NEW YORK: Former Sen. Pedro Espada Pleads Guilty To Tax Fraud

All that rosary-waving and Catholic voodoo failed former New York state Sen. Pedro Espada today when he finally pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts of tax fraud related to the government-funded health clinics his family operated. He faces over seven years in prison and is free until sentencing is finalized.

Espada was at the center of the two most tumultuous years in the history of the state Senate and had described the 2010 indictment by the U.S. attorney's office and then-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as a political "witch hunt." The scandal cost him his Senate seat. Espada started Soundview in 1978 in the South Bronx, which is located in one of the poorest counties in the U.S. In the past three decades, the clinic grew to include four centers that provide health care and social services. "Instead of buying an MRI machine, he was going to Puerto Rico and raiding the mini-bar," U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch, Eastern District NY, said Friday.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mick)

RELATED: Espada is the third former New York Senator to be sentenced to prison this year. All three are Democrats. And all three played a role in the 2008 debacle that, for the time, had blocked same-sex marriage for New York state. (The remaining douchebag of that infamous quartet is Ruben Diaz.)  Still awaiting trial is another Democrat from the New York Senate, Shirley Huntley, who was arrested last month on corruption charges.  Huntley also originally voted against same-sex marriage and lost her Democratic primary in September.

NEW ORLEANS: Nine Anti-Gay Preachers Arrested At Southern Decadence

Nine anti-gay preachers were arrested Saturday as they protested at Southern Decadence.

Patrick O'Connell, 45, Rolando Igleasias, 31, Cesar Chavez, 22, Daniel Hoogerhuis, 26, Danny Guevera, 20, Larry Craft, 52, Montes Diego, 32 and Gary Brown, 33 were arrested on suspicion of aggressive solicitation, a city law passed last October. The ordinance prohibits "any person or group of persons to loiter or congregate on Bourbon Street for the purpose of disseminating any social, political or religious message between the hours of sunset and sunrise." Another man, Justin Craft, 31, was arrested on suspicion of battery, resisting an officer and interfering with a law enforcement investigation. Craft allegedly punched an officer when he attempted to confiscate his bullhorn. Witnesses said the incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. outside Tropical Isle.

Former MI Assistant Attorney General Ordered To Pay Gay Man $4.5M

Former Michigan Assistant Attorney General Andrew Shivrell has been ordered to pay a gay man $4.5M in damages after waging a vicious homophobic internet campaign against him.

The U.S. District Court jury ruled in favor of Christopher Armstrong, who claimed he suffered distress after a blog created by Andrew Shirvell accused him of enticing minors with alcohol and recruiting people to become homosexual. "I'm just incredibly humbled by what happened today," Armstrong told The Associated Press. "This is truly a victory — not just for myself, but for a lot of other kids out there." Shirvell, who was representing himself, said the jury award was "grossly excessive" for what was "clearly protected speech ... and activity." "This should have been thrown out," he said, adding that he plans to appeal. "Juries give short shrift to First Amendment rights." Armstrong accused Shirvell of defamation as well as emotional distress for his actions on the blog, in Facebook posts and during visits to the Ann Arbor campus. Then-Attorney General Mike Cox fired Shirvell in 2010 after he criticized Armstrong, who graduated last year.

Armstrong had offered to drop the suit if Shirvell would apologize.

BREAKING: Jury Finds Preacher Guilty Of Kidnapping Daughter Of Lesbian Mom

Finally we have some (partial) resolution in the case of Lisa Miller, the "ex-gay" mom who kidnapped her daughter to Nicaragua rather than obey multiple court orders that awarded custody to her former partner. Via the Hartford Courant:

A Mennonite minister was found guilty on Tuesday of aiding and abetting international kidnapping by helping a woman flee to Nicaragua with her daughter to evade court orders giving visitation rights to her former lesbian partner. The case has drawn widespread attention as gay rights groups and evangelical Christian groups have taken opposing sides in the legal battle between the two women over Isabella Miller-Jenkins, now 10. Federal prosecutors say Kenneth Miller of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, helped orchestrate Lisa Miller's flight to Canada and Nicaragua in 2009 with her daughter out of Christian solidarity with her decision to reject homosexuality and her former partner. The two Millers are not related. The jury deliberated only a few hours before finding Kenneth Miller guilty. He faces the possibility of three years in prison. No sentencing date was set.

I said "partial" because NOW we need to see some felony conspiracy counts for Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver and his accomplices.

Prison For Maryland Televangelist

Infamous Maryland-based televangelist Robert Freeman, known on television as Dr. Shine, has been sentenced to prison for doing what all televangelists do.

Robert J. Freeman, a.k.a Dr. Shine, is going to jail for 27 months and was ordered to pay $630,000 to four church members. The Washington Post reports that the ‘Gods Top Gun of deliverance’ pastor lied to bankruptcy courts and hid the church’s assets in order to avoid paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in debts. Freeman, 56, also convinced church members to take out loans for his multiple cars and $1.75 million waterfront home with five fireplaces, a jet-ski lift and two four-car garages. When the church could not cover the bills, church members were on the hook for the debt, and in some cases lost their homes and jobs. Freeman served as pastor and leader of Save the Seed Ministry, Inc., Save the Seed International Church, and Seed Faith International Church, with his then-wife, Dee Dee. These entities were incorporated in 1991, 2001 and 2003, respectively. Shortly after February 2001, Freeman used funds from church members to accumulate substantial assets, including 11 luxury cars valued at over $1,073,000 and a $1.75 million residence in Indian Head, Maryland, which he concealed from the bankruptcy court when he sought a discharge of his debts from the court in 2005.

Freeman's church promo has been a source of internet hilarity for many years.

PHILADELPHIA: Top Catholic Official Sentenced To Prison For Abuse Cover-Up

Monsignor William Lynn was sentenced to three to six years in prison today by a Philadelphia court for his role in hiding years of child molestation by priests under his command. Lynn is the first-ever American Catholic official ordered to prison for shielding pedophiles but not committing any abuses himself.

“You knew full well what was right, Monsignor Lynn, but you chose wrong,” said Common Pleas Judge M. Teresa Sarmina as she imposed the sentence, which was just short of the maximum of three and a half to seven years. Monsignor Lynn, 61, a former Cardinal’s aide, was found guilty on June 22 of one count of endangering a child, after a trial lasting more than two months that revealed an effort lasting decades by the Philadelphia archdiocese to play down accusations of child sexual abuse and avoid scandal. Monsignor Lynn served as secretary for clergy for the 1.5 million-member archdiocese from 1992 to 2004, recommending priest assignments and investigating abuse complaints. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that he had shielded predatory priests, sometimes transferring them to unwary new parishes, and lied to the public to avoid bad publicity and lawsuits.

Lynn's lawyers immediately vowed to appeal the sentence, arguing that the statute of limitations had expired on the priests who committed the crimes while under his supervision. Stand by for Bill Donohue's howls of outrage.

VIRGINIA: Gay Judge Appointed

Despite his rejection by Virginia General Assembly, openly gay prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland has been appointed to the district court bench.

Thorne-Begland, whose appointment by Richmond Circuit Court judges will begin July 1, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “I am humbled by the circuit court’s decision.” “I look forward to serving the citizens of the city of Richmond as a jurist and, over the coming months, I hope that my service provides comfort to all Virginians that I remain committed to the faithful application of the laws and constitutions of Virginia and the United States of America,” he said.

The Assembly is expected to renew their objection when the next legislative session begins.

Zimmerman's Wife Arrested For Perjury

George Zimmerman's wife was arrested today and charged with perjury for collaborating with her husband to shield the couple's finances from the court.

According to an affidavit, Shellie Zimmerman transferred more than $74,000 to her personal account days before the bond hearing. Taped phone calls between the couple revealed that they had discussed the money transfers in code to hide the funds, according to the affidavit. The calls also showed that George Zimmerman instructed his wife to "pay off all the bills,'' including payments to American Express and Sam's Club. Nearly $50,000 was transferred to an account held by Zimmerman's sister.

Mrs. Zimmerman was released after posting bail.

Disgraced Former NY Sen. Pedro Espada Found Guilty On Embezzlement Charges

Waving a rosary to ward off "evil spirits" proved useless for former New York Sen. Pedro Espada, who was today found guilty of embezzling over $500,000 from the Bronx health clinic he managed.

Espada sat stone-faced when he was found guilty of ripping off the clinic. His wife, Connie, looked stricken and appeared near tears. Before the verdict was read, Brooklyn Federal Court Judge Frederic Block warned everybody to behave. “I don’t want any ruckus or noise because they are not finished with their service," the judge said of the jury. Prosecutors, however, were giddy. And when they left for lunch, loud cheers could be heard coming from their elevator. But the government didn’t get everything it wanted. The jury, which struggled for 11 days before finally giving up, failed to reach a verdict on the fifth theft count against Espada for stealing nearly $80,000 from Soundview in 2009. Nor was it able to reach a verdict on the three conspiracy counts against Espada.

Espada is the third former New York Senator to be sentenced to prison in the last two months. All three are Democrats. And all three played a role in the 2008 debacle that, for the time, had blocked same-sex marriage for New York state. The remaining douchebag of that infamous quartet is Ruben Diaz.

KENTUCKY: Guilty Pleas In First-Ever Federal Anti-Gay Hate Crime Prosecution

Two of the teenagers charged in the nation's first-ever federal anti-gay hate crime case pleaded guilty today in a Kentucky court.

Alexis Leeann Jenkins and Mable Ashley Jenkins, who goes by Ashley, pleaded guilty to one charge of kidnapping and one charge of aiding others in causing bodily injury to Kevin Pennington of Letcher County because he is gay. The convictions are the first in the nation under provisions of the federal law covering crimes of violence motivated by a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, according to U.S. Attorney Kerry B. Harvey. The two face possible life sentences. The circumstances of their pleas, however, could indicate they plan to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of getting lesser sentences.

The two agreed to be charged by way of a document called an information — as opposed to an indictment, which would require a grand jury to approve the charges — and pleaded guilty the same day the charges were filed. Their attorneys, Robert Michael Murphy of Lexington and James Hibbard of London, declined comment on whether the women, both 19, will cooperate in prosecuting two others charged in the case. Both women are to be sentenced in August.

The two women were accused of luring a gay man to a planned lethal beating by their two male accomplices. The victim escaped into the woods during the attack and survived. The two men have pleaded not guilty and face life in prison.

NORTH CAROLINA: "Dozens Of Deputies" Descend On Home Of Shotgun Boy

Charlotte television is reporting that local police took the actions of Shotgun Boy extremely fucking seriously. Just posted by WSOC-ABC Channel 9:

If Wiles was looking for attention, he got it. The video was spotted by opponents of the amendment who shared the link on Twitter. Then, dozens of sheriff’s deputies showed up at his home. “Our biggest concern was public safety. We had to make sure this wasn’t someone who planned to go out and hurt someone,” said Sgt. Tessa Burchett. Deputies said they don’t think Wiles intends to hurt anyone, but they do believe Wiles took the sign to shoot it. At this point, he has been cited with injury to property.

Doris and Boyd Ausmann, who live down the street from Wiles, said they support Amendment One, but believe the teen went too far. “I think the way you should handle it is going to the polls and cast your ballot,” said Doris Ausmann. “This stuff here is childish,” her husband added. “It is redneckish. It doesn’t accomplish anything.”

Deputies said what happened is also a valuable lesson to other teens. “Unfortunately, people don’t realize the permanence of posting videos and pictures online,” Burchett said. The video has been removed from YouTube. County officials said its investigation is not over. There is a county ordinance that deals with using firearms near other homes. Officials are also looking into the possibility of additional charges.

I'll add the station's video to this story when it becomes available.

UPDATE: Here's another report from WBTV-CBS Channel 3.

Wiles is still facing punishment from the video. After discussing the case with the District Attorney, Wiles was cited for discharging a firearm within close proximity to a residential district. He could face an additional citation as well for destroying the sign, deputies say, but they must clearly identify a victim, or owner of the sign. They say, so far, it has been difficult to locate. "It's unfortunate that as technically savvy as our youth are today, they still have no idea what "global" means," deputies told WBTV. "He truly thought only his circle of friends would see it and thought it would just be funny."

Connecticut Repeals Death Penalty

The Death Penalty In America

Texas is responsible for one-third of all executions since 1976.

New York To Collect DNA From Felons AND Those Convicted Of Misdemeanors

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature have agreed to expand the mandatory collection of DNA samples to include both felons AND those convicted of misdemeanors. New York will be the first and only state to demand such samples from those convicted of petty crimes.

The bill Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to sign passed overnight Wednesday in the Legislature. It would require collecting a saliva swab from everyone convicted of any felony and all but one misdemeanor statewide starting Oct. 1. The legislation would also expand defense access to the databank in efforts to exonerate suspects through pretrial discovery and post-conviction applications to judges. "I think it will do what I describe as serve as both a sword and a shield," said Sen. Stephen Saland, a Poughkeepsie Republican and sponsor. "It will enable gathering more DNA for purposes of apprehending more people. It will provide, I believe, for greater public safety." He said it would also clear some criminal suspects. All states take DNA from most felons and most also get samples from people convicted of misdemeanor sex crimes.

Shoplifters, turnstyle-jumpers, and pot smokers: OPEN WIDE.

BRITAIN: Guilty Verdicts For Three Men Charged With Stirring Anti-Gay Hatred

After distributing leaflets calling for the execution of homosexuals, three Muslim men have just been found guilty in the first-ever trial under Britain's revised Public Order Act, which now outlaws inciting anti-gay hatred and violence.

Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed handed out the pamphlet, called The Death Penalty?, which showed an image of a mannequin hanging from a noose and quoted Islamic texts that said capital punishment was the only way to rid society of homosexuality. They were convicted at Derby Crown Court of distributing threatening written material intending to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. It is the first prosecution of its kind since legislation came into force in March 2010. Mehboob Hussain and Umar Javed, who were also charged with the same offence, were found not guilty by the jury. The leaflets were given to people outside a mosque and posted through letterboxes in the Normanton area of the city. The men admitted distributing the flyers but claimed they weren't "threatening" and denied they were designed to cause trouble for homosexuals.

One of the men charged told the court that is was his "duty as a Muslim to spread what God says about homosexuality. The references on the leaflets are historical facts and quote from the Koran." Those convicted face a sentence of up to seven years in prison and an "unlimited fine."

Gingrich: Courts Are Too Powerful

HIV Is Not A Crime

Out Lesbian Confirmed As Federal Judge Despite Strong GOP Opposition

Without a single vote from any Republican, today the U.S. Senate narrowly approved the nomination of Alison Nathan to the federal bench. Chris Geidner reports at Metro Weekly:

Nathan, an out lesbian, will be the second out lesbian federal judge with lifetime tenure in the country, joining U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Batts on the bench of the Southern District of New York. White House spokesman Shin Inouye praised the Senate action, writing, "The President welcomes the confirmation of Alison Nathan. She will serve the American people well from the District Court bench." Five members of the Democratic caucus did not vote for Nathan's nomination, and no Republicans voted for it. Less than three months ago, U.S. District Court Judge J. Paul Oeken, was confirmed with the support of 28 Republicans. Oetken also sits on the Southern District of New York bench and currently is the only out gay male judge serving in one of the lifetime tenure positions in the federal judiciary.

GOP Sen. Jeff Sessions spoke against Nathan's confirmation, saying she would be an "activist judge" who would be more likely to follow the laws of foreign countries.

MONTANA: Leading Anti-Gay Activist Charged With Six Felony Fraud Counts

Pastor Harris Himes (above, at the microphone), the most well-known anti-gay activist in Montana, has been charged with six felony counts of theft and fraud related to a business scheme he allegedly orchestrated with another pastor.

Ravalli County Sheriff Chris Hoffman said Harris Himes turned himself in Wednesday morning after learning that there was a warrant for his arrest. District Judge James Haynes issued bench warrants on Tuesday for Himes and James "Jeb" Bryant after attorneys for the state Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance filed six felony charges against the two. The charges included theft, fraud, conspiracy to commit both, failure to register a security and failure to register as a salesman of same. According to court records, Himes and Bryant claimed to own a business, Duratherm Building Systems, and promised at least one investor a large return on his $150,000. But the investor claimed to have never received any returns or confirmation of sale, nor could he get his money back.

According to the above-linked story, Harris frequently testified and campaigned against proposed pro-gay legislation. We know him here on JMG as part of the Not In My Bathroom anti-transgender rights group.

In February of this year I posted video of Himes testifying that homosexuality was a "sin worth of death" and therefore gay people should not be allowed to rent homes in Montana. Thanks to Himes and others, Montana's state legislature then passed a bill outlawing all LGBT rights laws, at any level in the entire state.

RELATED: Himes is also the president of the far fringe-right Montana Eagle Forum and in his dual role as pastor/lawyer he performs pro bono work on behalf of the anti-gay Alliance Defense Fund. He blogs at Andrew Breitbart's Big Government site.

UNRELATED: Two nutjob anti-gay whackos taken down on the same day! I am chortling until my chortler is sore! O frabjous day, indeed!

(Tipped by JMG reader and Montana activist D. Gregory Smith, who often battled Himes. Read Smith's account of today's news.)

Hurrah For The Justice System