Posted on 09/12/2009 1:09:59 PM PDT by Behind Liberal Lines
James O'Keefe's foray into filmmaking may cost him a few years in the slammer.
O'Keefe and fellow conservative activist/budding investigative journalist Hannah Giles were the ones who dressed up like a pimp and a prostitute, respectively (or not), and went to the offices of the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now (ACORN) in D.C. and Baltimore looking for advice on how to buy a house.
The resulting video caused quite a commotion and resulted in the firing of four ACORN employees, as well as other repercussions for those who support the organization.
In Maryland, it's against the law to tape a person without their prior permission. It's also illegal to "willfully use or willfully disclose the content of said audio," Baltimore City State Attorney Patricia Jessamy said in a statement released late Friday.
She added: "The penalty for the unlawful interception, disclosure or use of it is a felony punishable up to five years."
The Baltimore City State Attorney's Office is investigating the matter.
Agree.
Whatever it takes to take down these scumbags.
They are literally ruining a great nation.
When I first saw this story break I knew they would do this.
He was protected by the first amendment because he was going after ACORN and not the employees, regardless if they were fired. This was political speech IMHO.
Google search results:
“The chief state prosecutor of Maryland decided today to drop criminal wiretap charges against Linda R. Tripp, the Pentagon employee whose secretly recorded conversations with Monica S. Lewinsky exposed an affair that led to President Clinton’s impeachment.
The prosecutor, Stephen F. Montanarelli, said it would be impossible to successfully pursue a trial,...”
from: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/25/us/maryland-is-dropping-wiretap-case-against-tripp.html
If he does intend to prosecute them then the intentional message being sent by the administration is video journalists conducting legitimate investigations must cease all activity.......
They are trying to squash freedom of the press......
This is far more reaching, telling and chilling than it first appears on the surface......
What about those staffers in the A/V room at the Calif legislative building this past week? The media got a release of audio from an open mike after a session where a Republican representative talked about his wife cheating activities.
When it’s an R that get caught with their pants down we must tell the world, but when its a D we must punish the whistle-blowers and ignore the content.
Business as usual in this current corrupt political world.
American heroes protecting us from domestic enemies.
Where do I send my COntribuition to their legal defense fund. They likely have saved the country billions, its the least I can do.
Nancy Pelosi is also from Baltimore...
bttt
I thought it was only illegal for law enforcement.
What if you have a secret babysitter cam?
What if you have a camera on your home to catch burglars?
Whenever a law was inconvenient, Teddy Kennedy would change it.
I say this is an inconvenient law and it should be changed too.
Like a dirty diaper.
To me these laws assume the assumption of privacy, in a public building and setting there is no assumption of privacy.
In the state of MD they passed this crazy law.
I videotaped the crack dealer up the street threatening me years ago. The police advised me that it could be used against me.
MD has some really fascist laws. Thank the ACLU and the liberal democrats who control the MD statehouse in Annapolis. I am not advocating any violence against the democrats who passed the law.
The problem is if Hollywood make the movie they were make the ACORN “claim the child sex slaves as dependents” look good...
As long as there is no sound, it is legal.
Yeah-—Hollyweirdos are looking for reasons to neutralize their favorite sport-—child sex.
It’s just wrong to come up with a law that facilitates criminal behavior. Note that the same state or the federal government can and does videotape you constantly. Even still photography documents what you do, as in the vehicle observation points at street intersections. If you are guilty of a crime, then aren’t they?
If you were video taping the guy in question, in his home, I would see a problem with that. If he’s out on the street and perpetrating criminal behavior, he’s the criminal, not you.
The officers were probably trying to do you a favor. They may have also been upset with you ‘trying to be a detective’ for them, or in place of them. If so, they were a contributing factor to crime.
The backlash will be amazing, powerful, and critically damaging to democrats.
Federal law is that only ONE party has to consent to the taping.
Most state laws are that way as well.
Louisiana’s was made that way as the result of a case.
state Atty is investigating the matter, I hope that matter is the corrupt ACORN and not the recording of their illegal matters
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