Subject: Racketeering Suit Against The Bush Administration

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/mailbag/393


Subject: Racketeering Suit Against The Bush Administration

I have been an attorney for 28 years and have been involved in Criminal and Civil Racketeering cases. It would seem that given the disinclination of the Congress to either stop the war or impeach Bush and Cheney, and given the panoply of criminal acts committed by the Administration and its conspirators, the suit would be appropriate. However, it would need to be done with the maximum amount of public exposure and presumably would be more efficacious if influential citizens were involved.

No one knows who I am, but there are still, I hope, high profile attorneys who might give the effort more public credibility. I urge you to consider helping to organize such an effort or at least use your forum to generate a public discussion about this opportunity.

I emphasize the fact that CIVIL RICO provides for any and all necessary injunctive relief. The triple damages allowed for under the statute are probably uncollectible in full, but it would be nice to see some of the rich ol' boys scurrying for bankruptcy protection.

I will give any time and effort to such a cause, but more attorneys would be needed. Just think of the questions that could be asked of some of the parties and adverse witnesses, as well as the documents that could be ordered to be produced.

Finding the right jurisdiction would be the key, and could set up an interesting confrontation between the Judicial and Executive branches and might even be a little goose to the Congress. I will also be happy to write at length about this.

Robert B. Ramsey
St. Louis, Missouri
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yes, indeed

I expect not one second of coverage of Paris Hilton.

not right :D

If our elected officials refuse to do their jobs, perhaps the American people should use whatever legal recourse we have available to us to put a stop to it.

I think it's disgraceful what has been going on in America under the Bush Administration. Not only is it criminal, it's insulting. It will impact every American, except the very wealthy and the big corporations.

has been floated here by myself and others, but hasn't really gotten any traction. Frankly, the Republican party looks like a criminal conpiracy to many of us. But, as you suggest, the legal profession needs to be involved. If attorneys won't stand up for the Constitution, what recourse is there for the rest of us, short of taking it to the streets?

Gonzo is still head of Justice Dept, Libby won't do a day in Jail, Congress can't even get Gonzo fired, We can't even get the second half of the Intelligence Report investigation, Bush has lied his ass of, Rove laughs every time an investigation starts,,, and your seriously thinking RICO??? get real, and stop hallucinating..

Qui tam filers is out there right now. The media is ignoring this already. But one more log on the fire won't hurt.

is it in form of a class action by the citizens who would sign on? Can this get expedited status? It may take forever, with all the stalling tactics they can use...

recommended

that this administration should be prosecuted under racketeering laws. Unfortunately, I have no legal background so never knew that if this was possible.

Would this be prosecuted like a class action suit, with multiple plaintiffs? If so, sign me up as a plaintiff!

it would takes years and hundreds of millions of dollars to get anyone convicted. my opinion is to never let this happen again. this happened because to many people decided to do nothing. it`s not about political parties it`s about total one party rule. if one wants to see what the democrats can do to unopposed,come to illinois. one party rule is a joke in this state, a big joke at the expense of the citizens.

that can be done to show the criminal activities of this administration....

and thank you for your efforts.

in greater detail. Exactly what acts does he suggest should form the basis of a civil RICO claim. Its important because there are statute of limitations and governmental immunity issues that would need to be overcome to bring a non-frivolous action of this kind.

how they planned to disenfranchise the voters. And, beyond that, Abramoff would be a GREAT witness!!!

:kick:

I would like to hear more about the mechanics of a civil RICO suit. Is this something that anyone can prosecute? Also, I remember something about qi tam (sp?), where the sovereign can step in on these types of cases, however I'm not a litigator. Given the governmental immunity issues, perhaps the initial targets could be the no-bid contractors and such? I think this is an interesting idea, and one I could support. More info would be helpful, though.

http://www.taf.org/top20.htm

it looks like states (CA) have False Claims Acts too.

:shrug:

Besides, what do you classify as "frivolous"? Moreover, what does the justice system classify as "frivolous"?

:rofl:

I think the RW shills have scared everyone to death with this "frivolous lawsuit" thing. In the interest of so-called "tort reform" (and it's nothing of the kind) they talk about supposed millions of frivolous lawsuits that are being filed.

I am not a lawyer, but from what I understand, frivolous lawsuits are not that common. First of all, when you file your complaint, you need to make sure it's supported by the facts you seek to prove, that is the elements of the crime, and you make sure there is a remedy in law for whatever harm you allege.

Also, I think it's under Rule 11 (Civil) that an attorney can be sanctioned for even filing a so-called frivolous claim. And the sanctions are severe.

In this particular case, frivolity would never be an issue, given the blatant crimes this administration has committed.

I'm surprised someone hasn't explained about frivolous suits to those tort-reform liars before now.

I'd have to do so from home, being in financial circumstances prohibiting costly travel. But, hell yes I'd help!!! I FIRMLY BELIEVE RICO is applicable to this administration!!!

Moreover, civil RICO is better than no RICO (although I'd naturally prefer criminal charges)!!! Hit these amoral con-men where it hurts them the most: the pocket!!!

I'll have to research and think about the jurisdiction aspect because I believe Mr Ramsey is absolutely correct about the impact. It would have to have both maximum public exposure YET have a justice committed to justice.

I'd sure be willing to help in any way I could (research etc.)

I'm sure there are people all over this country who would be willing to do the grunt work on something like this. Why is there so much inertia?

And you can at least depose the fuckers under oath. Let's see what happens with the Plame-Wilson suit against Darth Cheney.

Start the fund -- with a responsible, public figure as Director.

The rest should take care of itself.

(Yes, really.)

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ideas.

nt

Greg Palast has said it - RICO

And I said it within ninety days of the 2004 stolen election as the theft of that election was a well coordinated and synchronized election theft done with sleight of hand and computer bytes doing the quick paced switcheroo