Help Free Paul Minor, Another GOP Political Prisoner

Posted by Larisa Alexandrovna, AlterNet at 12:55 AM on July 22, 2008.

Editor's note: RawStory.com investigative reporter and editor Larisa Alexandrovna is urging readers rally behind releasing former attorney Paul Minor on bail to help care for his sick wife during appeals of a bribery conviction that he claims was politically motivated.

Minor, 62, built a national reputation and became wealthy by suing tobacco, asbestos and other companies. He was convicted in March 2007 of bribing two judges and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Minor is asking the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans for a new trial. He accuses the federal government of selective prosecution, saying he was targeted by Republican prosecutors because of his large contributions to Democratic Party causes.

Minor's bond request says the conviction likely will be overturned, but it may be too late for him to be at his wife's side.

Alexandrovna writes:

"(Former Alabama Governor) Don Siegelman is out now, but others are not, including Paul Minor. His wife is dying of cancer and he cannot even get out on an appeal bond (just like Siegelman). I ask that you try to help Paul Minor the way you have so kindly been helping Don Siegelman. If you have the time, please write a letter of support to Mr. Minor, who is in prison because of his politics and whose life has been destroyed simply because Karl Rove targeted him. While Mr. Rove is refusing to testify, Mrs. Minor is in the last stages of her illness. So time is of the essence. Congress is dragging its feet, but they can put pressure on the court to release Minor on appeal bond while they investigate these political prosecutions. She should not have to die alone and he should not have to know his wife is dying alone, while he sits in prison for being a Democrat. I know you think this may not concern you, but it does. It might be you in jail one day and who then will speak for you? I have reported on this long enough and collected enough evidence to know that these political prisoners are just that and from all walks of life, including everyday citizens who happened to commit the crime of peacefully protesting the Iraq war.

Alexandrovna has been one of country's foremost reporters following the story of apparent GOP political prosecutions in the South. Her reports, entitled "The Permanent Republican Majority Series," include:

Part One - The Political Prisoner

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/The_Permanent_Republican_Majority_1125.html

Part Two - Exclusive interview with jailed governor's daughter, Dana Siegelman

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/The_permanent_Republican_majority_Daughter_of_ 1127.html

Part Three - Running Elections from the White House http://rawstory.com/news/2007/The_Permanent_Republican_Majority_Part_III_112 6.html

Part Four - How Bush pick helped prosecute top Democrat-backed judge http://rawstory.com/news/2008/How_Bush_US_attorney_riddled_with_0401.html

Alabama station drops 60 Minutes expose on Don Siegelman prosecution http://rawstory.com/news/2008/60_Minutes_broadcast_on_prosecution_of_0225.ht ml

Interview with Dana Jill Simpson and alleged Rove smear campaign http://rawstory.com/news/2008/In_exclusive_interview_Alabama_whistleblower_s ays_0225.html

Part V: Mississippi Justice: Bush US Attorney targeted my wife, supporters and friends http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Diaz_placeholder_0408.html

Part VI: Break-ins plague targets of US Attorneys http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Breakins_plague_Justice_Department_whistleblow ers_0430.html

Justice Department investigating two US Attorneys for political prosecution http://rawstory.com/news/2008/DOJ_Investigating_two_US_Attorneys_involved_06 04.html

Part VII: Justice for Sale: How Big Tobacco and the GOP teamed up to crush Democrats in the South

http://rawstory.com/news08/2008/06/24/justice-for-sale-how-big-tobacco-teame d-up-with-the-gop-to-crush-democrats-in-the-south/

Alexandrovna urges people write to Minor. His address is:

Paul S. Minor

#07705-043

FPC Pensacola

110 Raby Ave.

Pensacola, FL 32509

Tagged as: paul minor, pensacola