But a criminal defense lawyer wouldn't usually be the one to hire for that...
Yeah, but a big name lawyer from the state the kid lives in now, would be the one to hire. And Steve Jones likes money as well as any other shark, er, lawyer. I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Jones didn't contact the kid first himself, smelling a bunch of $ in the offing.
First, you've got to follow the money. How did 21 year old Edmunds get to become the Deputy Campaign Manager (Finance Director!) for Istook's gubernatorial campaign?
Then you've got to look at the players. Istook owes Foley. Foley was on the hook for IM's to Edmunds.
Now Edmunds hires a criminal **defense** attorney, not a trial lawyer.
Put 1+2+3 together and you arrive at: Edmunds blackmailed Foley to get Istook's Deputy Campaign Director job.
Edmunds is a major political activist. He's no babe in the woods.
Kirk Fordham, U.S., Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-NY
Personal: Born April 4, 1967, in Rochester, N.Y., single, no children
Education: University of Maryland, College Park, B.A. Government and Politics, 1989
Career: Legislative assistant and legislative director, U.S. Rep. Jim Inhofe, R-OK (1989-91)
PAC director and legislative analyst, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (1991-92)
Deputy chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Jim Inhofe (1992-94)
Campaign manager, Mark Foley for Congress (March 1994-December 1994)
Chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-FL (1995-2004)
Finance director, Mel Martinez for U.S. Senate (January 2004-January 2005)
National Field Director, DCI Group, Public Affairs (2005)
Chief of staff, Rep. Tom Reynolds, Chairman, National Republican Congressional Committee (2005-present)
http://www.cantorforcongress.com/news/2006/june/chiefs_of_staff.htm
This Fordham guy is up to his ears in this scandal, and I think its part of the link on how this Edmonds guy was working on the OK. Gov. campaign.