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Return to Article: NEWS+ANALYSIS On the Hook

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  This trial is the biggest to-do over absolutely nothing and an incredible waste of tax-payer money. Thousands of man hours were spent researching years of emails and hours of interviews and not one free meal or "favor" was ever found. If you think about the premise that Safavian paid for a trip he could have received as free, and then the prosecutors suggest Safavian did some big favor for Abramoff in return for the trip. This big favor ends up that Safavian just gave Abramoff general info to steer him in the right direction to get information on leasing some government property for his kid's school, but the property was in fact never leased, and never even contracted for, so where is the beef??? There were no cash payments, no free meals, no lucrative jobs, no nothing. Safavian took his responsibilities seriously, always working overtime-giving his best to improve the fairness and efficiency of federal procurement, and also even spent much of his private time volunteering in the community. He did not deserve to have his life ruined over playing a little golf with a friend who disappointed him. If so, there are about 300 more that need to be put on trial. If ever a case deserved a Presidential Pardon, this is it!! (preferably before more thousands of tax dollars are wasted on another kangaroo court trial)

  Karen Southgate Posted December 3, 2008 9:53 PM
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  This case has truly descended into McCarthyism-esque realms. The Justice Dept is behaving much in the same way as the prosecuter in the Duke lacrosse team rape case. Enough is enough. Let the man move on with what is left of his life. He has suffered more than the equivalent of two years in jail already: loss of job, loss of prospects to support his family, etc. It's a joke. To think and state a different opinion (when you don't know the man or the facts -- as I do) is admitting your own stupidity and 'jump on the bandwagon'-like-group-think.

  Citizen Posted December 2, 2008 11:16 AM
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  Look he was a CS and everyone knows we are not accountable to the taxpayers. So back off once this stuff starts that means we all could be held accountable. Just look at NSPS holding DOD workers accountable!! Its a slippery slope we are CS and we report to NO ONE!!!

  dan ketter Posted December 2, 2008 11:05 AM
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  Those people in positions to affect government money are given ethics training. It's easy to forget the training if you are in a culture that is used to accepting gifts that shouldn't be accepted. The only way to prevent precidents is to go after those who step over the line. The rules are in place for a reason and they are violated by those who should be the role model of behavior, our supposed leaders. I don't feel sorry for this guy.

  AMS Posted December 2, 2008 10:35 AM
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  There are no big fish helping David Safavian. I am not a defender of the Bush Administration, but I have read the indictments and the defense filings as well and I see nothing of substance that indicates that Safavian committed a crime. An examination of the facts without all of the everything-associated-with-Abramoff-is-automatically-evil basis is long overdue.

  Small Fish Posted November 28, 2008 12:15 AM
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  I say, keep probing...he knew better...and I don't feel sorry for him in the least bit. One only has to look at the 'possible gains' Safavian would have been received if he was not caught..all at the cost of the taxpayer...

  FedUp Posted November 26, 2008 1:30 PM
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  They're right: the Justice Department should move on - AFTER Safavian is safely behind bars for no fewer than 18 months. It amazes me the lengths people go to in order to try & paint this Bush crony as a victim. Good grief - give me a break! Lock him up & get it over with. It would mark one of the few instances of genuine accountability within the Bush administration!

  DSR

  David Posted November 26, 2008 11:59 AM
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  Sounds like Mr. Brodsky has gotten caught up in the spin cycle of The Bush machine as it exits stage left. The story isn't about poor Mr. Safavian and how the big bad Justice Dept is persecuting him. Read the indictment not Mr. Brands or Mr. Chafetz characterization. Agreed Safavian is a small fish but a one who refused to cooperate with prosecutors trying to get to bigger fish and now the bigger fish are trying to reward him with this sympathy campaign.

  Snow White Posted November 26, 2008 11:48 AM