http://www.consortiumnews.com/2002/080502a.htmlThe Battle of MiamiOn Nov. 22, 2000, after learning that the Miami canvassing board was starting an examination of 10,750 disputed ballots that had previously not been counted,
Rep. John Sweeney, a New York Republican, called on Republican troops to “shut it down,” according to Down and Dirty. Brendan Quinn, executive director of the New York GOP, told about two dozen Republican operatives to storm the room on the 19th floor where the canvassing board was meeting, Tapper reported.“Emotional and angry, they immediately make their way outside the larger room in which the tabulating room is contained,” Tapper wrote. “The mass of ‘angry voters’ on the 19th floor swells to maybe 80 people,” including many of the Republican activists from outside Florida.
News cameras captured the chaotic scene outside the canvassing board's offices. The protesters shouted slogans and banged on the doors and walls. The unruly protest prevented official observers and members of the press from reaching the room. Miami-Dade county spokesman Mayco Villafana was pushed and shoved. Security officials feared the confrontation was spinning out of control.
The canvassing board suddenly reversed its decision and canceled the recount. “Until the demonstration stops, nobody can do anything,” said David Leahy, Miami’s supervisor of elections, although the canvassing board members would later insist that they were not intimidated into stopping the recount.
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GOP Judge Reverses Jail Sentence For Sweeney's Son BALLSTON SPA---No jail time for the son of Republican Congressman John Sweeney despite him pleading guilty to felony second degree assault as the result of a fight which seriously injured the victim.
In a rare action, Fulton County Judge Richard Giardino reversed his earlier decision to sentence John J. Sweeney, 19, of Schaghticoke and John J. Manupella of Troy, also 19, to jail for a brutal assault of another teen last year that left the victim with long-term vision damage and recurring nightmares. He will also have to undergo reconstructive dental work after losing one tooth and having three other teeth chipped in the assault.
The pair had pleaded guilty to second degree assault last month in a plea bargain negotiated with the Montgomery County district attorney's office in exchange for a sentence of four months of weekends in jail or 45 consecutive days in jail plus probation and community service.
Second degree assault is a class D felony and they could have received up to seven years in state prison.
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