Virginia's Sullied Image - Racist, Homophobic, and Now Corrupt

Virginia already has image problems with many parts of America and the rest of the world.  The state has a reputation as being among the most anti-gay in the country.  And then there's the increasingly obvious racism of the Republican Party of Virginia that new voter ID laws have helped to underscore.  And Loving v. Virginia will forever be an indictment of the state's racist past. But up until now, rightly or wrongly, Virginia retained an image of not being outright corrupt.  With the indictment of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his Marie Antoinette like wife, now Virginia joins the ranks of politically corrupt states.  A column in the Richmond Times Dispatch looks at this:

The federal indictment Tuesday of former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, seems more an exercise in voyeurism than law enforcement. It’s that unseemly. It’s also historic, shattering Virginia’s reputation for honest, well-mannered government. A governor in irons is an image associated with Maryland, Tennessee, Louisiana, Connecticut and Illinois.

A disputed dietary supplement, Anatabloc is the brainchild of Jonnie R. Williams Sr., flamboyant former chief of financially troubled Star Scientific Inc. Williams saw gold in Anatabloc. To realize any riches required legitimizing his product, affixing to it the imprimatur of respected scientists and public officials. And that meant Williams needed friends in high places. So did Bob and Maureen McDonnell, but for different reasons.

The 43-page indictment depicts the McDonnells as practically destitute — tapped out by the expense of educating five children; of later marrying off two daughters; by investing in pricey resort real estate that would become a black hole; of keeping up appearances. Their difficulties were in full flower even before Bob McDonnell was sworn in as governor in January 2010.

It might have been avoided, the indictment suggests, had she listened to the people on whom the governor relied to protect his image as the earnest public official.  

Until the McDonnell indictments, federal criminal entanglements were a rarity for Virginia elective officials. 

[A]n elaborate scheme unfolded — one in which the government of Virginia, following enthusiastic assurances by Maureen McDonnell to Williams, pledged to support his money-losing company. 

While others have not mentioned it, McDonnell joins a list of discredited Regent Law School graduates.  Apparently, Pat Robertson is good at indoctrinating religious extremism, but not so good at stressing common ethics and ethical behavior.

Witnesses Against Kagan Include Head Of Conspiracy-Mad Law Firm

One has to wonder what the Hell the GOP is trying to do in terms of some of the utter loonies that have been called as opposition witnesses against Elana Kagan's nomination to the U. S. Supreme Court. I have commented before on Klan loving Tony Perkins' testimony against Kagan. Another utter crazy is William J. Olson, Esq. (pictured at left) of William J. Olson, P.C. -- a law firm that is heavily involved in all sorts of conservative cause celebres, from the standard-issue, to the totally bonkers - and which includes Herbert Titus, the founding dean of Pat Robertson's Regent Law School and father of Troy A. Titus, a Regent Law graduate, just sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for real estate and wire fraud. Huffington Post looks at the insanity of this GOP witnesses insanity. Here are some highlights:
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Of particular interest is one witness who will be testifying against Kagan, William J. Olson, Esq. of William J. Olson, P.C. -- a law firm that is heavily involved in all sorts of conservative cause celebres, from the standard-issue, to the totally bonkers.
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Olson's lent his services to a pair of high-profile cases in the past year. His firm has filed amicus briefs in the Citizens United case as well as the recently decided Supreme Court case that overturned Chicago's gun ban. Olson's firm has also taken up the quixotic Tea Party cause to recall New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez. From there, however, things take a turn for the outlandish. Highlights include:
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The Search For Fort Knox Gold! An organization called the Gold Anti-Trust Action Committee (GATA) is worried that the U.S. Government has been secretly flooding the market with gold from Fort Knox in order to keep it's value low. Well, Olson's firm has taken up the cause:
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Jesus Will Cure Your Cancer With Food Supplements! Olson's co-counsel, John S. Miles, took up the cause of Daniel Chapter One, a Christian Ministry that ran afoul of the FTC for running advertisements for miracle cancer cures "with Web headlines like 'Brain Tumor Gone!' and on a two-hour weekday Internet radio program filled with virulent attacks on contemporary medicine." In response to the appeal, FTC lawyer Elizabeth K, Nach said the First Amendment does not apply to commercial speech that is deceptive.
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You Just Knew There Would Be Some Birther Junk Up In The Mix! Another one of Olson's co-counsel's, Herb Titus, shows up on this article on the birther-mad website WorldNetDaily: A one-time vice presidential candidate who is considered an expert on the U.S. Constitution says it is up the electors from the 50 states to make certain President-elect Barack Obama is a natural-born U.S. citizen before they cast votes for him in the Electoral College Dec. 15.
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"If they do their duty, they would make sure that if they cast a vote for Mr. Obama, that Mr. Obama is a natural-born citizen," Herb Titus, the Constitution Party's running mate to Howard Phillips in 1996, told WND today.
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As a former Republican from a family of Republicans, I can only wonder what's in the water that these members of the GOP are drinking? Or does one now need to be certifiably insane to be a modern day Republican? Oh, and for the record, I have serious doubts about Kagan and I assisted the FBI in Troy Titus' prosecution.

Bond Revoked for Former Regent Law Dean's Son

The brazenness of those who go about proclaiming their Christian faith while meanwhile swindling people never ceases to amaze me. A case in point, Troy Titus, son of the founding dean of Pat Robertson's Regent Law School, who surrendered his law license in 2005 to avoid disbarment. Past news coverage has indicated that Titus read the Bible or attended church with some of his victims in order to gain their confidence and ultimately their money. Facing 49 indictments he has now had bail revoked for defying the terms of his release on bond. I may be a "godless faggot" in the eyes of Christianists, but my rule is that when someone starts talking about religion in a business setting, you'd better cover your wallet and run. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

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While sitting in jail, facing a federal investment fraud indictment, disbarred attorney Troy A. Titus reached out to several individuals, including one-time Olympic superstar Tim Montgomery, with proposed investment deals, prosecutors say. After getting out of jail on bond last fall, Titus went to work for an investment firm earning $7,000 to $10,000 a month, a job that a judge had forbidden him from working, according to court records in the case.

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After hearing this evidence on Tuesday, a federal magistrate judge revoked Titus' bond and ordered him jailed pending trial, which is scheduled for Oct. 6. Titus faces a 49-count indictment alleging a series of mail, bank and wire frauds involving real estate deals. Federal prosecutors say Titus defrauded around $2 million from a number of clients, including R&B star Teddy Riley and his one-time Blackstreet partner Chauncey Hannibal.

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Bradberry said that he had heard evidence of Titus' violations at a hearing two weeks ago concerning Titus' finances. After learning that Titus was earning $7,000 to $10,000 a month at an investment firm, the government had moved to force Titus to pay for his public defenders. However, that issue turned moot once Titus went to jail Tuesday. Bradberry, who had set the conditions for Titus' release on bond last fall, said he "did not want him involved in the business world in any way."

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Titus said nothing through Tuesday's hearing and was not called to testify. When it was over, federal marshals led him away in handcuffs.

Former Regent Law School Dean Pleads Guilty of Forceable Sodomy

Christo-fascist Pat Robertson likes to mind everyone else's business and speaks out against LGBT citizens regularly. Perhaps he ought to spend a bit more time minding his own university. Back in June I did a post concerning charges against Stephen McPherson (at left), a one time Regent Law School assistant dean, who was charged with sexual abuse of young girls. Now McPherson has pleaded guilty on Friday in Chesapeake Circuit Court to sexually abusing children. Yet another shining example of the overly pious, self-righteous folks at Regent not practicing what they preach. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot on this latest development:

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Stephen McPherson, a former Regent University law school assistant dean, pleaded guilty Friday in Chesapeake Circuit Court to sexually abusing children. McPherson, 39, of Chesapeake entered guilty pleas to two counts of forcible sodomy and two counts of object sexual penetration. He is set to be sentenced May 22.

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McPherson faces five years to life on each count. Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Karen Brown and Minna Sandwich agreed to withdraw nine other felonies against McPherson in return for his pleas.

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There was no agreement on a potential sentence, except that prosecutors will recommend a cap of 18 years and six months. McPherson must wear an electronic monitoring device while free on bond pending sentencing. The judge ordered him to undergo a psychosexual exam and to have no contact with the victims.

Regent Law School Attorney Indicted for Real Estate Fraud

Former attorney and Regent Law School graduate, Troy A, Titus, has been arrested on a federal indictment, charging him with defrauding at least $1.5 million from former clients. One of Titus' tactics to gain clients' trust is reported as taking them to dinner, taking them to church and praying with them and talking up his religious faith. In my experience as an attorney, whenever an attorney talks about religion in the context of their legal representation of a client, the smart thing to do is run and watch your wallet as you flee. Here are some highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

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The FBI on Tuesday arrested disbarred lawyer Troy A. Titus on a federal indictment, charging him with defrauding at least $1.5 million from former clients, including onetime R&B star Teddy Riley. Agents arrested Titus, 42, at his Chesapeake home about 7 a.m. following a lengthy investigation into his real estate dealings. Titus made a brief appearance that afternoon in U.S. District Court, where the 10-count indictment was unsealed.

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The indictment says Titus solicited funds from clients for real estate projects by making false representations and promises as to where the money would be invested. In addition, according to the indictment, Titus used "funds obtained from one set of investors or other sources to make 'lulling' payments to other investors" in order to create a false impression that funds were invested properly and yielding profits. . . . Earlier this year, The Pilot reported that Titus faced at least a dozen lawsuits from former clients who claim he bilked them out of a total of between $2 million and $3 million.

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Titus also is accused of preying on a widow. Doris Addenbrook and her husband, Robert, had been longtime Titus clients. When Robert Addenbrook died in 2001, "Titus began dining with Doris, taking her to church and praying with her, activities he had never previously engaged with Doris," the indictment says. "He told Doris that he wanted to ensure that she would have no further worries," the papers say.

Regent Law School Grad at Center of Justice Department 'Misconduct'

While I have and continue to know some very capable and ethical graduates of Regent Law School, many others are in my opinion right wing ideologues, religious fanatics and/or in a few case outright crooks who hide behind a smoke screen of religion to lure prey whom they can fleece of their money. Thus, it is no surprise that as reported by the Washington Post and the Virginian Pilot, the Office of the Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility have found that Regent Law grad, Monica Goodling, was at the center of the illegal activities within the selection process of personnel at the Justice Department. Goodling apparently cared nothing about complying with the law and did everything to select conservative political hacks and Christianist nutcases for appointments.

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Sadly, in my opinion, this is all too typical of these "Christians" who are some of the biggest frauds and hypocrites one can ever encounter. Virginia's extreme right wing Attorney General, Bob McDonnell, is a Regent Law grad and he definitely seems incapable of separating far right religious dogma from his civil law duties. That Regent Law School produced Goodling and others of her ilk is to me not the least bit surprising. I believe that sadly Goodling is representative of the typical Regent Law School graduate notwithstanding that some honest and capable attorneys have managed to come out of the school. One can only hope that Goodling and others involved will be prosecuted and convicted for their subversion of the law. Goodling - and McDonnell for that matter - in my view is Exhibit A as to why Christianist should not hold public office since they cannot separate their extreme religious views from the civil laws. Disbarment might be an appropriate punishment as well. Here are some highlights from the Pilot's coverage:

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For nearly two years, a young political aide sought to cultivate a "farm system" for Republicans at the Justice Department, hiring scores of prosecutors and immigration judges who espoused conservative priorities and Christian lifestyle choices. That aide, Monica Goodling, a 1999 graduate of the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, exercised what amounted to veto power over a wide range of critical jobs, asking candidates for their views on abortion and same-sex marriage and maneuvering around senior officials who outranked her, including the department's second-in-command.

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An extensive report by the department's Office of the Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility concluded Monday that Goodling and others had broken civil service laws, run afoul of department policy and engaged in "misconduct," a finding that could expose them to further scrutiny and sanctions. The report depicted Goodling as a central figure in politicizing employment decisions at the Justice Department during the Bush administration.

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Thirty-four candidates told investigators that Goodling or one of her deputies raised the topic of abortion in job interviews and 21 said they discussed same-sex marriage, the report said. Another job applicant said he admired Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, only to watch Goodling frown and respond, "But she's pro-choice." She and her aides regularly gave candidates for career civil service jobs a form designed for political appointees that sought information on party affiliation and financial contributions. When job seekers sometimes raised objections, Goodling replied that the form was a mistake, showing that she was "aware that it was improper," the report said.

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Current and former department lawyers said they were appalled by the deep reach of the political hiring, which affected hundreds of rejected job seekers and as many as 40 immigration judges who were recruited under the political criteria. Those judges may remain on the bench because their career civil service jobs carry significant employment protections.

Virginia Attorney General (a/k/a Taliban Bob): America still grounded in Christian morality

Despite losing the Virginia Senate last week and seeing their hold on Virginia Beach begin to slip, the Christianists in the Virginia GOP continue on their fantasy that church and state are one in the same. The latest proponent of this myth is Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, also known as "Taliban Bob" from his involvement in the lynching equivalent of a black female judge who was not reappointed to the bench a few years back due to rumors that she might be lesbian. Of course, when asked at the time whether he had ever violated Virginia's sodomy statute - which was subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court's ruling in Lawrence v. Texas - McDonnell said "not that he could recall."

Meanwhile, McDonnell sat on information I furnished (I still have the e-mail exchanges) to him concerning former Congressman Ed Schrock's "Mega Phone problem" for some eight months before Schrock was ultimately outed by Mike Rodgers at BlogActive.com. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot's coverage of Taliban Bob's latest comments:

America remains grounded in Christian morality and religious faith, as intended by the nation's founders, Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell said today at the annual Hampton Roads Leadership Prayer Breakfast. “Our founders talked a lot about divine providence,” McDonnell said to a crowd of several hundred at the Norfolk Scope exhibition hall. “By divine providence would America be guided, and I think that is still true.”

In his speech, McDonnell said America was “ordained” as a nation, and he called Hampton Roads “hallowed ground” because of the Christian-oriented English settlers who arrived here 400 years ago. McDonnell also affirmed his personal Christian faith and the Bible as a guiding force in his life. He said that as a person of faith in public service he follows the biblical “Golden Rule” of mutual respect for other people.

McDonnell also glorified the United States as “the most prosperous nation the world has ever known,” with the best health care and “the most courageous men and women in uniform of any nation.” “What do we have to complain about when we look at the big picture?” he said. “We forget the history of blessings God has given us in our lives.”

McDonnell has ambitions to be Governor someday. Obviously, I hope he is unsuccessful in this quest since he cannot separate his religious beliefs from the civil laws. Not surprisingly, McDonnell is a graduate of Pat Robertson's Regent Law School.

What is the real face of Regent's law school?

Apparently, in the wake of the Monica Goodling disaster at the U. S. Department of Justice, Regent Law School is trying to improve it's image. Leave it to the Virginian Pilot to do a piece like this one that tries to de-emphasize Regent's Christianist agenda (http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=126866&ran=91097). I have met the author of the article who is not a bad guy per se. However, when it comes to investigative reporting, the Pilot seems to have never heard of the term. Even when Congressman Ed Schrock was "outed," Virgina newssource.com beat the Pilot in breaking the story in the Pilot's own backyard.

Here are my thoughts on attending Regent Law School that I posted on the Virginian Pilot's web site (assuming they are not censored):

I suspect many of Regent Law's better students went to the school because it allows part time students while the other law schools in Virginia generally do not. Hence someone can work a regular job and go to law school part time. For such students, attending Regent Law may seem attractive. However, in the legal community, Regent does not have a good image or reputation and the average pass rate on the bar exam is anything but stellar. Graduates may find out that they will have a difficult time landing a job in a top law firm or corporation with a Regent Law diploma.

While I know some Regent Law graduates that I consider competent and honest, far too many wear religion on their sleeves and use their "Christian" label to either gain jobs with far right organizations or politicians like Monica Goodling or to attract clients who would be better served employing more competent attorneys.

America's Christian Taliban - Part Two

Monica Goodling is scheduled to testify today before the House Judiciary Committee about the firings of U. S. Attorneys, under an offer of immunity, thereby blunting her attempt to invoke the 5th Amendment protection against self-incrimination.
"All I ever wanted to do was serve this president, this administration, this department," Goodling tearfully told a senior Justice official shortly before she quit, according to a transcript of his interview released by the House committee last night.
The reality is that Goodling had no business whatsoever being put in a high level position in the Justice Department. She is an inexperienced political hack from Pat Robertson’s Regent University Law School, a 4th tier Christianist law school, that historically has the worse failure rate on the Virginia Bar Exam of any law school in the state. Here’s the Washington Post’s description of Goodling:

A 1999 graduate of Regent University law school in Virginia Beach with six months of prosecutorial experience, Goodling was among a small coterie of young aides to Gonzales who were remarkable for their inexperience and autonomy in deciding the fates of seasoned Justice Department lawyers, according to current and former officials who worked with the group.

2004, Goodling spent six months in the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District of Virginia, in a special program designed to give Justice employees and other government lawyers a chance to gain courtroom experience. Reviews of her tenure there are mixed. Three current or former Justice officials said she quickly developed a reputation for having an antagonistic and sharply ideological style.

Sadly, the Bush administration has hired 150 Regent Law Law graduates, obviously putting extremist religious and/or political ideology ahead of competence. It is truly frightening what has happened in this country to religious freedom and civil rights under Chimperator Bush and his administration.

Divorce Wars - Continued

The divorce wars continue. Now I have learned that my estranged wife wants to have her attorney take the depositions of both me and the b/f. She has a fantasy that I/we are hiding money from her. Needless to say, the b/f is not happy and her sitting by as her attorney questions him will be drama of the highest caliber. The reality is that her expectations of what I should pay her (ideally forever) far exceed my financial reality. In her mind – I guess much like that of former Gov. McGreevey’s wife – I should be endlessly punished for “what I did to her.”

Especially abhorrent to her is the idea of a full time job, even though she has an M. Ed. from the University of Virginia and all but a dissertation for a Ph.D. from UVA. I guess nearly 30 years of being supported in a rather decent style counts for nothing. Our next hearing on the spousal support issue should be interesting because it is again before the judge who cut her Pat Robertson Regent Law School grad attorney off at the knees when she tried to “play the gay card.” Fortunately, my ex-wife has fired that attorney (who appeared to enjoy gay baiting me) and has hired a new attorney who hopefully will be more able to grasp my financial reality.

While I greatly love and value my kids and would not want them not in my life, my advice to closeted gays who have not yet married and are debating what to do is: REALLY THINK TWICE ABOUT IT!!!!! The pain, sense of guilt (which, on the plus side, my ex-wife has thoroughly killed in me from her viciousness and refusal to be realistic) and emotional baggage may be more than you bargain for. The "ex-gay" advocates of the Christianist far right seem to care nothing for the damage done to the both the straight spouse and the gay spouse when the doomed battle to make one's self straight inevitably fails.

I so want this process over so that I can fully go on with my new life as a gay man. And, in all sincerity, I truly do want my ex-wife to move on in her life and for her to find happiness. In my view, dwelling on punishing me, keeps her from reaching that goal.