Monday, December 28, 2009

Former NYS Supreme Court Justice Sentenced

A former state Supreme Court justice was sentenced to 27 months in prison after being convicted of attempted extortion and bribery charges.

U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe handed down the sentence to Thomas Spargo following his conviction on the charges in August.

At the sentencing, Sharpe told Spargo that “for a judge there is nothing more reprehensible,” according to a press release by the U.S. Department of Justice.

“Fair and impartial judgment by those entrusted to carry out the laws is the bedrock of our legal system,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer. “When those sworn to uphold the law violate it, they will be held accountable.”

“We cannot and will not allow the public’s faith in our legal system to be shaken by judicial corruption,” Breuer added.

Full Article and Source:
Ex-Judge Gets 27 Months in Prison

7 comments:

  1. AMEN !!!!!

    somebody clone that US Atty.

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  2. Spargo isn't the first, and hopefully, he won't be the last!

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  3. I agree Tim, standing ovation and applause to: Assistant U.S. Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer who prosecuted this case to a very successful conclusion when
    U.S. District Court Judge Gary Sharpe handed down the prison sentence to Thomas Spargo the defendant will feel the fear that he justly deserves.

    Thank you NASGA this is a good way to end 2009 ~ justice is sweet!

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  4. I guess I cannot say enough about Barb Johnson's book "Behind the Bloack Robes --- Failed Justice" because the book screams loudly to abolish judicial immunity, and this case speaks volumes about why doing so is so important.

    "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" ---- and year of believing in his immunity is what empowers these judges to believe they are entitled to an "aura of deism".

    Myself -- I am a fan of the dissenting opinions of Justices' Stuart, Powell and Blackmun from Stump v Sparkman ---- where they called for outright public intimidation of Indiana judges... said it would serve the public interest.

    I think we should all make a trip to NY and visit the judge while he is in jail .... I will put $1.50 on his books --- the guy is going to need some commissary, I would think anyhow ---

    Happy New Year to all

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  5. When I see these stories, I wonder how many complaints were filed with the Judicial Conduct Board before something was done -- how many people suffered until justice caught up???

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  6. Think they took away his pension? That they rarely do no matter what a judge does....

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