Why aren't politicians/organizations prosecuted for alleged crimes

Factual Questions
1

(Perhaps this belongs elsewhere but …)

Today the Washington Post reported that Donald Trump used funds from one of his charities to pay for legal fees associated with his for-profit businesses. The article claims this is likely illegal.

This is maybe the sixth time or more I’ve heard in the last election cycle of a politician (not just Trump) or party organization or other supporters doing something that appears illegal.

But I never hear of any prosecution. What happens to these alleged illegalities? Do they all just prove upon inspection to be false? Or do they just get a walk?

2

In that particular case, the article states that the punishment for self-dealing is typically repayment of the funds from the proper accounts plus a penalty assessed by the IRS; as opposed to criminal prosecution. It’s right there in the fifth or sixth paragraph.

There are other cases in which politicians are prosecuted, and sometimes convicted. Congressman William Jefferson, Senator Ted Stevens, and Congressman Duke Cunningham are some examples that come immediately to mind.

3

You don’t? Have you read a newspaper in the last few years?

[ul]
[li]Rod Blagojevich[/li]
[li]Kwame Kilpatrick[/li]
[li]Sheldon Silver[/li]
[li]Dean Skelos[/li]
[li]Dennis Hastert[/li]
[li]Chaka Fattah[/li]
[li]James Traficant[/li]
[li]Bob McDonnell[/li]
[/ul]

That’s off the top of my head, and just in the last few years! And it barely scratches the surface of politicians who have been convicted of corruption charges - those are the more prominent examples.

Honestly, it’s amazing how often we manage to put twerps like this in jail.

4

While Trump is outrageously corrupt, and certainly should not be President …

But this specific case seems to be a little iffy.
It looks to me that equally corrupt were the Palm Beach government officials – they agreed to allow Trump to settle a fine (owed to the city taxpayers) by donating (at a 20% discount from the fine owed) to a private charity. No doubt that is a favorite charity of somebody in Palm Beach government, but it is still diverting money from the taxpayers to a private charity.

A donation from the Trump Foundation to a charity is not illegal. It was the quid-pro-quo of the city government forgiving his fines in exchange for this donation that seems corrupt.

5

Have you had your hearing checked lately?

6

There was also John Edwards, who twice ran for President and was the Democratic nominee for V-P in 2004. He was prosecuted for violating federal election laws. Acquitted in one count and a hung jury on the other counts. The prosecution decided not to try again.

Still, shows that charges can be brought against some of the highest-ranking politicians.

7

Let’s not forget Spiro Agnew in the list of prominent prosecuted politicians. He should have been convicted of more than just tax evasion.

Chris Christie should also be prosecuted, but he may avoid it.

8

Moderator Note

Let’s keep these types of political shots out of GQ. Those who have opinions about Trump (or Clinton) may express those opinions in the Elections forum. Stick to the facts in GQ.