So ruled a federal judge today, via CNN: Judge rules Capitol Hill raid was legal
Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan said members of Congress are not above the law. He rejected requests from lawmakers and Democratic Rep. William Jefferson to return material seized by the FBI in a May 20-21 search of Jefferson’s office.In a 28-page opinion, Hogan dismissed arguments that the first-ever raid on a congressman’s office violated the Constitution’s protections against intimidation of elected officials.
Such has been my position all along: the nature of the evidence in this case, along with the ignored subpoena made it clear to me that the raid presented no constitutional problems:
Jefferson’s theory of legislative privilege “would have the effect of converting every congressional office into a taxpayer-subsidized sanctuary for crime,” the judge said.
Yup.
Of course, since this is the judge who signed off on the search warrant, his ruling is hardly a surprise. No doubt, there will be an appeal. I think Jefferson’s chances of winning such an appeal are pretty slim, however.
July 10th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
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