Torricelli Donor Refutes Senator's Claims

FOX ^ | 7/29/02

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

As senators reviewing ethics questions involving Sen. Robert Torricelli near a crucial decision, a lawyer for his imprisoned accuser says the New Jersey Democrat never reimbursed the convicted businessman for gifts.

"Never happened. It's fanciful thinking on [Torricelli's] part," Bradley Simon, the lawyer for David Chang, said Monday.

[jackbill]

Torricelli's statement about reimbursing Chang for some items was first reported Monday by the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call.

Of course, Torricelli can prove that he reimbursed Chang, can't he? Cancelled checks?

Wanna bet that the "ethics" committee just takes the Torch's word and pulls out the bucket of whitewash. Nothing to see here, just move along.

[Ole Okie]

Looks like the Senate dims, aided and abetted by Notta Lott, have declared the Torch Innocent, Innocent, Innocent.

I mean, after all: Who could possibly think anything bad about Torch? Why, he once squired Bianca Jagger around town. He and dim Sin Chris Dodd, according to accounts.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Pay to the order of David Chang
For: reimbursement of illegal gifts

[blackdog]

Torch is using the "We sent the money back" defense. Well, he knew that the Clinton/Rodham bunch used that excuse, never actually did send the money back(nobody ever asked for evidence that they did), and they avoided the law. Why won't it work for Torch? Well, since we all have discovered how much people make up accounting records to their benefit, finally people are demanding proof to support words.

Maybe a bonus with this inquiry will be asking for the "proof" that the Clintons and Rodhams have returned all that cash they "claimed" to have returned.

[catpuppy]

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said Friday that "it doesn't look good" that the committee might not call any other witnesses, "but I just don't know the details."

Well Senator Lott, that is the problem. You and others who should be minding the store refuse to "know the details" and thus you let slide the corruption that passes for representation these days. Your Senate has become a club where collegiality is more important than doing the right thing.

[tall_tex]

Help me out here. Chang is in jail for making illegal contributions to Senator Tort.. and he, the Senator, says he has done nothing wrong and says there were no legal or illegal gifts. How can Chang be guilty and the Senator be innocent? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Reaganwuzthebest]

The Republicans have never learned how to play hardball when it comes to these type scandals. If the roles were reversed, demoncrats would be demanding Torricelli's resignation, and the Republicans, not wanting to look corrupt would oblige. Of course, there is the media factor which would have already run Torricelli out of town if he were a Republican.

[PISANO]

Chang, a New Jersey businessman now in prison for making illegal campaign donations to Torricelli, says he gave the lawmaker cash and gifts in exchange for the senator's help in business dealings overseas.

Can someone explain how Chang can get jail time for something that the Torch says NEVER happpened? Is there a distinction between illegal campaign contributions and GIFTS? Aren't they one in the same? Doesn't make sense to me, but then the NJ Senator is after all a gimmiecrap so it just stands to reason he will skate.

[catpuppy]

Republicans have never learned how to play hardball when it comes to these type scandals.

Agree in part. Some Republicans do know how to play hardball. Congressmen Barr and Delay are examples. Unfortunately, such skills do not extend to Republicans in the United States Senate who seem to enjoy being punching bags for their Democrat colleagues.

[Alberta's Child]

In a legal sense, the two things can be completely disconnected because the legal proceedings are separate. A person can be convicted of being part of a conspiracy to commit fraud even if his "co-conspirators" are cleared of all charges. It sounds odd, but that's how it works.

If I understand the facts of this case correctly, Chang was not found guilty of committing these crimes -- he pleaded guilty.

[Cable225]

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said Friday that "it doesn't look good" that the committee might not call any other witnesses, "but I just don't know the details."

Whoa! Easy there, big fella. Somebody hold Trent back! He sounds all KINDA worked up!

He's an animal I tell ya, an animal!

[blackdog]

LOL! Remember that awful movie called "X-Men", where Ben Stiller's charicter is called "Captain Furious"? He is the leader of these loonies who have convinced themselves that they have super powers. Captain Furious destroys his enemy in a huricane of fury when provoked, only that never happens. He just keeps getting beat up! I think Lott is who they loosely based the charicter on.

[Neets]

If there were NO gifts, legal or illegal..why is he paying this guy back in the first place?

[Cable225]

That was Mystery Men, the superhero team with no actual powers. I thought Ben Stiller was pretty funny in that, especially the scene in the tunnel where "Mr. Furious" tries to beat up Casanova Frankenstein's car.

And yes, Trent could be a member of that team. His superhero name could be "The Intimidator".

[Wphile]

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott... "but I just don't know the details."

Sheesh...Lott is so frickin' pathetic. Why the heck to you get paid the dollars you do if you don't know the details? Criminy, if the GOP takes back the Senate and allows Lott to be majority leader again, it will be all for not. Get LOTT OUTTA THERE!!

[rabbitdog]

I was just thinking the same thing when reading this article. How can someone be in jail for making illegal donations without someone accepting illegal donations? Answer is that Torricelli is above the law and contributors must suffer the consequences for their actions.

[Wphile]

How can Chang be guilty and the Senator be innocent?

Doesn't quite make sense, does it? Torricelli should be toast but my bet is he will walk, without any censure or reprimand from the "Senate Ethics Committee".

Senate Ethics...heh, there's an oxymoron if there ever was one. And, by golly, they want to hold CEOs accountable! I hate the senate.

[Jonathon Spectre]

Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott said Friday that "it doesn't look good" that the committee might not call any other witnesses, "but I just don't know the details."

F**k Trent Lott. How can a human being so spineless still be able to walk? I despise him more than even most Democrats.

[Politico2]

Vote on what punishment, if any, Senator Torricelli should receive at PoliticsNJ .

Right now, expulsion is leading the pack, but this could change. It seems they are trying to dilute the opinions on punishment.