Looks Like Trump May Have Committed a Major Electoral Felony.
By cleros
Tuesday Mar 15, 2016 · 6:36 AM PDT
Ben Carson endorsed Donald Trump after dropping out of the race. It seemed really weird at the time; I don’t think Trumps brand of politics particularly meshed well with Dr. Carson’s.
The true reason behind the endorsement seemed to have come to light now.
In a interview over at Newmax TV (Not going to give them the pleasure of a link here)
Promise of appointment by candidate: 18 U.S.C. § 599 This statute prohibits a candidate for federal office from promising appointments “to any public or private position or employment” in return for “support in his candidacy.” It is one of the few federal criminal laws specifically addressing campaign-related activity by candidates. It is a class statute that applies only to misconduct by federal candidates. Willful violations are two-year felonies; nonwillful violations are misdemeanors. Section 599 has potential application when one candidate attempts to secure an opponent’s withdrawal, or to elicit the opponent’s endorsement, by offering the opponent a public or private job. See also 18 U.S.C. § 600, discussed above. It also applies to offers of jobs by federal candidates to others to secure endorsements. While Section 599 does not reach offers or payments of money to secure withdrawal or endorsements, if the payment was not reported accurately, such matters may be prosecutable as a reporting violation of FECA under 2 U.S.C. §§ 434(b) and 437g(d).
By cleros
Tuesday Mar 15, 2016 · 6:36 AM PDT
Ben Carson endorsed Donald Trump after dropping out of the race. It seemed really weird at the time; I don’t think Trumps brand of politics particularly meshed well with Dr. Carson’s.
The true reason behind the endorsement seemed to have come to light now.
In a interview over at Newmax TV (Not going to give them the pleasure of a link here)
DR. BEN CARSON: I do believe, and certainly in my discussions with Donald Trump, he does love America and he does want to be successful. And, he will surround himself with very good people.
STEVE MALZBERG: And will one of them be Dr. Ben Carson?
Carson: I will be doing things as well, yeah.
Malzberg: In the administration.
Carson: Certainly in an advisory capacity.
Malzberg: That's been determined? You've, when you sat down with him that was discussed?
Carson: Yes.
Strangely enough this thing probably runs south of established election laws. Promising support in exchange for a endorsement is straight up cronyism and it is flat out illegal.STEVE MALZBERG: And will one of them be Dr. Ben Carson?
Carson: I will be doing things as well, yeah.
Malzberg: In the administration.
Carson: Certainly in an advisory capacity.
Malzberg: That's been determined? You've, when you sat down with him that was discussed?
Carson: Yes.
Promise of appointment by candidate: 18 U.S.C. § 599 This statute prohibits a candidate for federal office from promising appointments “to any public or private position or employment” in return for “support in his candidacy.” It is one of the few federal criminal laws specifically addressing campaign-related activity by candidates. It is a class statute that applies only to misconduct by federal candidates. Willful violations are two-year felonies; nonwillful violations are misdemeanors. Section 599 has potential application when one candidate attempts to secure an opponent’s withdrawal, or to elicit the opponent’s endorsement, by offering the opponent a public or private job. See also 18 U.S.C. § 600, discussed above. It also applies to offers of jobs by federal candidates to others to secure endorsements. While Section 599 does not reach offers or payments of money to secure withdrawal or endorsements, if the payment was not reported accurately, such matters may be prosecutable as a reporting violation of FECA under 2 U.S.C. §§ 434(b) and 437g(d).