From Michael Mayko, CT Post:
Sept. 23 could be the day Ernest Newton’s been waiting for. Or it could be one he regrets.
That’s the day Superior Court Judge Joan K. Alexander could issue her ruling on whether or not to dismiss pending state felony charges involving campaign finance fraud stemming from Newton’s unsuccessful attempt last fall to recapture his state Senate seat in Bridgeport.
“I’m very confident that even if the case is not dismissed on our motion, the state will be hard pressed to find a jury that will support their charges,” said Darnell Crosland, Newton’s lawyer, following a brief appearance in Superior Court here Monday.
Full story here.
Repeat offender?
Jury would be hard pressed to not throw away the key.
After Newton received the public money, the EEC’s next move was to target Newton’s campaign.
CT Post 7/19/12
Commission Chairman Stephen Cashman – a Republican appointee – cast the highly irregular “no” vote and issued the following statement:
“I do not believe that the legislature would have contemplated such a situation to put us in this position of approving taxpayer money for someone with Mr. Newton’s criminal record that involves a direct violation of the public trust, and for that reason it is my message to the legislature that this ought to be corrected. I am going to vote against this application.”
Was Ernie set up by Cashman and the EEC? Time will tell.
The first thing should be a ticket from the Clothing Police.
Bob, how about a few jewels from the gemologist!
Len, word has it Newton used to shop in New Haven, paying in cash. He never shopped in Bridgeport for his jewelry purchases.
Jim,
Do you think the people he extorted to suborn perjury set him up too?
No, yahooy; but I think the chairman of the EEC was gunning for Ernie from day one.
But Jim, there are serious allegations people were told to lie to EEC officials. Do you think the Chairman of the EEC contemplated such behavior prior to his suggesting he offered no support?
yahooy, right, just allegations. Obviously Mr. Cashman was gunning for Newton, and was looking to start a buzz in Hartford against Newton, which he did.
In a statement at the time to his SEEC colleagues, Cashman said, “I do not believe the Legislature would have contemplated such a situation to put us in this position of approving taxpayer money for someone with Mr. Newton’s criminal record that involves a direct violation of the public trust, and for that reason it is my message to the Legislature that this ought to be corrected. I am going to vote against this application.”
Cashman said he wanted to begin a conversation at the Capitol in Hartford.
All design to bring Newton down, and the SEEC used every resource to do Chairman Cashman’s bidding.
Newton was railroaded from the start by Cashman and the SEEC.
Thanks, Jim. Now I’m beginning to understand. So it was Cashman who set Newton up by pre-arranging Newton not meet the financial minimums to qualify for State election funds. Cashman then orchestrated Newton’s fraudulent report indicating he did meet the requirements and it was Cashman who told Newton’s campaign contributors to lie to the EEC. That Cashman is a real bum. How come the Calamarians don’t have him on the City of Bridgeport payroll. He seems eminently qualified.
BTW, JML. Did you happen to notice the bow-tie? Looks sharp, no?
Attorney Crosland is a picture of conservative sartorial style with his red ‘power’ bow tie. I would guess this is not a clip-on butterfly, and that indicates counselor Crosland has the requisite skill ‘to tie one on.’ Fewer than 15% of local males have developed that skill, unfortunately as it is an alternative way of indicating individuality.
yahooy, want a lesson on bow tieing? Time will tell.
Thank you, no. I am retired as are my neckties none of which were ever of the bow-tie persuasion. The bow-tie barrister and you are fortunate to have mastered such sartorial impact.
*** IF THE ACTUAL CHARGES DON’T FIT, THEN YOU MUST ACQUIT, NO? ***