Those of you who are familiar with this blog are familiar with Troy King's difficulties paying his staff. I've written repeatedly about Chris Bence, the Chief of Staff who is actually a paralegal, bringing home $104,400 a year, even though he has no training as a paralegal. Then, there is the "executive assistant" who went from an unpaid intern to making $57,000 over the course of 10 months.
Well, it turns out that this executive assistant sure plays a lot of roles, including some which may be downright unethical. A source has informed me that Troy King's assistant has gone to GOP field school and regularly receives salary even while attending political events. Apparently he was at Troy King's big fundraiser in Washington recently.
Here's the problem--the state of Alabama is paying the AG's office to fight crime and send the bad guys to jail, not for a young man to campaign for his boss. These sorts of activities have gotten public figures into trouble in the past, and it's time to demand a stop to it.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Troy and John McCain: A Match Made in...?
I suppose it's Washington season in Alabama politics. Not to be outdone by the fundraiser held for his opponent hosted by Alabama's senators, King decided to hold his own DC fundraiser with none other than Sen. John McCain. That's an interesting choice, for several reasons.
First, I don't think John McCain is exactly who to go to when your "conservative" credentials are being called into question. Many conservatives believe that Senator McCain lost to President Obama in 2008 by refusing to stand up to government bailouts and fight for traditional conservative objectives. He has long been a maverick within his own party, and his substantial loss in 2008 is definitely not a bright spot in the party's history.
Second, it's somewhat ironic that Troy King would appear with Senator McCain over a year after a really interesting interaction with the McCain campaign. As I have expressed before, I don't dabble in idle rumors or gossip. However, last year Troy King was the head of McCain's Alabama Leadership Committee. Then suddenly, the next day, all mention of Troy King's name was removed from John McCain's website. It corresponded with a series of rumors about Troy King's sexual life, along with other scandals relating to ethical violations.
I suppose all is well in 2009, and the difficulties of 2008 have been forgotten, at least in Troy's world. However, in the real world, McCain just brings back bad memories, for conservative Republicans and of Troy King's actions as AG.
First, I don't think John McCain is exactly who to go to when your "conservative" credentials are being called into question. Many conservatives believe that Senator McCain lost to President Obama in 2008 by refusing to stand up to government bailouts and fight for traditional conservative objectives. He has long been a maverick within his own party, and his substantial loss in 2008 is definitely not a bright spot in the party's history.
Second, it's somewhat ironic that Troy King would appear with Senator McCain over a year after a really interesting interaction with the McCain campaign. As I have expressed before, I don't dabble in idle rumors or gossip. However, last year Troy King was the head of McCain's Alabama Leadership Committee. Then suddenly, the next day, all mention of Troy King's name was removed from John McCain's website. It corresponded with a series of rumors about Troy King's sexual life, along with other scandals relating to ethical violations.
I suppose all is well in 2009, and the difficulties of 2008 have been forgotten, at least in Troy's world. However, in the real world, McCain just brings back bad memories, for conservative Republicans and of Troy King's actions as AG.
Troy's GOP Problem
The story on al.com this weekend screamed BREAKING NEWS, and the headline was just as damning in what has proven to be a few difficult weeks for Troy King. It read: "Republican AG King's top foes: Top GOP Figures." The story went on to summarize King's struggles in recent weeks with fellow Republicans, including Governor Riley as well as US Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby. Additionally, the bi-partisan Alabama District Attorneys Association has criticized King.
Perhaps the biggest news last week was the announcement that Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby were hosting a fundraiser and supporting King's GOP primary opponent, Birmingham lawyer Luther Strange. This is a big surprise, given that top GOP officials are often reluctant to openly endorse candidates in a primary. Sen. Shelby then followed suit by cutting Troy's opponent a $25,000 check.
Now, Troy King has downplayed this. He has noted that he cares more about the people out in front of Wal-Mart instead of in Washington. On behalf of all those Alabamians who frequent Wal-Marts, let me say this: just as we send Troy King to Montgomery, we also send Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions to Washington. Both of our senators have received the votes of Alabamians because they have represented the conservative issues people care about. Just think for a moment about Sen. Sessions' stands in the Senate against irresponsible immigration reform and in favor of greater fiscal discipline. What about Senator Shelby's work to oppose the federal bailout which was so unpopular throughout the nation? We sent these men to Washington because we respect their judgment. Senator Sessions is himself a former prosecutor and Attorney General of Alabama. He has the experience to understand that office, and he clearly seems to believe that it would be better-served under new leadership.
Troy King can spin the news any way he wants, but he can't spin the fact that this has been one difficult week to be Troy King.
Perhaps the biggest news last week was the announcement that Senators Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby were hosting a fundraiser and supporting King's GOP primary opponent, Birmingham lawyer Luther Strange. This is a big surprise, given that top GOP officials are often reluctant to openly endorse candidates in a primary. Sen. Shelby then followed suit by cutting Troy's opponent a $25,000 check.
Now, Troy King has downplayed this. He has noted that he cares more about the people out in front of Wal-Mart instead of in Washington. On behalf of all those Alabamians who frequent Wal-Marts, let me say this: just as we send Troy King to Montgomery, we also send Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions to Washington. Both of our senators have received the votes of Alabamians because they have represented the conservative issues people care about. Just think for a moment about Sen. Sessions' stands in the Senate against irresponsible immigration reform and in favor of greater fiscal discipline. What about Senator Shelby's work to oppose the federal bailout which was so unpopular throughout the nation? We sent these men to Washington because we respect their judgment. Senator Sessions is himself a former prosecutor and Attorney General of Alabama. He has the experience to understand that office, and he clearly seems to believe that it would be better-served under new leadership.
Troy King can spin the news any way he wants, but he can't spin the fact that this has been one difficult week to be Troy King.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Troy King's Other National News Story
Over the past several weeks, Troy King has tried his hardest to get his name in the news, and not just any news--the national news. By now, a lot of us have heard about his big conversation on NBC about the Gabe Watson case. Kudos to Troy for getting his own way to visit the Big Apple; I guess he could take off from fighting crime in Alabama today.
Of course, Troy King made some other national news this week, this time coming from Washington. The Washington Times had an interesting editorial today on the impact of trial lawyers in Alabama politics. You can read the story here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/20/alabama-clips-trial-lawyers/
This, frankly, is yet another sad story in the long set of stories about these private contracts. In case you're not familiar with my posts on the subject, here is the gist of the problem. A state is wronged by a particular corporation, and they decide to sue the corporation for damages. Well, this has become increasingly common. Conservatives have long opposed this, because it means in many cases that the government is actively trying to sue private corporations, and it can lead to excessive lawsuits. Basically, if I'm a poor state with a budget shortage, what better way to gain needed funds than by taking on a private business? The AG's office can then sue, and they can choose to have some of their own attorneys handle the case, or they can hand the case off to private attorneys who take on the case for a share of the winnings. Troy King has done this on Medicaid fraud in Alabama.
The problem is that this has NEVER ended well, when these private attorneys have been used. Let's face it--the AG is a LEGAL officer, meaning that he has clear ties to the LEGAL community. That community can contribute funds to his campaign in order for state business. This has caused problems in Georgia, West Virginia, New York, and a handful of other states which have applied it. Now, Alabama joins the crowd. It has also been criticized by conservative scholars at the Federalist Society as well as Judge Bill Pryor, a former GOP Alabama AG.
Troy, unfortunately, has failed on both counts. First, it appears that his lawsuits have been excessive, tackling private industry in an economic crisis in an attempt to put money in the state general fund. At least, that's what the Alabama Supreme Court (a pretty darn conservative body) thought when they ruled 8-1 to dismiss hundreds of millions of dollars in jury verdicts. Additionally, Troy King has given these contracts to liberal trial lawyers who supported his campaign. In return, the liberal trial lawyers get lucrative contracts worth millions of dollars.
The Times story tries to track Troy King's contributions, but they are shady, in part due to Alabama Political Action Committee law. Basically, I can choose to give to a candidate as an individual or through a political action committee. As an individual, I go on the record, and anyone can see who I am. However, PACs are much shadier, because members donate funds to remain anonymous. In Alabama, actually, it's an all-out shell game. If I am a rich trial lawyer, I would give my money to a PAC, which would then give money to another PAC, and then another, and finally another PAC would then get the money and cut a check to the AG. By this time, the money is almost impossible to trace.
I've looked at some of Troy King's contributions, and there are certainly some interesting correlations. For instance, in late September 2006, Beasley-Allen law firm wrote two checks totaling either $4900 or $5000 (depending on how you read the sloppy handwriting on the documents) to the Free Enterprise PAC. Less than two weeks later, King's campaign received a $5000 contribution from that PAC. Another example is the Home Care PAC. On October 4, Beasley Allen contributed $10,500 to the PAC. Just over a week later, Troy King received a $7500 donation from the PAC. Over the course of a campaign, many candidates receive literally hundreds of PAC contributions, and it is difficult to track them on. However, as the story points out, there are some very interesting correlations.
Kudos to the Times for looking into this issue.
Of course, Troy King made some other national news this week, this time coming from Washington. The Washington Times had an interesting editorial today on the impact of trial lawyers in Alabama politics. You can read the story here: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/20/alabama-clips-trial-lawyers/
This, frankly, is yet another sad story in the long set of stories about these private contracts. In case you're not familiar with my posts on the subject, here is the gist of the problem. A state is wronged by a particular corporation, and they decide to sue the corporation for damages. Well, this has become increasingly common. Conservatives have long opposed this, because it means in many cases that the government is actively trying to sue private corporations, and it can lead to excessive lawsuits. Basically, if I'm a poor state with a budget shortage, what better way to gain needed funds than by taking on a private business? The AG's office can then sue, and they can choose to have some of their own attorneys handle the case, or they can hand the case off to private attorneys who take on the case for a share of the winnings. Troy King has done this on Medicaid fraud in Alabama.
The problem is that this has NEVER ended well, when these private attorneys have been used. Let's face it--the AG is a LEGAL officer, meaning that he has clear ties to the LEGAL community. That community can contribute funds to his campaign in order for state business. This has caused problems in Georgia, West Virginia, New York, and a handful of other states which have applied it. Now, Alabama joins the crowd. It has also been criticized by conservative scholars at the Federalist Society as well as Judge Bill Pryor, a former GOP Alabama AG.
Troy, unfortunately, has failed on both counts. First, it appears that his lawsuits have been excessive, tackling private industry in an economic crisis in an attempt to put money in the state general fund. At least, that's what the Alabama Supreme Court (a pretty darn conservative body) thought when they ruled 8-1 to dismiss hundreds of millions of dollars in jury verdicts. Additionally, Troy King has given these contracts to liberal trial lawyers who supported his campaign. In return, the liberal trial lawyers get lucrative contracts worth millions of dollars.
The Times story tries to track Troy King's contributions, but they are shady, in part due to Alabama Political Action Committee law. Basically, I can choose to give to a candidate as an individual or through a political action committee. As an individual, I go on the record, and anyone can see who I am. However, PACs are much shadier, because members donate funds to remain anonymous. In Alabama, actually, it's an all-out shell game. If I am a rich trial lawyer, I would give my money to a PAC, which would then give money to another PAC, and then another, and finally another PAC would then get the money and cut a check to the AG. By this time, the money is almost impossible to trace.
I've looked at some of Troy King's contributions, and there are certainly some interesting correlations. For instance, in late September 2006, Beasley-Allen law firm wrote two checks totaling either $4900 or $5000 (depending on how you read the sloppy handwriting on the documents) to the Free Enterprise PAC. Less than two weeks later, King's campaign received a $5000 contribution from that PAC. Another example is the Home Care PAC. On October 4, Beasley Allen contributed $10,500 to the PAC. Just over a week later, Troy King received a $7500 donation from the PAC. Over the course of a campaign, many candidates receive literally hundreds of PAC contributions, and it is difficult to track them on. However, as the story points out, there are some very interesting correlations.
Kudos to the Times for looking into this issue.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Troy King and Victims: Justice for Desta
As y'all know, I have criticized Troy King for his positions on victims rights. For those who may not remember my claim, it is a simple one. I have argued that by focusing on particular victims and particular cases which are high-profile and sure to generate media attention, he actually does very little to solve the systemic problems which actually hurt victims. There are many victims of many crimes each year, and it is impossible to personally know them all. However, those in elected office ought to work to solve difficult cases and bring violators to justice.
Well, last week I stumbled on an interesting blog, which you can also visit. It's http://justicefordesta.org, and it is devoted to Desta Dodson-Byrd of Brierfield, Alabama, who was killed on February 25, 1999. Over ten years later, no one has been brought to justice, even though there apparently is a suspect in the case.
The blog published a letter to Troy King on October 2 after his big trip to New York to talk about the Gabe Watson Australia case. The entire letter is worth a read, but I found these paragraphs particularly compelling:
"Mr. King, it's really simple. Yes, it's sad that Watson was so lightly punished, but he was, in fact, punished. And it was done by the authorities who have obvious jurisdiction. You don't have jurisdiction. Not over the Watson case anyway.
Well, last week I stumbled on an interesting blog, which you can also visit. It's http://justicefordesta.org, and it is devoted to Desta Dodson-Byrd of Brierfield, Alabama, who was killed on February 25, 1999. Over ten years later, no one has been brought to justice, even though there apparently is a suspect in the case.
The blog published a letter to Troy King on October 2 after his big trip to New York to talk about the Gabe Watson Australia case. The entire letter is worth a read, but I found these paragraphs particularly compelling:
"Mr. King, it's really simple. Yes, it's sad that Watson was so lightly punished, but he was, in fact, punished. And it was done by the authorities who have obvious jurisdiction. You don't have jurisdiction. Not over the Watson case anyway.
But Desta, she was murdered in your fair state, our fair state. And when you were approached just a few months back by people pleading for you to do something, anything, to help find justice for Desta, you didn't even muster up the polite lip-service they'd expected to get from you. Perhaps justice or your concern for it is only for the tv cameras, or maybe there has to be a trip to the big city, the really big city, before you can be too very concerned."
I think these folks understand the situation. There are problems in this state which make it hard for victims of crime to see offenders brought to justice, and those problems should be solved. Perhaps we need more investigators, or we need more crime-fighting technology. These are legitimate priorities, and any AG should make certain that these things are provided for. King, on the other hand, has simply gone to the press conferences and done the tv interviews. Anyone can stand in a suit at a press conference. It takes a true leader, on the other hand, to fight the crime. It's a shame that Troy King has been willing to do the press conferences, without becoming a true leader.
Monday Update: Nancy Worley, Ctd...
I was almost shocked at the irony that in the same week I write that Nancy Worley's case has disappeared from the state political scene, she up and reappears. The AP reported from Montgomery last week that a panel of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals could not agree on the validity of the felony charges pressed by King. Although we don't know how the judges actually split, three judges have to agree, and the three reviewing the issue were not unanimous.
So, what is the problem with this picture? As The Huntsville Times noted in the piece I cited last week, Worley would have had to answer for the corruption charges had King pursued the misdemeanor charges after the felony charges were thrown out. However, he continues a foolhardy attempt to get his felony charges reinstated, only to have a court leave them out...two years later.
This is the problem with our AG. A true conservative AG would be devoted to two principles--he would focus on ending corruption and getting results. The two principles are very closely related, and unfortunately, Troy King can talk about corruption all he wants out on the trail. He just hasn't gotten the results.
So, what is the problem with this picture? As The Huntsville Times noted in the piece I cited last week, Worley would have had to answer for the corruption charges had King pursued the misdemeanor charges after the felony charges were thrown out. However, he continues a foolhardy attempt to get his felony charges reinstated, only to have a court leave them out...two years later.
This is the problem with our AG. A true conservative AG would be devoted to two principles--he would focus on ending corruption and getting results. The two principles are very closely related, and unfortunately, Troy King can talk about corruption all he wants out on the trail. He just hasn't gotten the results.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Ouch! Troy King Lawsuits Exposed
By now, those familiar with the AG campaign have heard it a million times. Troy King is a taxpayer hero for hiring big-time private trial lawyers and rewarding them with lavish contracts in order to sue pharmaceutical companies for Medicaid fraud. King has repeatedly trumpeted this action in press releases and attacked conservatives who have criticized this process.
Well, for someone who prides themselves on supporting conservative judges and principles, it must have been a bit of a shock to Troy King to see more than $274 million in these verdicts thrown out by the predominately-conservative Alabama Supreme Court last week. The vote was not even close, as the Court voted 8-1 to throw out the verdicts. This has to be a bit of a rebuke, both of King's conservative principles and for his decision to hire private trial lawyers altogether.
To the first point, King repeatedly prides himself as a conservative. He has trumpeted his support for conservative judges, and he has repeatedly refused to take actions which are arguably constitution and would benefit the state (enforcing gambling laws, ending the process of sheriffs pocketing money for prisoner meals, etc.) because it would supposedly overthrow his legitimate authority. He has regularly said that his role as AG is not to make law, but to enforce it. Some of this may be true enough, but either way, an 8-1 decision against King by the state's highest Court also calls his existing policies into question.
Conservatives have criticized state AGs who have hired private attorneys to engage in these sorts of lawsuits. Now, it appears that this was all for naught.
It's interesting, because this was one of the big reasons Troy King said we should re-elect him in 2010. He has repeatedly trumpeted his work to get this money into the state's General Fund. Now, it appears that this has fallen by the wayside, as well. We're still 8 months out from a primary, and already Troy King is running short on any reasons to send him back to Montgomery in 2010.
Well, for someone who prides themselves on supporting conservative judges and principles, it must have been a bit of a shock to Troy King to see more than $274 million in these verdicts thrown out by the predominately-conservative Alabama Supreme Court last week. The vote was not even close, as the Court voted 8-1 to throw out the verdicts. This has to be a bit of a rebuke, both of King's conservative principles and for his decision to hire private trial lawyers altogether.
To the first point, King repeatedly prides himself as a conservative. He has trumpeted his support for conservative judges, and he has repeatedly refused to take actions which are arguably constitution and would benefit the state (enforcing gambling laws, ending the process of sheriffs pocketing money for prisoner meals, etc.) because it would supposedly overthrow his legitimate authority. He has regularly said that his role as AG is not to make law, but to enforce it. Some of this may be true enough, but either way, an 8-1 decision against King by the state's highest Court also calls his existing policies into question.
Conservatives have criticized state AGs who have hired private attorneys to engage in these sorts of lawsuits. Now, it appears that this was all for naught.
It's interesting, because this was one of the big reasons Troy King said we should re-elect him in 2010. He has repeatedly trumpeted his work to get this money into the state's General Fund. Now, it appears that this has fallen by the wayside, as well. We're still 8 months out from a primary, and already Troy King is running short on any reasons to send him back to Montgomery in 2010.
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