By Andrew Kreig / Project Director's Blog
New Jersey federal prosecutors last week won court permission for a new 30-day delay to check with Washington headquarters on whether to give up their so-far unsuccessful effort to expand federal bribery law by courtroom maneuvers instead of congressional 
action. The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals granted a second grace period for prosecutors who are trying to calculate their odds of success if they ask the full appeals court to overturn a unanimous three-judge ruling in February. The ruling vacated charges filed nearly two years ago against former Jersey City mayoral candidate Louis Manzo and his brother and campaign manager, Ronald Manzo.
“The time for the U.S. attorney’s office to check with Washington,” Louis Manzo, at right, told the Justice Integrity Project April 2, “was before they brought the case, not as an after-thought when the case was dismissed. Our evidence indicates that the government camouflaged the el
ection activity and the fact that candidates – not public officials – were being targeted. Had they not screwed up their protocol, they and we might not be in this predicament now.”
The three judges ruled in February that Hobbs Act bribery law for many years has covered only officials, not candidates. As our Project reported in, Court Slaps Feds Again For Christie-Era NJ Prosecutions, Republican former New Jersey U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, left, initiated the sting against primarily Democratic local politicians in a 46-defendant Bid Rig III case before he left office at the end of 2008. Christie’s successors moved forward with the cases in July 2009, relying heavily on since discredited witness Solomon Dwek. The indictments helped Christies win New Jersey’s governorship as a corruption-fighter and in the process helped top prosecutors win jobs for themselves in his administration.
By Andrew Kreig / Project Director's Blog
Online booksellers are not liable for potentially defamatory comments posted on websites and created by others, a Washington federal judge ruled March 31 in dismissing civil charges involving a controversial book about President Obama. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon, right, dismissed civil charges pre-trial as a matter of law regarding the self-published book, Barack Obama & Larry Sinclair.
Sinclair, the book’s author, wrote the Justice Integrity Project with this comment:“I believe Judge Leon made the proper ruling in regards to the Motions for Summary Judgment by Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com and the Motion to Dismiss by Books-A-Millions. I am still awaiting a decision on my motion to dismiss, as well as the Rense motion to dismiss.”
Author and entertainer Larry Wilde shared insights he’s drawn from many of the world’s greatest comedians as the March 31 guest on the Washington Update public affairs radio show that I co-host weekly with Scott Draughon on the My Technology Lawyer network. Our guest, right, is an ambassador for the comedy profession. He founded "National Humor Month," celebrated in April, and founded the Carmel Institute of Humor to foster research on the role of humor in wellness, longevity and human relations.
With so many troubles in the world, this show was a change of pace from our usual public affairs topics as we indulge in Wilde ideas. He is a motivational speaker and the author of 53 books, including the iconic, Great Comedians Talk About Comedy. The book is a unique study of comic genius. An Amazon.com reader review says:
Great Comedians is a superb, singular achievement that collects within one lively, 402-page, info-packed volume detailed interviews done over several years with some of the 20th century's greatest comedians and comedy actors. The selection is absolutely mind-boggling: Woody Allen, Milton Berle, Shelly Berman, Jack Benny, Joey Bishop, George Burns, Johnny Carson, Maurice Chevalier, Phyllis Diller, Jimmy Durante, Bob Hope, Dick Gregory, George Jessel, Jerry Lewis, Jerry Seinfeld, Danny Thomas and Ed Wynn....This book an essential for ANYONE interested in comedy, or for students of comedy, public speakers, or anyone who simply wants to be funny in public. It's ALL HERE: the inspiration, the tips, the stories, the bios...the TOOLS.
I concur that it's a wonderful book, which I devoured from cover-to-cover. To further prepare for our radio interview, I sought out also YouTube videos of the stars in action. Let me share one here, which portrays Jack Benny hosting Marilyn Monroe during her first television appearance. It's an understatement to say this is the kind of performance that makes legends. It's all the more remarkable that they performed live. Monroe may be missing an earring because of bustle of live action, but neither star missed a nuance of what they did best.
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Andrew Kreig
JIP Editor
The Justice Integrity Project (JIP) researches official misconduct
Broadcast and lecture audiences can count on the Project's director to deliver blunt, entertaining and cutting-edge commentary about public affairs, with practical tips for the millions of Americans caught up in unfair litigation or regulation.
Based in Washington, DC, Andrew Kreig is an accomplished fighter for the public interest. Learn from his decades of reporting, analysis and advocacy:
• Shocking tales of recent corruption, deception and cover-up by both parties in communities ranging from small towns to world capitals; and
• Practical how-to tips for reformers on action that brings real-world results.
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