Rookie120 0 #1 December 13, 2007 QuoteTeams of federal agents swooped down on up to 10 close associates of the Rev. Al Sharpton Wednesday, demanding the flamboyant clergyman's financial records since 2001. Sharpton's former chief of staff said he was roused at his Harlem home about 6:30 a.m. by two FBI agents who handed him a subpoena to bring the records to a federal grand jury the day after Christmas. Several employees of Sharpton's National Action Network also got wakeup subpoenas to testify before the Brooklyn panel, the rabble-rousing reverend's lawyer said. The FBI and IRS are investigating whether Sharpton improperly misstated the amount of money he raised during his 2004 White House run to illegally obtain federal matching funds, a source familiar with the probe said. Sharpton, although forced to return $100,000 in matching taxpayer funds after an investigation two years ago, denied any wrongdoing at the time. The feds are also looking into allegations of tax fraud, including whether Sharpton commingled funds from his nonprofit National Action Network with several of his for-profit ventures, the source said. Lawyer Michael Hardy shrugged off the probe, which sought a vast array of business, political and personal records, as a federal fishing expedition. "I can't think of a time when the Rev. Sharpton wasn't under investigation," he said. Sharpton was not among those subpoenaed in the synchronized sweep of friends and employees. "It was like a sting or a raid," said Carl Redding, who spent eight years as the head of Sharpton's staff. "They converged on everybody." As many as 10 people were subpoenaed, Redding said. The court papers also sought a wide range of financial records, from invoices of expenses paid by cash to cash receipts to bad debt records from the years 2001 to 2007. Sharpton's quixotic run for the Democratic presidential nomination has raised questions of financial impropriety - including charges that he spent campaign funds on swanky hotels. In April 2005, Sharpton denied allegations that he failed to report tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash to the Federal Election Committee. Sharpton's associates were summoned to testify before the grand jury on the morning after Christmas. The subpoenas additionally called for them to provide the IRS with all financial records from the campaign and a half-dozen Sharpton-related businesses. Personal finance records from Sharpton and his wife, Kathy, were also sought by investigators. A Sharpton spokesman said the reverend, who pleaded guilty in 1993 to a misdemeanor for failure to file a tax return, would assist with the probe. "What I would tell you is that what the National Action Network has done, and will continue to do, is cooperate and comply," said Charlie King, a spokesman for the network. Redding, a restaurateur, said he was surprised by the subpoena, because he left his position as Sharpton's chief of staff in 1998. "They wouldn't tell me what the investigation was about," Redding said. I laughed my ass off when I was reading this. I think the first thing they should try to figure out is what is this guys job! Unless shakedown artist is considered a job now.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zipp0 1 #2 December 13, 2007 Quote what is this guys job! Uh, he's a Reverend. It's right there in his name! -------------------------- Chuck Norris doesn't do push-ups, he pushes the Earth down. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #3 December 13, 2007 QuoteUh, he's a Reverend. It's right there in his name! Riiiiiight! I keep forgetting that.If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #4 December 13, 2007 >I think the first thing they should try to figure out is what is this guys job! Politician! Do you need any more explanation than that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #5 December 13, 2007 Al Sharpton is a real 'class' guy! Before becoming a 'reverand', he was a dope dealer and made-up the Tawana(sp) Brawley 'story. I think, he should be sure his back porch is 'clean' before complaining about someone elses! What goes around... comes around. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #6 December 13, 2007 >and made-up the Tawana(sp) Brawley 'story. Well, he didn't make it up, she did. Heck, even Bill Cosby supported her at first, and he's not known for his extremism. But Sharpton was gullible enough to buy into it 100%, and didn't back down even when presented with evidence that it was untrue. A case of seeing exactly what you want to see in a story. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #7 December 13, 2007 Quote>and made-up the Tawana(sp) Brawley 'story. Well, he didn't make it up, she did. Heck, even Bill Cosby supported her at first, and he's not known for his extremism. But Sharpton was gullible enough to buy into it 100%, and didn't back down even when presented with evidence that it was untrue. A case of seeing exactly what you want to see in a story. He saw 'fame'. That was going to shoot him to the top. It worked! I don't guess, that's really any worse than what most political hopefuls do or have done. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #8 December 13, 2007 >He saw 'fame'. That was going to shoot him to the top. It worked! Fortunately it DIDN'T work! Remember, he has attempted to run for senator, governor and president. Had he won any of them - that would have been a disaster. As long as he remains on the sidelines he can say whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned - no one takes him seriously any more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #9 December 13, 2007 Quote>He saw 'fame'. That was going to shoot him to the top. It worked! Fortunately it DIDN'T work! Remember, he has attempted to run for senator, governor and president. Had he won any of them - that would have been a disaster. As long as he remains on the sidelines he can say whatever he wants as far as I'm concerned - no one takes him seriously any more. I'll put it this way... it got him 'attention'. You're right! He is, entitled to his opinion and I'm sure, we'll hear more of it. That's not to say, we have to accept it. I never took him seriously. Since the 'Imus fiasco', we haven't heard any more on his 'fight' to clean-up rap, either. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHusband 0 #10 December 13, 2007 speaking of imus, where can i get imus christmas cards? they have a pic of don on the front and it says "ho ho ho" and on the inside it says "have a nappy new year". i've heard talk of them, but haven't been able to find any. "Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama www.kjandmegan.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #11 December 13, 2007 QuoteAl Sharpton is a real 'class' guy! Before becoming a 'reverand', he was a dope dealer… I've known "dope dealers" that were complete jackasses, and I've know "dope dealers" that were truly first class people. I've known "dope dealers" that could be accurately classified somewhere in the middle. I can say exactly the same thing about law abiding citizens that don't so much as drive faster than the posted speed limit. The point is, being a "dope dealer" offers zero insight into the character of a person. They may be, by definition, criminals, but not all laws are just, nor are all law abiding citizens "class" people.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
masterrig 1 #12 December 13, 2007 QuoteQuoteAl Sharpton is a real 'class' guy! Before becoming a 'reverand', he was a dope dealer… I've known "dope dealers" that were complete jackasses, and I've know "dope dealers" that were truly first class people. I've known "dope dealers" that could be accurately classified somewhere in the middle. I can say exactly the same thing about law abiding citizens that don't so much as drive faster than the posted speed limit. The point is, being a "dope dealer" offers zero insight into the character of a person. They may be, by definition, criminals, but not all laws are just, nor are all law abiding citizens "class" people. I see your point. I've known a few 'highly respected' folks who were complete ass-holes, too. I know, it's never, ever, ever, ever, going to be a perfect world... we just have to deal with it and live in it the best we can. I was told as a kid; "life ain't fair!" You just have to deal with it. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rookie120 0 #13 December 13, 2007 Quote Politician! Do you need any more explanation than that? Touche!If you find yourself in a fair fight, your tactics suck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #14 December 13, 2007 QuoteI was told as a kid; "life ain't fair!" You just have to deal with it. So true.Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
micro 0 #15 December 13, 2007 Quote speaking of imus, where can i get imus christmas cards? they have a pic of don on the front and it says "ho ho ho" and on the inside it says "have a nappy new year". i've heard talk of them, but haven't been able to find any. dear lord that made me pee my pants!! I miss Lee. And JP. And Chris. And... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lastchance 0 #16 December 13, 2007 Holy cow. You seem to know alot of dope dealers I may be getting old but I got to see all the cool bands. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jcd11235 0 #17 December 13, 2007 Quote Holy cow. You seem to know alot of dope dealers Well, not all at one time or in one place! Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
