]

I hear there's an opening at Vacaville in the prison janatorial servcies. Once he serves his term, he'll get immunity from being prosecuted for the same crime. It's a win win.

[janetgreen]

So corruption doesn't count for politicians? Is that it?

Yep, you hit the nail right on the head. Of course there was Jim Traficant, who knew too much and wouldn't keep his mouth shut...

[heleny]

he won't even consider stepping down unless two major conditions are met:
-- That he be freed from all state and federal legal liabilities.
-- That he have a "safe place to land" -- i.e., a job.

Does that mean he's inviting a recall, impeachment, or indictment? Recall is expensive, and the Democrats in the legislature wouldn't impeach one of their own, so it looks like only criminal charges and arrest can stop him before his term ends.

[Lancey Howard]

So corruption doesn't count for politicians? Is that it?

Well, it doesn't count for Democrats. As has been amply demonstrated, the scumbags have no shame. None. Frankly, I don't even see why Shelley is concerned. Shelley is a scumbag and the California legislature is overwhelmingly controlled by the scumbags. So it doesn't much matter what the Republicans want.

[L.N. Smithee]

Impeachment is always a possibility. But again, that's not likely to happen overnight.

Hey, it's still January. We got all year. Let's go for it.

[L.N. Smithee]

"He doesn't have the deep pockets to pay for both a long legal battle and support his family."

Don't do the crime if you can't pay the dime.

As secretary of state, Shelley makes $131,250 a year.

Cry me a freaking river. He only makes more than four times what I do.

[L.N. Smithee]

-- That he have a "safe place to land" -- i.e., a job.

Howzabout making license plates?

[ApplegateRanch]

The only safe landing he should get is under the trap door if the rope around his neck breaks.

Immunity & a new job for political hacks; jail & toss the key if these same hacks catch anyone else doing what they themselves are guilty of doing.

Time to end the double standard.

In any state where initiatives are legal, let the people decide whether breach of the public trust merits an enhanced penalty than the same crime comitted by a private citizen, and no immunities.

[pillbox_girl]

If we wants legal immunity, then he's as much admitting to have committed criminal acts. Can someone explain to me why Shmelly isn't going before a Grand Jury as the next step in prosecuting this guy? Why should it matter if he steps down or not? Why do I keep hearing about recalls and impeachments? Surely this guy is on the fast track to arrest, trial, conviction, and incarceration.

Oh. What a minute. I forgot. We're talking about the Glorious Workers Paradise of Kalifornistan. Never mind.

[goldstategop]

After all, he's a Rat. And his fellow Democrats see him as an albatross around their party's neck. They're willing to finally cut him loose.

Denny Crane: "I want two things. First God and then Fox News."

[gunnedah]

Sad to say but this is how government works everywhere in America. If you are elected you only answer to the voters next election and you sure can steal and do loads of damage in between.
Elected officials and other government agencies have no supervision or accountability and there is not a damn thing the public can do about it.
When is the last time you heard of a lawyer being sued?Lawyers and politicians are alike they give themselves immunity and cover for each other why prosecuting the average Joe for the least little thing!

[DH]

"Vacaville in the prison janatorial servcies"

It's even a better "win-win" situation. He will finally learn an actual trade and finally become a productive member of society. I think all career politicians should learn some type of useful trade and quit being parasites upon the taxpayer.

[DoughtyOne]

I hear you, and can't disagree.

[NormsRevenge]

Shelley isn't going anywhere. If he leaves, Ahnold gets to appoint his replacement, will have a big leg up on running in 2006. The Dems don't want that to happen.

---

The dems are the victims of their own arrogance and corrupt practices.

I can't wait until they get the PeRATa hearings underway. ;-)