June 26 Conference at National Press Club About DOJ Political Prosecutions Features Rep. John Conyers, Don Siegelman, Scott Horton, and Former Alabama Federal Judge Clemon

      

Experts from Congress and federal courts along with defendants and legal commentators will discuss evidence before the Judiciary Committee that the Bush administration targeted defendants on the basis of political party. Elected Democrats were seven times more likely to be investigated than GOP officials, according to a leading study.

Former Democratic Georgia State Sen. Majority Leader Charles Walker's prosecution is one topic of the forum. Last month, his trial judge recused himself after Walker proved an appearance of bias. Earlier, DOJ forced the resignation of his first prosecutor for misconduct. At the conference, Walker's son Charles plans to announce a national campaign to protest mistreatment of similar defendants around the nation. "These cases must be investigated," says Walker, a former congressional candidate. "The biggest scandal in American politics is prosecution misconduct against Democrats, which is just as indefensible as racial bias."

Confirmed speakers:

Alabama's former Gov. Don Siegelman, a Democrat who was convicted on corruption charges during a second trial in 2006. The next year, a Republican whistleblower provided evidence of a conspiracy to eliminate Siegelman from politics.

Retired Chief U.S. District Judge U.W. Clemon ofBirmingham will discuss his recent letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder saying that Siegelman's first prosecution was "the most unfounded criminal case over which I presided during my entire judicial career" of nearly 30 years.

Law professor and Harper's columnist Scott Horton, will discuss his vehement criticism of the political prosecutions.

Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA), chair of Judiciary's crime and competition subcommittee.

Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Oliver Diaz, twice acquitted in prosecutions that imprisoned trial lawyer Paul Minor.

Puerto Rico State Senate Minority Whip Eduardo Bhatia, representing acquitted former Gov. Anibal Acevedo.

Also, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron, Project Save Justice Executive Director Gail Sistrunk, discussing the group's video, "The Political Prosecutions of Karl Rove;" Investigative reporter Andrew Kreig; and McClendon Group President John Hurley.

Sponsors include civil rights groups as Alliance for Justice, Project Save Justice, and Velvet Revolution. Speakers will be available for interviews.

www.velvetrevolution.us

SOURCE VelvetRevolution.us