"Lawyers for two airlines being sued by 9/11 victims prompted a federal

[understandinglife]

... attorney to coach witnesses in the Zacarias Moussaoui death penalty trial so the government's case against the al-Qaida conspirator would not undercut their defense, victims' lawyers allege.

A United Airlines lawyer received a transcript of the first day of the Moussaoui trial from an American Airlines lawyer and forwarded it to Carla J. Martin, a Transportation Security Administration lawyer, the victims' lawyers, Robert Clifford and Gregory Joseph, claim.

Martin forwarded that day's transcript to seven federal aviation officials scheduled to testify later in the sentencing trial of the 37-year-old Frenchman, in violation of an order by Moussaoui trial judge Leonie Brinkema.

Martin's e-mailing of the transcript and her efforts to shape their testimony prompted Brinkema to toss out half the government's case against Moussaoui as contaminated beyond repair.


More at the link to Michael Sniffena's Lawyers: witness coaching aids 9/11 suit (Associated Press):

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14116728.htm

Any question about who runs this country ......


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[understandinglife]

1. fdl: "You Tell Me They Aren’t Motivated by Corruption and Cronyism"

Excellent post and comments at firedoglake:

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/03/17/you-tell-me-they-arent-motivated-by-corruption-and-cronyism/#more-1435


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[Benhurst]

2. Recommended

[DemReadingDU]

3. good reading, K&R

[Neil Lisst]

4. this situation proves that corruption is commonplace in Bush admin

This is really hard to believe, the collusion and partnership between big corps and the government.

[understandinglife]

5. It IS the only way they operate. They meant it when they indicated ...

... that as an empire, they make the rules and can violate them any time they please. The fate of everyone else is of no concern to them.


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7

[DeepModem Mom]

6. kick

[autorank]

7. UL, would these be the same airlines that got huge bail outs after 911?

You know, the really huge bail outs and protections. Isn't this amazing. They got all that and wanted more. They must fear something major coming out of this trial, tangential to the case but central to their culpability.

Here comes the judge! U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, at Alexandria

The Eastern District prides itself on being the most professional court around. They do things on time, no waiting forever. They don't allow fishing expeditions. If you sue there and somehow get by the entry level requirement but later show a bogus case, you will pay. They like the rules of evidence and so forth followed. And, they don't like getting jerked around.

I looked at Brinkema's bio. He was a Clinton appointee but he worked in the Reagan Justice Department.

This is interesting. Do not mess with these folks. It will get ugly, regardless of who appointed them.

Great post. Recommended.

[understandinglife]

8. The Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act ("ATSSA"),

... was signed into law on September 23, 2001. Of the $15 billion, $5 billion was for direct relief of the airlines, and $10 billion was for loan guarantees.

I do not have the info on actual distribution of funds.

Thank you for the additional information in your comment.


Be The Bu$h Opposition - 24/7