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Dick Cheney, Alberto Gonzales Indicted By Grand Jury

Posted by Faiz Shakir, Think Progress at 4:41 PM on November 18, 2008.


A South Texas grand jury has returned multi-count indictments against Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
gonzoindict

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A South Texas grand jury has returned multi-count indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges related to the alleged abuse of prisoners in Willacy County's federal detention centers: 

The indictment accuses Cheney and Gonzales of engaging in organized criminal activity. It criticizes Cheney's investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and "at least misdemeanor assaults" on detainees by working through the prison companies.

Gonzales is accused of using his position while in office to stop an investigation into abuses at the federal detention centers.

Digg!

Faiz Shakir is the Research Director at the Center for American Progress and serves as Editor of ThinkProgress.org and The Progress Report.


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Everyone stand for the Hallelujah Chorus!!!!
Posted by: redceres on Nov 18, 2008 5:10 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Now, let's see how Bush steps in for that pre-handover pardon. . .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

You know what they say about "if something sounds too good to be true"...
Posted by: ~Fiona~ on Nov 18, 2008 5:13 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It probably is...

I'm afraid to hope anymore... It always winds up hurting me more when I hope...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yeah, right.
Posted by: Longdream on Nov 18, 2008 5:15 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is wonderful. It's courageous. It's what ought to be done. And I have every confidence that it's going to be thrown out. It would be nice to see Cheney answer this, but compared to a federal prosecution, these guys are gnats on a bull's neck. It's grandstanding, but hopefully it's a harbinger of things to come.

If the indictment isn't for show, why is it being brought now, instead of sixty-odd days from now when Cheney becomes a private citizen?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: patfr
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: ProgressiveManiac
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: babs
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: Longdream
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Yeah, right. Posted by: Longdream
Note that they've trained us. . .
Posted by: redceres on Nov 18, 2008 5:37 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to expect ANYTHING but justice. Sleep well, my co-bitter compatriots.

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I read that Mr Cheney is worth upwards of 39 million and has even more
Posted by: beijaflor on Nov 18, 2008 5:45 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
money in a secret 'treuhand' account in either Austria or Switzerland because of his profiteering connections with Haliburton et. al..
With that kind of cash and connections, one can buy alot of silence, especially the permanent kind. Prayers for the whistle blowers and people seeking to do the right thing in exposing even this little tip of the iceberg of high crimes and misdemeanors.

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The Charges were bogus, and will be thrown out
Posted by: EncinoM on Nov 18, 2008 6:09 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Read the attached article, the charges are meritless.

Its one thing to nail them for a legit charge, quite another to make a mockery of justice for political show.

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Which part of Pardon do you not understand
Posted by: Rod on Nov 18, 2008 6:28 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Before he leaves office, Bu$h will pardon everyone who is involved in this and many other crimes against the people, that way there will be no one to testify against him.

Face it, unless a last minute impeachment occurs, nothing will ever happen to him and we will be paying his "retirement" for a good many years. Oh well, that will be a pittance to what we will be paying for from his 8 years on the job.

Rod

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PARDONABLE
Posted by: Ashoka911 on Nov 19, 2008 1:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It seems to me a better idea to wait on all of these cases. Once a defendant, these guys are PARDONABLE. Of course, we may be blockading Dubai to try to get at them....Oh....you did not really think you would find him in Wyoming, did'ya?

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» RE: PARDONABLE Posted by: helenahanbasquet
» RE: PARDONABLE Posted by: gregii
» RE: Nixon Posted by: Longdream
» RE: PARDONABLE Posted by: Longdream
» RE: PARDONABLE Posted by: babs
Use Bush's Pardon List to Begin Prosecution
Posted by: jbpaz on Nov 19, 2008 2:20 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A proper pardon must list the crimes for which the recipient is being excused. This is a good basis for the new President to name him an enemy combatant. Incarcerated, he may be persuaded to describe the crimes of his cohorts.
This should have a multiplier effect. With evidence already in Homeland Security, prosecutors could bring even more enemy combatants into the net.
Life imprisonment without trial is a real crime stopper.

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It coldn't happen...
Posted by: Hankbrilliant on Nov 19, 2008 2:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
to a more deserving couple of fellas!

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I'm bettin'...
Posted by: adp3d on Nov 19, 2008 3:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...that Cheney will be in his Dubai villa before anyone lays a hand on him.

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Imagine:
Posted by: motamanx6 on Nov 19, 2008 3:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Imagine: Seven plus years of this crap, and only now only some little town in Texas has the courage to face up to these creeps. Where was the media? What happened to Conyers? Where was Congress, anyway?

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on the morning news
Posted by: aislinnluv on Nov 19, 2008 5:04 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
my local channel's "legal authority" says that cheney and gonzales can't be charged by a state court. i'm not sure i understand this but perhaps some reader has more insight/knowledge?

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» RE: on the morning news Posted by: Quannah
» RE: on the morning news Posted by: lynmarenjensen
» RE: on the morning news Posted by: Longdream
It's a start
Posted by: Shey on Nov 19, 2008 5:04 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Bush can't issue a blanket pardon for every crime Cheney has committed as VP, individually and as a conspirator with entities like Haliburton and Blackwater. The latter also leaves plenty of opportunity for prosecution for war crimes.

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What does this mean..??
Posted by: ncraw on Nov 19, 2008 5:17 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What does this mean?? Does it mean that Bush can't pardon someone unless they have been indited of something?? If so.. is this how the pardons will be achieved for Bush's buddies, an inditment in South Texas and then a pardon?? And does being indited in one state mean that you can't be indited in any other state??
Please, are there any lawyers out there that can explain the ramifications to us??

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» RE: What does this mean..?? Posted by: Longdream
For all those who think these charges are bogus:
Posted by: Bastet62 on Nov 19, 2008 6:07 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You might want to check out this story from WorldNetDaily March 2007:
Embattled AG now accused
in teen sex scandal 'cover-up'
Attorney General Gonzales among officials
who allegedly ignored abuse of minor boys

linked text = Linked text
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, both already under siege for other matters, are now being accused of failing to prosecute officers of the Texas Youth Commission after a Texas Ranger investigation documented that guards and administrators were sexually abusing the institution's teenage boy inmates.

Among the charges in the Texas Ranger report were that administrators would rouse boys from their sleep for the purpose of conducting all-night sex parties.

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KMBo1
Posted by: KMBo1 on Nov 19, 2008 6:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In my dreams... ha! This is just a setup so Dubya can pardon VeepDick and Amnesiac Al-boy of ALL offenses without having to mention 'torture' by name.

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IT'S A SET-UP! - Don't you see?
Posted by: Voicedude on Nov 19, 2008 9:07 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
IT'S A SET-UP!

Don't you see? It's all set up by the GOP as the first step to pre-exonerate themselves from eveything. I was conferring with a councelor who, when I mentioned charges against Bu$hCo, reminded me that a pardon cannot take place UNTIL some kind of charges were actually filed. The Dems were going to wait until AFTER they were out of office when the couldn't use their power for self-pardons. Now the crooks have already been allowed the first legal step in making their own Get Out Of Jail Free cards!

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Hey , they got Capone for tax evasion!!
Posted by: KDelphi5950 on Nov 19, 2008 10:21 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'm just gonna be stupid on this one...LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL hehehehehehehehehhe hahahahahahahahh

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High FIVE for Texas
Posted by: Kimberly on Nov 19, 2008 6:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Section 1001 of the USA Patriot Act, signed into law by the President on October 26, 2001, directs the Inspector General to review information and receive complaints alleging abuses of Civil Rights and civil liberties BY [ OIG, FBI, U.S. Attorneys,Appointed Judges ] Department of Justice employees. [ Victims BY the Government ]
.
Failure to keep from harm: The public counts on its law enforcement officials to protect local communities. If it’s shown that an official willfully failed to keep an individual from harm, that official could be in violation of the color of law statute.
.
Office of Inspector General - Misprison of a felony 1998 OIG Volentary Disclousure Program
Office of Personnel Management Joseph Frech investigator Dated: 9 May 2002
" The ( criminal ) matters discribed in your letter ( Anti-dumping & Anti-kickback Violations - Hospital Insurance Fraud T42CFR417.1 resulting in death ) are Not within the Jurisdiction of This Office. The OIG had also recieved information regarding your case in SEPTEMBER 2000. At that time WE ( OIG FBI U.S. Attorneys ~ Region 5 HCFA ) DETERMINED that the [ OPM FEHBP ] Health Benefits Contracts Division has sole jurisdiction [ OIG Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol (SDP) in 1998, see 63 Fed. Reg. 58,399 ~ 1996 HIPAA Violation T18CFR371CRIME Color of Law ] over your ( criminal ) complaint. The decision made by the contracts division is final and the OIG will NOT Investigate." ~T18CFR371CRIME ~ OPM FEHBP Contracting Divisions assisting, allowing & concealing CITE: 5CFR890.105 Systemic Deprivations ~ felony federal health care offences against Retired FEHBP. "
.
Subj: RE: abuse of civil rights BY justice employees
Date: 12/13/2002 8:54:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Inspector.General@usdoj.gov (General, Inspector)
To: Kstbylite1@aol.com
Dear Ms. Kimball:
The purpose of this letter is to acknowledge receipt of your Internet submission dated October 31, 2002. The matters that you raised [ Federal HMO T42CFR417.1 Hospital Insurance Fraud ] have been reviewed by the staff of the Investigations Division, Office of the Inspector General. The primary investigative responsibilities of this office are:
· Allegations of criminal,as well as non-criminal, misconduct committed BY U.S. Department of Justice Employees [ U.S. Attorneys FBI OIG ] and Contractors [ Region 5 HCFA ]; and
· Waste and abuse by High Ranking Department Officials, or that affects *MAJOR Programs and operations. [ 1998 DHHS OIG VOLENTARY DISCLOUSURE Program ~ RICO ]
This Office does not have jurisdiction in the matter [ T18CFR24CRIMES 1996 HIPAA Violations ] you described. Therefore, your complaint has been forwarded to:
Office of Personnel Management - T5CFR890.105 illegal denial of covered claims
Office of the Inspector General - illegal agreement T18CFR371CRIME 1998 DHHS OIG Volentary Disclousure Program T18CFR286CRIME
1900 E Street NW Washington, D.C. 20415
I hope this answers any questions regarding this [ criminal T18CFR286CRIME ] matter.
Sincerely, The Office of the Inspector General
Department of Justice COLOR of LAW ~T18CFR1518CRIME Obstruction - The OIG has jurisdiction over all complaints of (criminal) misconduct AGAINST Department of Justice employees [misprison of felony crimes Illegal Immunity], JULY 08 report by the Justice Department's Office of Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility confirmed that in 2002 under Attorney General John D.Ashcroft and again in 2006 under Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales applicants weeded out based on their perceived liberal leanings.~Open Letter to Health Care Providers (April 15, 2008 oig.hhs.gov/fraud ~The OIG Provider Self-Disclosure Protocol 1998,see 63 Fed.Reg. 58,399,project involving providers[illegal agreement]PROVED SUCCESSFUL~ ILLEGAL IMMUNITY~Color of Law~RICO

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This isn't going away.
Posted by: nomomorons on Nov 19, 2008 9:56 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If there is any justice, the onion is being peeled.

The American prison-industrial complex is corrupt and growing; it costs taxpayers huge sums, pads the pockets of immoral executives, corrupts very corruptible officials, and demeans this nation. The crack-down, smack-down on immigrants has been a boon to these jerks, and Cheney is up to his bald noggin in it. His son-in-law lobbies on behalf of these shysters; a local Texas congressman carries water for them--and he has huge influence on this issue due to his seat on the Homeland Security committee. This guy is joined at the hip to Bush/Cheney.

This is a story that will be told if there is anything resembling a free press left in this country; well, actually, it's been getting ink from the NYTimes and New Yorker mag. Moyer has spoken about it. But there's just been so much crap going down that this got lost. Maybe now, with these indictments by this very heroic A.G., daylight will come to this seamy little scheme. May these guys go to jail and receive the same treatment they've applauded for so many innocent victims who flee a hell in their home countries only to be treated as vermin by this nation.

This justice is more than poetic.

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Our interest in seeing justice served is meaningless. What we want too.
Posted by: common intelligence on Nov 20, 2008 9:43 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's all fun to talk and debate the possiblities, but it is so very sad when we see these bastards continues guilty actions take place throughout the last eight years all are voices have gone spoke on deaf ears.

It's so sad that the congress, it's very self, has been complicent in all the happenings too. So their asses are on the chopping block too. But with the likes of Nancy Pelosi at the reins and now Joe Leiberman being given acceptable credibility by Obama, I have the gravest doubts anything will happen in the application of justice.

It's like after 911 no one was has ever been brought to answer for failures in any national securities posts. As well, now in the midst of the economy going down the shit whole, much blame is being fingered but no one is being thrown in the clinker. The whole system is corrupt to the core and no one is being made accountable for anything.

This page in the theater of The executive, legislative and judicial branches intertwined collusion in corruption and it makes the likelyhood of more that a slap on the hand and some inconsiquential humility, the best we can hope for.

The MSM has been powerfully in charge of slashing the sails, deflating and minimizing any momentum of public awareness of truth or concern of the veryidea of democracy a joke. All along this sad sad nightmare this country has been in lock-step by the Bush / neocon machine. Some here, on Alternet others even say in more words why nothing will happen.

So, now when we weight the history of accountability being made a part of the equation, we can see by deductive reason, unless the crafty Bush legal team screws up, or "Our" representative find a voice of devine power*, accounatbility is "off the table" too.
Because we the people have given away our power to a coup'e'tate without a pair of gloves to even fight.
(*Ongressmen Wexler and Kucinich are our only voices. Most others that were strong have lost their schutspah.)

Ergo, "this whole thing is just a dramatic sad comedy of errors."
I can only hope for justice, but we know it won't happen in this country.
But I won't stop voicing myself. Bitching is the last act of defiance.

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YAY!!!
Posted by: zoonerian on Nov 20, 2008 1:58 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's about time!!! Now when Bush leaves office, I'd like to see him get his too for the illegal spying. Bunch of criminals!

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timing
Posted by: DEBKAMAINE on Nov 20, 2008 2:10 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Is this the best time to start the MANY indictments that SHOULD take place? Out of office, they will have no power.......especially with the fact that this indictment takes place in Texas.

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THANK YOU!!!! T E X A S !!
Posted by: johnbradleycopeland on Nov 20, 2008 2:17 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I never thought I would use these terms. It pleases me that someone is trying to do something!

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Indict Bush!!
Posted by: Jest2007 on Nov 20, 2008 3:21 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The indictment against Cheney and Gonzales should only be the beginning. Bush should also be held accountable for war crimes. He overtly supported torture, which is against the rule of law and the Geneva Conventions. Bush has done tremendous damage to this country's reputation, credibility, and security; and these wounds will not be healed until he has been brought to justice. It is outrageous that Congress allowed this president to run amok and shred the Constitution in his obsessive pursuit of terrorists, speciously labeling this endeavor as the "war on terrorism." Other heads of state have been indicted for abuse of power, why not Bush?

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Y'know--I don't think I need to see them actually serve time.
Posted by: Longdream on Nov 20, 2008 5:22 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It would be enough for me to see them hit where they really live.

It's my fervent hope that all the Bush League criminals are bankrupted by legal fees in the longest running most byzantine case effort since Dickens gave us Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

I want to see criminal charges and civil suits, petitions, briefs and in-kind transfer of assets. I want to see them bleed money, hemorrhage money, and I want to see the lawyers who act for them get sleek and glossy, and too fat to drive their new Ferraris, while Bush, Cheney and the rest of them try to figure out how they're going to keep up appearances.

Jail would be a lot less obnoxious to them.

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could happen to more desrving chumps, indictment will go nowhere
Posted by: whealeydj on Nov 20, 2008 7:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
this was a desperate final act by a desperate prosecutor who lost election in March. Reading some of the linked articles Sheila Jackson Lee wants to look into Attorney General failures to stop abuse of juvenile prisoners, I wont be holding my breath.

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Retired
Posted by: dogman12 on Nov 22, 2008 4:06 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Perhaps I've missed something, but isn't Cheney's indictment about seven years and eleven months overdue?

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I hear a blanket pardon to all..
Posted by: Bearzerker on Nov 22, 2008 11:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... politicals and civil servants who served Bush43's disastrous administration coming!

its the only way the Fed can stop the waves of lawsuits coming there way.

Don't think its ever been done before, but you can count on Bush43 setting a new standard on HOW LOW CAN YOU GO!

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