Nifong disbarred

An ethics hearing was held this week as to the fitness of Mike Nifong the DA for Durham, NC. The Ethics panel revoked his law license and determined that the DA put his personal ambitions above public service, lied about evidence and embarassed the legal profession. The North Carolina Attorney Generals office determined that not only was there not evidence for trial but that the Duke Lacrosse players did not commit the offenses that the DA had alleged in the indictment. Nifongs legal troubles are not over and he faces criminal and civil lawsuits. Some legal experts believe that there could be more cases like this and the only difference is that the defendants were able to hire defense attorneys to defend them. This was truly a a case of miscarriage of justice.

Libby sentenced

Lewis Libby was formally sentenced to 30 months in prison for lying about his role in the CIA leak of Valerie Plame even though the prosecutor did not find any wrong doing. Political analysts have speculated whether Libby will be pardoned by the president. Libby was the former Chief of Staff to VP Cheney. It was later learned that former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was the original source of the leak.

Congressman indicted on corruption and bribery

LA Congressman William Jefferson (D-LA) was indicted by the Justice Department on 16 counts of corruption and bribery. This investigation has been a year long investigation in which Jefferson is accused of using his office for personal gain for himself and his family. Several of his aides are currently serving jail time as well. Controversy erupted when Jefferson's Capitol Hill office was raided by the FBI after numerous requests for cooperation failed. Jefferson was also re-elected despite the investigation. He was removed from key committees by the Speakers Office pending the investigation. The Ethics committee is expected to convene to consider the seriousness of the charges. Jefferson is not likely to be expelled from congress unless he is convicted. Another congressman from Ohio was recently expelled from congress for corruption and bribery convictions. He is currently serving prison time in PA.