Free Republic

SAN DIEGO - The Justice Department said Monday that it will appeal a federal judge's ruling that overturned a jury conviction of a former City Council member accused of taking money from a strip club owner in exchange for political favors. U.S. Attorney Carol Lam poured significant resources into winning a conviction against Michael Zucchet in July 2005, forcing the councilman to resign and relinquish his position as interim mayor. Four months later, U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Miller acquitted Zucchet, saying the evidence against him on charges of fraud and extortion was insufficient. "Because it is rare for a...

.."But 2002 was a bad year for Reid's protégés. Besides Erin, he had endorsed Dario Herrera, warning the world to watch out for the next Democratic king in Nevada, only to see him lose in his third congressional district race against Republican Jon Porter. And Erin lost in her race against Lorraine Hunt for lieutenant governor, Reid's old office. Think that stopped Erin from moving on, energetic and ambitious? Hell no, it didn't. In her last months as county commissioner, Erin, promoting herself no doubt for potential employers in the business sector, introduced many items on the commission's agenda that...