Another grand jury is convened in Noe investigation (Coingate)

[OzarkDem]

A second grand jury is investigating the expanding state scandal involving Tom Noe and his failed $50 million rare-coin funds.

...

He (Judge Wittenberg) declined to say why the grand jury is meeting, but sources told The Blade yesterday that it will not only focus on Mr. Noe but also will look at “the broader issues” surrounding problems at the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.

...

Alan Konop, a veteran criminal defense attorney in Toledo, said the impaneling of a special grand jury is a common investigative tool allowing prosecutors to gather evidence and compel testimony without first filing a criminal charge.

“It’s a very effective tool, especially because of the subpoena,” Mr. Konop said.

And without a grand jury, prosecutors cannot force potential witnesses to talk with them.



http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050802/NEWS24/50802002

[paineinthearse]

1. The Toledo Blade

The Toledo Blade's coverage of Coingate has been very objective and factual. Keep up the good work!

Coingate needs to be DU's next "actvist" project.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

2. From the same article:

"Grand juries are used to hear from witnesses and review evidence presented by prosecutors in order to determine if enough proof exists to charge someone with a crime."

No one's going to devote time and resources to this kind of effort unless they believe it will lead to charges.

:toast:

[aquart]

3. Don't be surprised if it spawns juries in other states.

Financial frauds like this have tentacles. And every time a witness opens his mouth, it's lifting a rock and finding a hundred uglies crawling out.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. People will start "making deals"...

...NO ONE wants to go to jail, and they will stab whatever back or slit whatever throat is necessary to prevent it.

[paineinthearse]

6. In some (all?) states, grand juries have investgative powers of their own

...at least this is true in Massachusetts.

[WhiteTara]

5. I sure hope this widens into the election fraud

that would be wonderful and then maybe when there is an election , the votes will really be counted.

[meganmonkey]

8. Hell yeah - The Ohio GOP is so damn corrupt

I hope a lot of dirt comes to the surface in this process. They are thieves and cheaters and greedy anti-democracy assholes. I want to see them all go down, from Noe to Blackwell, and hopefully up into the ranks of the admin.

*fingers crossed*

[annabanana]

7. These grand juries are flashlights.....

And the more light that gets in, the better..