He Who Needs No Linkage had two stories posted the other day, back to back, that caught my eye. In the first, a (now former) TSA agent was convicted of stealing five laptop computers and a Sony PlayStation from travelers' bags. He was given three years probation.
In the other story, an IRS agent has been arrested and charged with stealing $160,000 in unclaimed tax refunds from a dozen taxpayers.
In both these cases, the accused was not only a government employee, not only exploiting their power as a government employee, but using their authority to enforce the law to steal from citizens and enrich themselves.
There's a legal term for this kind of crime -- "under color of law" -- and is's woefully underused. There ought to be enhanced penalties for government agents who break the laws they are supposed to be enforcing. Mandatory jail sentences. Restitution plus. Forfeiture of not only all benefits accrued, but of future government benefits.
Our government needs the citizens' trust in order to function. Acts like these two above erode that faith. For that kind of damage, for violation of that level of trust, the penalties must be commensurate.
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Comments (10)
Except that for the fact th... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Gmac | December 19, 2010 5:08 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Except that for the fact that they are members of the 'protected class' and just like the DUI cop that got busted for mowing down a group of motorcyclists in Indy, they'll always skate.
1. Posted by Gmac | December 19, 2010 5:08 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 17:08
2. Posted by VaGal | December 19, 2010 5:15 PM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
I do believe some of the acts of Congress would also fall under that category.
2. Posted by VaGal | December 19, 2010 5:15 PM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 17:15
3. Posted by LiberalNitemare | December 19, 2010 5:41 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Geez, if we started holding public servants accountable for their actions, there's no telling where that would stop.
3. Posted by LiberalNitemare | December 19, 2010 5:41 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 17:41
4. Posted by GarandFan | December 19, 2010 5:58 PM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Congress doesn't even have to follow the laws they pass for the rest of us; why expect anyone to be "held accountable".
4. Posted by GarandFan | December 19, 2010 5:58 PM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 17:58
5. Posted by 914 | December 19, 2010 6:22 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
More shovel ready czars for Barrys regime.
5. Posted by 914 | December 19, 2010 6:22 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 18:22
6. Posted by jim m | December 19, 2010 8:40 PM | Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
"Geez, if we started holding public servants accountable for their actions, there's no telling where that would stop."
In 1793-1794 the French did that. The Reign of Terror took between 16,000 and 40,000 lives. They were a little excessive in their zeal.
6. Posted by jim m | December 19, 2010 8:40 PM |
Score: 1 (3 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 20:40
7. Posted by Tsar Nicholas II | December 19, 2010 10:33 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sadly I don't think anyone got the 'Heavy Metal' reference.
7. Posted by Tsar Nicholas II | December 19, 2010 10:33 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 19, 2010 22:33
8. Posted by Evil Otto | December 20, 2010 7:45 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Sadly I don't think anyone got the 'Heavy Metal' reference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq6_Q7gIaBE
8. Posted by Evil Otto | December 20, 2010 7:45 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 20, 2010 07:45
9. Posted by Jon | December 20, 2010 12:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Let the punishment fit the crime."
The TSA agent should get a full-on groping every time he flies.
The IRS Agent should be randomly audited from now on until the end of his life.
9. Posted by Jon | December 20, 2010 12:46 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 20, 2010 12:46
10. Posted by hcddbz | December 20, 2010 4:00 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Just enforce the existing LAWS. Lex Rex. It works "throw the book" at them. We got hundred of thousands of laws charge these guys for ever count and each rule they violated.
If there needs to be one more law borrow it from the UCMJ and change conduct unbecoming to apply to any public servant. In fact let change some things around and just be every public official subject to new version of UCMJ and start to reduce all the other laws. If it good enough for men and women who bleed for this country it should be good enough for the people they serve to protect.
10. Posted by hcddbz | December 20, 2010 4:00 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 20, 2010 16:00