----- Original Message ----- From: "Theresa Carr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'Mpls list'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 9:12 PM Subject: Re: [Mpls] Biernat Trial
> And please identify yourself as Selwin Ortega's legal > counsel, Mr. Kushner. > > Theresa Carr > Phillips What relevance does that have to my personal commentary, Ms. Carr? [This borders on personal atttack]. I don't know how long you have been on this list, but the archives will reflect that I have had my own opinions for quite some time. Should I have to identify all my clients who have anything to do with the City of Minneapolis in order to express my own opinions? [and breach their confidentiality] Or do I just need to identify people who have legal and personal disputes with Ms. Carr, and Ms. Carr has complained about publicly? Perhaps you should identify yourself as such when posting [and Brauer writes in response to a small part of my post] > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "'Mpls list'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 6:32 PM > Subject: [Mpls] Biernat Trial > > > Based on press reports about Joe Biernat's trial, it appears that the > > > federal government's case against him is based almost entirely on his > > signed > > > confessions. There does not seem to be a question that he got free > > plumbing > > > work through a union official, and then supported that official's > > > appointment to a board. This much raises serious ethical questions > > but > > > would not serve as the basis for a federal extortion case - it is more > > > accurately categorized as "politics as usual" in traditional > > Minneapolis > > > local government. > > > > Please cite other cases of elected officials getting $4000 or more of > > goods illegally. We all know about Brian Herron, but two cases hardly > > makes "politics as usual." The Herron and Biernat cases are outrageous > > and depressing, but it would compound the sin if those not guilty were > > made so by association. > > > > David Brauer > > King Field > > No one else has yet been caught taking illegal bribes. My reference was to the large scheme in the city government in past years that was filled with special favors. The known "bribes" did appear to be limited to campaign contributions by people associated with business interests getting multi-million dollar subsidies from the City (and a good PR job for a former city official who negotiated the $60 million Target subsidy). (See my previous commentary in response to the Brian Herron corruption scandal - http://www.mnforum.org/pipermail/mpls/2001-July/004163.html ) The main issue of this instant post was to question the reliability of confessions. Jordan Kushner Golden Valley _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
