Posted on 02/16/2005 5:40:10 PM PST by wagglebee
Five Democratic campaign staffers who allegedly slashed the tires of 25 Republican get-out-the-vote vans on Election Day in Milwaukee will stand trial on felony charges.
The defendants, who include the sons of a congresswoman and former acting mayor, face a maximum three and a half years in prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted of vandalism.
The vans were rented by the GOP to drive voters to the polls.
On Election Day, the five left Milwaukee just after 3 a.m. and returned shortly thereafter, according to the pretrial testimony of two Democratic presidential campaign workers, Levar Stoney and Opel Simmons.
Simmons said the five "seemed to be excited, excitable, kind of gleeful, laughing and kind of joking," according to the Associated Press.
Two of the defendants, Michael Pratt, son of former acting Milwaukee Mayor Marvin Pratt, and Sowande Omokunde, son of Wisconsin Rep. Gwen Moore, talked about the vandalism, according to Stoney.
But Stoney and Simmons were included in an alleged plan to plaster the Republican office with Kerry Edwards signs and bumper stickers, according to defense attorneys.
Meanwhile, a former Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee staffer, Roger Chiang, pleaded guilty yesterday to mail fraud in the theft of $360,000 in donor checks.
The committee is the main fund-raising arm for Senate Democrats.
Most of the money was recovered before the November elections, but about 10,000 still is missing, the AP reported.
Mail fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
2 Prominent Milwaukee Leaders' Sons Charged With Election Day Tire Slashing
Snippet:
Republican Party of Wisconsin Chairman Rick Graber issued a statement following the charges that called the tire slashings "political sabotage."
"This is a case that should outrage citizens of all political stripes. It is extremely troubling to see the depths to which the Democrat Party will sink to disrupt the political process through criminal means -- all in an effort to prop up the Democrats' flailing candidates and floundering agenda. This was not merely a case of hooligans committing an act of vandalism. This was a deliberate attack on our electoral system," Graber said.
Michael Pratt
Sowande Omokunde
BTTT
it's a start.
I can only hope a roll-up commences.
Of course they condone such actions,...its "fighting the Good Fight",a badge of courage
Bull.
that's 'RaggOt'!! ;) LOL!
This story is getting absolutely zero coverage in the Peoples Republic of Madison just 70 miles down the road.
Bull.
Agreed. Like Corporate America, money and/or "community service" is a joke to these people. Spending time with "Big Eddie" or "Big Rosie" in a tiny cell block would have a most salutory effect.
Sadly, I expect a wrist-slapping.
Bust their asses with a huge fine, then lock their smart asses up for the maximum....
These bastards attempted to "disenfranchise" voters that needed a ride to the polls....
DISENFRANCHISED!!!!!! The Horror!!
It should be noted that the man who owned the rental agency from which these vans were contracted is a personal friend and he informs me that the Wisconsin Republican Party has very graciously compensated him for his financial loss. Kudos to Chairman Graber.
It would be nice to see "The Great Solar Allah" do some time in a nice dark cell.
"..don't send them to jail. Make'em pay a juicy fine."
Disagreement here. Juicy fine AND jail time, then probation til after the next Presidential election. Of course, this is going to be tried in Wisconsin, so they'll probably just get 5 hours of community service, maybe cutting the local Dim party's lawn.
. . .Howard should be screaming by now. . .but I don't hear him or. . 'it'.
Wouldn't it be rich if they all lost their franchise because of a felony conviction?
Wanna bet they get probation?
Those tires definitely had civil rights written all over them. This should not be taken lightly. They should get 10 years. My bet is they will get probation.
Hey, you said that first! (see posts 37 and 38)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.