Judge asked to dismiss case against xCannon aide (Safavian trial date set)

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON - Attorneys for David Safavian, a former White House budget official and one-time chief of staff to Rep. Chris Cannon, urged a judge to throw out charges against their client, arguing he technically didn't mislead a team investigating disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Safavian's attorney, Barbara Van Gelder, said prosecutors haven't made a case that Safavian broke the law, and argued the charges should be dismissed in order to spare her client "the expense, torture and turmoil of trial."

Safavian is charged with five counts of making false statements to investigators and obstructing an investigation into his dealings with Abramoff, who was a long-time friend and mentor to Safavian.
....
As far as Safavian was concerned, "he was going golfing with his friend, a person he goes golfing with often, a person he plays racquetball with," she said.

U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman didn't rule on the motion, but Van Gelder conceded that courts rarely dismiss indictments. The trial is scheduled to start May 22. Abramoff will likely testify.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_3638495?source=rss

[napi21]

1. That's SOP. He atty would be remiss if she didn't at least ask! n/t

[Rose Siding]

2. You'd think the corruption case of an admin offical would get more print

This is the only full article I could find about it. There's a blurb way down the column in the WP's 'Wa In Brief', pg 4.

[napi21]

3. There's so much other information published about corruption

in this admin. & the Party in general, this guy's troubles sink pretty low on the list.