Biernat enters federal prison camp in Duluth
Published June 3, 2003
Former Minneapolis City Council Member Joe Biernat has begun serving a 21-month
sentence on public corruption charges at the federal prison camp in Duluth.
He reported to the camp after a federal appeals court Frida
Biernat appeal on delay of prison term denied
Published May 31, 2003
A bid by former Minneapolis City
Council Member Joe Biernat to stay
out of prison has been rejected by
the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals.
Biernat's request was rejected Friday
in a brief order. He asked the Ap
> Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 20:28:11 -0800 (PST)
> To: Andy Driscoll <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: Re: [Mpls] Biernat - Another Viewpoint
>
> Is this response a DFL variation on the 60's
> republican response "America love it or leave it"?
Is this response a DFL variation on the 60's
republican response"America love it or leave it"? I
was born and spent 35years in the Phillips
neighborhood and live now in Edina because, I found a
fixer upper with taxes 2/3's of my old Mpls. taxes.
When I lived in Phillips, from childhood on ,I was
cr
Then I would urge naysayers to elect new ones. But it would be wise that one
move into the city where one wishes to dislodge the DFL. You can hardly do
so from an Edina residence.
We live in a democracy, do we not?
Move in and run, disgruntled ones. Move in and complain. Move in and
un-elect them
litical journalism
> in America has its roots in the clubby/cocktail
> personal relationships that
> inevitably develop between politicians and
> journalists. When professional
> antagonists become after-hours drinking buddies,
> they are not likely to turn
> each other in."
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail
1973
Andy
> From: "Fran Guminga" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Sun, 24 Nov 2002 17:06:40 -0600
> To: "Mpls Issues" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [Mpls] Biernat conviction
>
> Some people are downplaying th
Some people are downplaying the fact that Joe Biernat confessed to
perverting his public trust, no matter how venal the amount or the
circumstances. Some are praising the man for being "kind" and
"compassionate." He has been described as "hard working." He was praised for
"his" Kondirator fight.
J
Sorry, I was mixing up my months in my earlier message. The
corrected version appears below. Thanks to David Brauer for catching the
mistakes.
BRM
-Original Message-
From: Melendez, Brian
Sent: Saturday, November 23, 2002 1:56 PM
To: 'David Brauer'; 'Mpls list&
David Brauer asks, "1. The general election needs to be within 75
days - looks like Feb. 3 is 72 days away from 11/21, and a Monday. Why not
make it a Tuesday, the traditional day of the week for election day? 2.
(This might answer #1). What's the window for primaries? Was there
any way to
My word, scions and scionesses of Minneapolis political dynasties.
They seem to be in these days.
Andy
> From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2002 09:50:11 -0600
> To: "'Mpls list'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subjec
02 11:14:16 EST
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [Mpls] Biernat - Another Viewpoint
>
> Please don't flood the list with replies to this, because it's a different
> viewpoint that I feel compelled to present.
>
> I worked with Joe Biernat for a little over fiv
On Sat, Nov 23, 2002 at 09:59:10AM -0600, Michael Atherton wrote:
> I am fearful that this is because his
> behavior simply reflects business as usual in city
> hall (another reason the DFL should have forced him
> to resign earlier).
It helps to have the courage of your convictions, especially
wh
Please don't flood the list with replies to this, because it's a different viewpoint that I feel compelled to present.
I worked with Joe Biernat for a little over five years. I did not know Joe prior to joining the crew on the third floor of City Hall. I'm not a member of the political party to
Tamir Nolley wrote:
> Ironically, I see Joe Biernat as a victim of such
> enforcement. In some ways he contributed to that
> environment, but the tacticts of Sean Boylan, and
> Ashcroft's justice department in general, I think, are
> disgusting, at one point even threateing to harass
> Biernat's
Strib reports the following possible candidates:
Valdis Rozentals (will run)
Kari Dziedzic (across the street from pre-redistricted ward, whose
boundaries govern this election, but in the new ward. Will decide this
weekend.)
Diane Hofstede (mulling it over)
Michael Rainville (unavailable for comme
I've been trying to follow this thread, but I haven't
been able to get the list by e-mail. Dave, if you
could help me with that, I'd be most appreciative.
Anyways, I profoundly disagreed with many of Joe
Biernat's votes, attitudes, and once had a rather
sharp exchange with him over his actions co
Biernat
resigns from City Council Hours after a jury convicted him of
five felony counts, Minneapolis City Council member Joe Biernat resigned,
Council President Paul Ostrow said this morning. Ostrow also said a
primary election on Dec.
"City officials would not speculate on whether Biernat's conviction
would automatically force him to quit the council."
_
City Officials may not be speculating, and in fact I'm not speculating
either. It is quite clear to me that Biernat should do what is right and get
the hell ou
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3449467.html
David Brauer
List manager
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http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3447992.html
"City officials would not speculate on whether Biernat's conviction
would automatically force him to quit the council."
Rosalind Nelson
Bancroft
___
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Eva
Young
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 11:43 AM
To: Garwood, Robin; 'Mpls list'
Subject: Ethics at City Hall - An Oxymoron? WAS: [Mpls] Biernat Trial
Robin Garwood wrote: Are thinly-veile
At 10:09 AM 11/21/2002 -0600, Garwood, Robin wrote:
I think it would elevate this debate slightly if we could get away from a
narrow focus on "criminal misconduct". In my opinion, "not criminal" is far
too low a standard to which to hold our elected officials.
EY: Exactly. I think it also woul
I think it would elevate this debate slightly if we could get away from a
narrow focus on "criminal misconduct". In my opinion, "not criminal" is far
too low a standard to which to hold our elected officials.
I've heard that the measure used by the Supreme Court to decide cases
dealing with campa
Jordan wrote:
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
c
- 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 pl
And please identify yourself as Selwin Ortega's legal counsel, Mr. Kushner.
Theresa Carr
Phillips
- Original Message -
From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "'Mpls list'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 20, 2002 6:32 PM
-BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-
Hash: SHA1
On Wednesday 20 November 2002 20:34, Michael Atherton wrote:
> Jordan Kushner wrote:
> > From my limited observation of Biernat, I could easily see him
> > making a false confession. What always struck me (before the
> > indictment) was Joe's unyi
Jordan Kushner wrote:
> From my limited observation of Biernat, I could easily see him making a
> false confession. What always struck me (before the indictment) was Joe's
> unyielding reverence to power and authority. This "strength" in the
> Minneapolis DFL machine turned out to be his fat
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/4566951.htm
http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3444957.html
David Brauer
List manager
___
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy
Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subs
Jordan writes:
> 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 t
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
appointme
I must admit I never thought this case would go to trial. Here is the link:
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/4449598.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Bill Dooley
Kenny
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Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Demo
Biernat again seeks to dismiss indictments
Rochelle Olson
Published Oct. 26, 2002
Minneapolis City Council Member Joe Biernat
is again seeking to dismiss some of the
federal charges against him, this time
partly on the grounds of vindictive
prosecution.
A pretrial hearing is scheduled
Victoria Heller wrote:
> It's a symptom though of a much bigger problem: The epidemic of justifying
> horrible conduct by CREATING excuses.
We can blame the public for their willingness to accept such excuses.
Kudos to Paul Zerby for being the one and only councilmember to have the
courage to
PROTECTED]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 17, 2002 8:33 AM
Subject: [Mpls] Biernat: He was scared and his tummy hurt
> Is this what we call leadership? This sounds like something a five year
old
> girl would say.
>
> It's a symptom though of a much bigger problem: The epidemic of
ju
This is the problem with having a council member still in office while
under indictment. He has a right to defend himself, even if it's by
making himself look clueless and stupid.
What does it say about his effectiveness as an elected official, though,
that he is fighting to have his cluelessn
On Tuesday, September 17, 2002, at 08:33 AM, Victoria Heller wrote:
> Is this what we call leadership? This sounds like something a five
> year old
> girl would say.
>
> It's a symptom though of a much bigger problem: The epidemic of
> justifying
> horrible conduct by CREATING excuses.
>
> I
Is this what we call leadership? This sounds like something a five year old
girl would say.
It's a symptom though of a much bigger problem: The epidemic of justifying
horrible conduct by CREATING excuses.
In the private sector, one gets paid for producing results, not for coming
up with 20 rea
List,
Earlier on this list I wrote that I felt CM Beirnet had a moral
responsibility to resign if he knew he had violated the public trust.
Clearly there is an increasing amount of evidence that he has violated
the public trust. Independent of the legal process of what is
admissible, and whose l
>CM Beirnet's inability to do the honorable thing and resign, and the
>lack of pressure from other council members and the mayor will force an
>unfortunate and costly situation where all council members will have to
>run for election in new wards next year. One of the negative
>consequences of thi
You raise some good points, although hoping for Biernat's moral fiber to
reawaken rather assumes that he has some. I suspect most of his fiber these
days comes in a cereal box.
JHarmon
Cleveland
_
Send and receive Ho
Jude Poseley wrote:
> If nothing else, the Biernat indictments prove that
> Minneapolis government is pretty clean. After all, the
> DA has spent almost a year and gazillion hours of staff
> time and netted a $2700 alleged plumbing bill and a false
> invoice sent through the mail. Few of us could
Eddie Felien ought'a know.
It was his dirty deal with Herron back at the 1991 endorsing convention
that put Brian Herron into office.
Tim Bonham, Standish Ericsson, Ward 12
>Herron was a classier dirty politician than some others. Ed Felien wrote a
>piece last summer "Herron Takes a Dive," tha
Someone asked "where's the beef?" and others think, hey, no
biggie, didn't involve too much money here in alleged fraud,
theft, etc. Others have suggested that, since there has been
no conviction or admission of guilt, what's the beef with
asking CM Biernat to step down.
Here's my beef: Whe
If nothing else, the Biernat indictments prove that Minneapolis government is pretty
clean. After all, the DA has spent almost a year and gazillion hours of staff time and
netted a $2700 alleged plumbing bill and a false invoice sent through the mail. Few of
us could bear that level of prosecut
Matthea Little Smith made this point:
I surely question why Brian Herron got all of the press for
admitting to his crime and Joe Biernat is getting much less
press for "fighting" for his political career and in my
opinion making a "mockery" of our city political system
that is already fragile.
First I would like to say that Joe has not been proven guilty of anything yet. That
saidâ¦â¦â¦
I find Paul Ostrows concern for Joeâs ability to serve on the very board that is to
decide what happens to reform the very system that he is accused of abusing a bulls
eye! In many neighborhood
Hey All,
I agree with Joe on this one! With all the conflict
of interest stuff the city holds neighborhood board
members accountable to, I think it only fitting the
city council and others politicians are expected to
behave a certain way, too.
And we have an election coming up in Florida for
Go
While I am glad we are innocent until proven guilty,
this is beginning to smell and look like what we all know it to be.
If he does sing and take others down, I am at least glad that the
dirty closet may eventually smell clean. But how does that change
the politics of this city and especially the
In skimming the list today, I believe that I missed the news article that
told me that Mr. Biernat was found guilty of a crime. Could someone please
send me the article, or, could folks please remember that even elected folks
should receive due process.
Susan Young
Yes, currently City Employee
Herron was a classier dirty politician than some others. Ed Felien wrote a
piece last summer "Herron Takes a Dive," that ended with this:
Theres one final difference between the sweet talkin son of
a preacher man from the Eighth Ward and other politicians,
he came to believe that what he h
Although the dollar amount wasn't that big, I think the lapse in ethics is
still relevant. Why can't we expect our elected officials to know better
than receiving even one free dollar worth of services from somebody,
especially someone who might then do business with the city or potentially
be ap
Alan:
I have more respect for those that admit their crimes and
are willing to pay the consequences of their behavior
upfront rather than have their constituents pay additional
dollars to go through an extensive court costs.
I surely question why Brian Herron got all of the press for
admitting t
ss his father and his father's former employer appointed the
members of the jury)
Joseph Barisonzi
Lyndale, Ward 10
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf
Of Alan Shilepsky
Sent: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 2:07 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [M
Paul
--
"Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without
action." - Benjamin Disraeli
> From: Alan Shilepsky <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: Wed, 22 May 2002 14:06:31 -0500
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: [Mpls] Biernat case. Where's the beef?
&g
Speaking as one who did not support Joe Biernat for reelection, I have
not been overly impressed so far by the seriousness of the charges
against Joe Biernat. $2,700 in free services? Let's see, some stores
triple the cost of the products they sell. If such a markup prevailed
here it would be $
How suprising can it be to hear that Joe Biernat
engaged in questionable (at best) practices, when he
was one of a handful in city hall "proclaiming" that
other than Brian Herron, city government was not
corrupt. How could Mr. Biernat "know" there was no
more corruption with so little informatio
I don't think anyone is blaming Joe Biernat's supporters. In fact they would be the biggest victims of one way or another. I think Joe being gone would be the best for the neighborhood and the city, that's why I did run against him. He will likely be gone soon. I think the important thing now is to
1 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] Biernat indictment Just so everyone knows: If it was not for the 9-11 disaster, all of this would have happened before the election last fall, and more than likely Biernat would not have run for reelection. Most of the FBI agents were taken off the City cor
Just so everyone knows: If it was not for the
9-11 disaster, all of this would have happened before the election last fall,
and more than likely Biernat would not have run for reelection. Most
of the FBI agents were taken off the City corruption scandal to concentrate on
our national secur
I for one would like to agree that an indictment is not a conviction. I have
been inundated with calls and emails about this all day.
We sometimes forget the consequences of our actions. I do not defend any
wrong doing. But I do feel bad for what his family will have to endure in the
future.
Let's remember that Biernat has been indicted, not convicted. That said, if
the conclusion to this sad episode is that he is convicted, it will be
because he has no understanding of the public trust associated with his
office. He has acted like a feudal lord rather than a public servant. This
has
I ran for 3rd ward council. One of the central themes of my campaign was Joe does not follow rules or council procedures and therefore is not fit for office. I hope he steps down gracefully. That would mean the top four of the past regime are out of office.
Rosalind Nelson writes: on 4/18/02 1:49 PM, Rosalind Nelson at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> Some of our public officials may be corrupt, but nobody can say they're
> overpriced. From the Strib article:
>
> "The indictment says that between March and May 1999, Biernat sought and
> received labor, m
Some of our public officials may be corrupt, but nobody can say they're
overpriced. From the Strib article:
"The indictment says that between March and May 1999, Biernat sought and
received labor, materials and improvements valued at $2,700 for work at
707 Main St. NE., a house that he then owned
I justheard the last few seconds of an MPR report: Joe Biernat and two
others (not council members) have been indicted for something. US Attorney
Tom Heffelfinger is calling a news conference this aftrenoon.
Tom Donaldson
Ventura Village
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Minneapolis Issu
I think if you look at Joe's voting record and his response to citizens you
will see he seems to favor whatever the police want and he doesn't seem to
encourage participation much less hear what people outside of the tight dfl
circle have to say.
I'm sure his definition of democracy is quite a bit
In the interest of substantive discussion, could you explain why this made
you laugh?
Do you think Mr. Biernat is not in favor of the American flag and
the nation for which it stands, or do you think he does not support
democracy, or what?
After all, having the flag and other
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