18 U.S. Code 241
Chrisite appointee Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority, and Bridget Kelly, the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff have now been indicted in the scheme described by Wildstein.
If two or more persons conspire to injure, oppress, threaten, or intimidate any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District in the free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege secured to him by the Constitution or laws of the United States, or because of his having so exercised the same; orDavid Wildstein, a journalist and politico, has pled guilty to violation of the post civil war law known as the Ku Klux Klan Act. Named to direct capital projects at the Port Authority Mark Sokolich by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Wildstein admitted today that he conspired with others to create a massive traffic jam to take revenge on the Ft. Lee Boro mayor who had refused to enforce Christie for reelection in 2013.
If two or more persons go in disguise on the highway, or on the premises of another, with intent to prevent or hinder his free exercise or enjoyment of any right or privilege so secured—
They shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both...
Chrisite appointee Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority, and Bridget Kelly, the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff have now been indicted in the scheme described by Wildstein.
Good Morning Professor Conk:
ReplyDeleteThis seems a rather obscure statute under which to proceed. Any thoughts on why federal prosecutors chose this particular statute to proceed against the defendants? Would other statutes have sufficed, or did contextual limitations in the language of other federal conspiracy laws make this statute the proper choice? Would the defense - during plea negotiations - have had an influence on the ultimate choice of laws? Thanks.
Kind regards,
Glen Hart