Is wrongdoing the same as crime to Frist?

[harlinchi]

Politicians always deny having done any 'wrongdoing' is response to questions regarding the possible commission of a crime. Debating questions of right and wrong with respect to crimes done is nebulous. It would appear to be possible to commit crimes without being morally wrong (a policeman who jaywalks to arrest a murderer is a simple example).

When Frist denies any wrongdoing regarding his stock sale is he also denying having done any crime? When politicians deny wrongdoing are they avoiding the question?

[Igel]

1. I don't think they're the same. Only native speaker intuition, of course.

Wrongdoing = doing wrong, something unethical or immoral.
Crime = doing something illegal, something that violates a criminal code as interpreted by the courts.
There's extensive overlap, but not complete identity between the two, at least in Western forms of jurisprudence.

If the question is, "Did you break the law?", "I didn't do anything wrong" may be the best answer he can give, and equates to as "I don't think so." "To the best of my knowledge, without consulting my attorneys, I didn't break the law" sounds far, far more weasly. Even attorneys rightly shy away from making pronouncements in areas of the law they're ignorant of. Then again, he may be evading the question.

[damntexdem]

2. Wrong question. You should have asked: ...

'is crime the same as wrongdoing?' He said there was no 'wrongdoing.' He didn't say there was no crime.

[harlinchi]

3. That's my point.

Folks who claim they committed no wrongdoing are not addressing the issue.