Home > Political Insider > Archives > 2007 > October > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHank Johnson says he wants to examine Charles Walker’s conviction
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson is expressing doubts about the prosecution of former state Senate majority leader Charles Walker of Augusta.
The U.S. House Judiciary Committee, controlled by Democrats, has added Walker to a list of those alleged to have been selectively prosecuted by a Bush-controlled Justice Department.
The most prominent name on the list belongs to former Alabama governor Don Siegelman.
Walker — once the most politically powerful African-American in Georgia — was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of stealing from a charity he set up, bilking his newspaper’s advertisers, forcing Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital into using his personnel services business and misrepresenting ownership in companies doing business with the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta.
Walker’s son, Champ, called over the weekend to tell us his dad would be placed on the list. It’s all about getting a peek at the personnel file of former U.S. Attorney Rick Thompson of Savannah, who initiated the investigation — but was canned for improperly using his office for partisan purposes. Another federal prosecutor took up the cause.
Johnson, of DeKalb County, is a member of the judiciary committee. He said the Walker case “bears investigation” because of the long litany of charges that Walker faced.
“I wondered about his innocence before I even became a congressman,” Johnson said.
Comments
By drjay
October 24, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
doesn’t your own editor think walker was a horribly corrupt politician—i’m not sure what “selective prosecution” is, but i fail to see whatbearing it would have on the man’s guilt or innocence. the jury did not “selecively convict” him.
By Bagman
October 24, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Another black politician trying to get a black crook out of jjail….what’s new. Meanwhile, blacks are robbing and killing whites all over this state. Johnson had better get his priorities straight. Either the “black leaders” get their people under control, or we’ll start to handle it.
By Roy
October 24, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Hello??? The rumors about Walker’s shenanigans began long before Bush took control. I remember people saying how crooked he was back in Walker’s heydey under Barne’s & Taylor while both those bozo’s looked the other way. I’m no fan of the Bush administration, but for reality sakes, Walker is just one more greedy/dishonest politician who doesn’t want to accept responsibility for their actions.
By RJ
October 24, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Bagman, We are not affraid of you and your kind.
Roy, rumors are one thing and facts are another. Do you want to be convicted based upon rumors?
The foregoing said, I don’t see how this merited investigation will undo Walker’s conviction. His appeal will rise or fall on the strength of the reasoning put forth. The investigation will connect some dots that need to be connected. The guy who initiated the Walker prosecution had a close Perdu connection…he gave generously to Perdue’s first campaign for Governor and Perdue has since appointed him an administrative judge. It’s no secret Walker and Perdue are political and personal foes. Quite interesting that Walker was investigated for three years and the fact based allegations pertaining to Perdue’s land deals and customized tax breaks have not been investigated. Is it because the federal prosecutor a Republican and so is Perdue? Is it because Thurbert Baker has no back bones?
The presiding Judge would not allow Walker’s lawyers to scrutinize the federal prosecutor’s office… another in a series of actions that raise questions.
By GodHatesTrash
October 24, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this
Walker was and is a s-cumbag, but he’s pretty average as far as criminality goes for a Georgia politician.
Trash elects trash.
By Ole Chuck Walker
October 25, 2007 2:20 AM | Link to this
RJ is actually right on one thing: Thurbert Baker has no backbone. But when it comes to Charles Walker, he was born to personify the word “sleazeball”. Every elected Dem in the state knew Walker was up to incredibly shady and illegal activities, but hey, he sure could bring in the votes, so what’s a little corruption?