Posted on 12/09/2005 8:07:28 AM PST by syriacus
When he pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and circumventing state election laws in October, Chuck Chvala acknowledged he was giving up his right to a trial, although he told the judge he really wanted one.
Just how badly the former Democratic Senate majority leader wanted to fight the charges filed against him three years ago was starkly evident in pre-sentencing papers filed Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court.
Alternately combative and grudgingly contrite, Chvala admitted little more than giving legislative staffers the "impression" it was OK to work on campaigns on state time and taking the "risk" that secretly controlling a phony independent campaign committee might be found illegal.
He blasted as "totally false" the much more serious extortion charges that were dismissed Oct. 25, along with several others, as part of a plea deal. Chvala insisted any discussions with lobbyists about campaign donations were held outside the Capitol and never mentioned pending legislation.
Chvala, a lawyer whose political career is in tatters and who said he has suffered a "financial disaster" defending himself, asked Judge David Flanagan to show leniency when he's sentenced Thursday.
"For a public figure, a career and the respect of the public are vital," Chvala wrote. "The risk of losing one's career and public esteem is a major deterrent. When that loss is coupled with two felonies, no further deterrent is necessary."
Prosecutors are asking for two years of probation, including no more than six months in jail with work-release privileges, and a $5,500 fine.
Both Sides Gear Up for Chvala Trial (D, WI) 10/16/05 on FR
Details Of [19] Charges Filed Against Chvala (Former Democrat Senate Majority Leader, Wisconsin 10/25/2005 on FR
This is like buying an option. I would like the chance to win in court, but I am afraid I would lose...
You can't send me to jail, I'm a politician.....
From http://www.channel3000.com/news/5476713/detail.html
A sentencing memo from Assistant District Attorney Kurt Benkley to a Dane County judge said that Chvala was "like a Mafia don," insulating himself by directing his criminal activities through his chief of staff.
Benkley said that prosecutors want to put more than $448,000 that Chvala raised illegally into Wisconsin's school fund.
In October, Chvala pleaded guilty to two felonies for having an employee campaign on state time and for illegally funneling cash to a fellow Democrat's election fund.
Seventeen other charges were dropped in exchange for the guilty pleas.
He has a way with words, doesn't he? With that gift of gab, I'm sure he'll find "gainful" employment somewhere else.
Jay Heck, executive director of the government watchdog group Common Cause of Wisconsin, said the Chvala charges were the most serious against any state official in memory. While "pay to play" charges of general pressure by lawmakers on special interests to donate to campaigns had been expected, the extortion allegations against Chvala are far more serious, Heck said.[snip]Added Mike McCabe, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign: "This clearly is the widest and deepest political scandal in anyone's memory in Wisconsin."
Three counts of extortion.If convicted, Chvala could face up to 85 years in prison and $200,000 in fines.
Seven counts of misconduct in public office.
Five counts of filing false reports with the state Elections Board
One count of making an illegal campaign contribution.
Three counts of making political contributions exceeding the legal limits.
One count of conspiring to make campaign contributions exceeding the legal limits.
When he was leader of Democrats in the state Senate, Chuck Chvala was known for bare-knuckles politics that often left his rivals bruised and bloodied.
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