Brickbat: Partying Prosecutor

Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Paul Howard has spent thousands of dollars of asset forfeiture funds making sure that he and his staff have a good time. According to a recent newspaper report, he's used it to buy tickets to see Cee Lo Green, to throw holiday parties and to fund an office softball team. He also spent $16,000 of forfeiture funds on security for his home.

Comments

[Snark Plissken]

And under civil forfeiture, people don't even have to be charged with a crime to lose their homes, cars, or cash.

Perverse incentives? Rule of law?

Antiquated concepts that hinder the all-important WAR ON DRUGS!

[WTF]

No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;

Nope, don't see the part where property can be accused of a crime and confiscated without due process.

[Spartacus]

No person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;

Hey, that's not a bad idea! Maybe we could propose that as a new law or something. Surely that would fix everything.

[invisible furry hand]

he's used it to buy tickets to see Cee Lo Green

At least he didn't prosecute him

[PM]

Said if I was richer, I'd still be with ya. Well ain't that some shit?

[invisible furry hand]

I guess you're an xbox and I'm more atari

[PM]

Remember when it was the drug kingpins who lived large off the proceeds from the drug trade?

[Swiss Servator, Climb Eiger!]

*golf clap*

[Doctor Whom]

Without government, who would carry out these all-important functions?

[Rich]

According to guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Justice, agencies that participate in the federal equitable sharing program (like the Fulton County DA), must "avoid any appearance of extravagance, waste, or impropriety" when spending forfeiture funds. Looks like Howard didn't get that memo.

Howard responded: "You calling *that* shit 'extravagant'? You oughta see how *Cee Lo* lives!"

[JD the elder]

You have to avoid any appearance of extravagance, waste, or impropriety. Not the actual extravagance, waste, or impropriety itself. In other words, "do what you want, just don't make a scene and embarrass everyone."

[DEATFBIRSECIA]

Similar to government officials who don't want actual NSA reform, they just "want the public to get a better understanding of these programs."

Fascia.

[sarcasmic]

Plus, under state law, property owners have to prove their innocence.

No. Not quite. Property owners must prove their property's innocence. See? The property owner is innocent until proven guilty. Their property on the other hand...

[Rich]

... is guilty by homeowner's association.

[Rod Flash]

I think highway robbery/asset forfeiture is so enjoyed by police departments everywhere in the land of the free that even when pot is legalized they'll still be stopping people and shaking them down for their cash and cars. It's just too much fun and profit to stop merely because the supposed cause is no longer valid.