Patterico's Pontifications

5/26/2010

James O’Keefe to Plead to Misdemeanor for No Jail Time

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:50 am



I told you this would amount to very little:

It looks like James O’Keefe won’t be in cuffs after all.

The conservative activist filmmaker, who was arrested in New Orleans in January along with three cohorts in the office of Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, is expected to enter a plea to a misdemeanor on Wednesday in federal court.  He’s accused of entering federal property under false pretenses.

Originally, O’Keefe faced much more potentially serious charges. At the time of the arrests, the U.S. Attorney’s office claimed O’Keefe and three others were in the process “of committing a felony.” But federal prosecutors never made the supposed “felony” clear, and the lesser misdemeanor plea of entering federal property “under false pretenses” is expected to spare O’Keefe and his co-defendants any jail time.

So much for “Watergate Jr.”

I hear big things are in the works — possibly as early as tomorrow. Stay tuned. You haven’t heard the last of James O’Keefe.

50 Responses to “James O’Keefe to Plead to Misdemeanor for No Jail Time”

  1. Personally, as soon as they stick the suffix “-gate” on the end of anything, that’s when I stop paying attention. Now that the judicial dust has settled, I hope that O’Keefe got something worthwhile out of his stunt. Sadly, the legal complications and their delays are likely to have made whatever he got seem pretty stale by now. I can’t even remember what it was that Pelosi wasn’t answering her phones for.

    Gesundheit (cfa313)

  2. “Entering federal property under false pretenses”?!?

    Wide net, that. Lobbyists, federal employees, lawyers, reporters, filmmakers, criminal defendants, job seekers, etc.

    Surprised they haven’t made it a felony.

    Kevin Murphy (5ae73e)

  3. From the FBI’s press release on the case:

    According to the complaint, which was unsealed earlier today, the arrest of FLANAGAN, BASEL, O’KEEFE, and DAI took place after BASEL and O’KEEFE attempted to gain access to the New Orleans office of United States Senator Mary Landrieu on January 25, 2010, while posing as telephone repairmen.

    She was avoiding constituents complaining about the push to pass Obamacare

    Sabba Hillel (dd522e)

  4. Just curious: why isn’t this filed under “ACORN/O’Keefe?”

    /lazy conservative looking for easy way to search when telling rabid far-lefties in the near future “I TOLD YOU SO!”

    Thanks, Patterico, for keeping us up on this. I LOVE O’Keefe’s (and Giles’) cojones and hope we get many more of them out of young-conservative land.

    no one you know (196ed7)

  5. I lurv it when the “Remember, you heard it here first!” part turns out right!

    EW1(SG) (edc268)

  6. “You haven’t heard the last of James O’Keefe.” I wish we had. That kid is a disaster waiting to happen.

    gp (72be5d)

  7. Entering federal property under false pretenses

    As said previously by others, this happens every day dozens if not hundreds of times where people enter federal buildings posing as public servants, whether elected, appointed, or hired.

    O’Keefe may not have been a telephone repairman, but he was probably more interested in the public welfare the the Senator and others in her office that refused to answer the phone.

    Good thing “Candid Camera” never pulled a stunt in a federal building.

    MD in Philly (cb8efe)

  8. That kid is a disaster waiting to happen.

    well, he has been pretty damaging to the left so far, so what are you afraid he’s going to expose next?

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  9. O’Keefe has been almost as damaging to the Left as has Obama!

    AD - RtR/OS! (39b1d4)

  10. Brother Fikes, Where art thou?

    There really oughta be some association of journalists with a bit of pride left in their ability to keep independent opinions, and they oughta have their own awards. If nothing else, O’Keefe deserves an “Upstart of the Decade” award.

    MD in Philly (cb8efe)

  11. Surprise, surprise.

    Another wild liberal claim falls flat.

    *yawn*

    Good for O’Keefe!

    Pious Agnostic (291f9a)

  12. This development was, of course, unexpected.

    AD - RtR/OS! (39b1d4)

  13. Did EricPWJohnson pay up on his bet yet?

    JD (2855f9)

  14. *smirks* A lot of heads are exploding in Moonbatistan right now–how very sad.

    M. Scott Eiland (f038ce)

  15. it would be unprecedented if he did….

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  16. I am really looking forward to some reporting from O’Keefe. Then we’ll see some heads explode.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  17. Hopefully, O’Keefe will do some legal research and some planning so this sort of ‘gotcha’ doesn’t happen again. (unless the prize is worth it.)

    One thing he should do is get some journalistic cover or prerecord his plans and goals so that if it does go south, he has some claim to ‘investigative journalist’ when they hook him up.

    He ought to start a website where folks can send him tips or suggest targets. I’ve got a few and I’m sure other do also.

    jakee308 (aec1b8)

  18. EPWJ had quite a few accusations about how Breitbart’s involvement implicates him and made this a terrible venture.

    I think it would be a great idea for O’Keefe to work directly for Breitbart of someone else. This kind of action should be a team effort. I don’t think O’Keefe is some idiot kid who needs a nanny, but there are just too many variables to not include as much experience as possible in the planning phase of these exposes.

    O’Keefe’s entire premise is that he goes undercover to expose monstrous behavior. I don’t know where he goes if he abandons that aspect.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  19. Dustin – EPWJ claimed Breitbart would be indicted, and offered to bet 10:1. Eric Blair and I took him up on it. Crickets, since.

    JD (2855f9)

  20. JD, I kinda remember it. I know for sure he was in a bet about Breitbart being indicted. Didn’t realize he has given you such great odds, though.

    Congratulations, but I’m not holding my breath for a payout.

    Regardless of that, I remember how O’Keefe was being demonized for being a dumb pawn of Breitbart (why Breitbart is even considered a bad person was never explained). I think that’s actually a good idea. O’Keefe has proven himself. He doesn’t need to be completely independent. He needs some circle of professionals who can help him with his undercover journalism. That’s just my opinion… I’ve never gained a scoop like O’Keefe has, so what do I know?

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  21. if it keeps him from posting here anymore, that would be a pretty big payoff, all by itself.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  22. Oops. I said Pelosi instead of Landrieu. See what I’ mean? This story is so stale already. By the time they got through all the legal complications it became too late to unveil any big expose’ of anything. “A Senator wasn’t answering her phones about Obamacare? Let’s see, that was the scandal before the scandal about somebody’s affair and that other guy who was offered a job and the oil well thing and the…” If O’Keefe is going to make a big reveal tomorrow, it had better be some pretty amazing stuff or no one will notice.

    Gesundheit (cfa313)

  23. “You haven’t heard the last of James O’Keefe.” I wish we had. That kid is a disaster waiting to happen.

    Yeah, exposing ACORN for the criminal enterprise that so many of it’s critics had been charging over the past two decades was a complete disaster. Clearly, the “kid” was way in over his head on that one.

    If O’Keefe is going to make a big reveal tomorrow, it had better be some pretty amazing stuff or no one will notic

    Here’s a cluebat for you – reporters who go undercover don’t always hit every farking story they work on out of the park. So what on earth is your point here? Either make one or go play in your closet.

    Dmac (3d61d9)

  24. Several times now “big things in the works” reports have turned out to be interesting and credible stories. Sure, the crazies go out of their way to attempt to claim it’s a fabrication, racism, etc, but they can’t really succeed against O’Keefe’s typical method, which is to get crooks to be crooks on tape.

    bradblog is freaking out about this, saying he tampered with phones and got off because of racism (seriously). And partisanship. A Republican in New Orleans. Of course, the same people who twist and lie will say any video proof O’Keefe has is a twisted lie.

    This plea makes some sense. It gets to the heart of what O’Keefe was doing. I am curious if O’Keefe actually come up with evidence that the phones really were tampered with, as so many people trying to get some representation from their Senator reported. Of course, if O’Keefe proves that happens, the left will shrug and ask what the problem is.

    They want to protect the vested wealthy interests of crooks, like ACORN or congressional liars. They usually have won those battles, but O’Keefe is showing why that’s harder to do these days.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  25. 100 hours of community service?

    3 YEARS of probation

    all for a misdemeanor?

    Guy deserved the maximum

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  26. What was that bet?

    Eric Blair (337103)

  27. Dustin – I’m still moderated over there. We’ll see if my comment posts.

    daleyrocks (1d0d98)

  28. daley, I think I am only familiar with bradblog because of the dubunking they suffered here and the occasional times I look at democraticunderground, where they self promote a lot. In other words, we’re not exactly talking John Stuart Mill tolerance of dissent.

    I’ll check later and see if your comments post.

    EPWJ, why does he deserve the maximum? Why the anger? He was trying to expose corruption, but he did so by lying about his identity (going undercover). That’s not really a serious offense in my book. There’s no doubt he is a serious journalist who has worked very hard on several stories. This isn’t some punk tampering with phones for the lulz. I think you’ve got some kind of issue with Breitbart that you haven’t explained (or I missed) that clouds your judgment. Never was there a serious chance Breitbart was even slightly in trouble. Never was prison a serious possibility. Sure, the media spun this as watergate, but they weren’t operating in reality.

    You should honor O’Keefe’s patriotism and willingness to actually get real stories about the amazing corruption our nation is infected with.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  29. Dustin – Maybe this will help:

    1.

    “Jody

    I’d be the last person you’d want to say is defensive – Okeefe may go to jail for up to 10 years for what he did in New Orleans and hey – I’m more than okay with that

    He’s a little racist turd who used child sex slavery as a topic to gain personal wealth and notoriety – not my favorite person – I have nothing against him but his conduct – he has to atone for that as we all do………..

    Comment by EricPWJohnson — 2/24/2010 @ 9:33 pm”

    daleyrocks (1d0d98)

  30. Guy deserved the maximum

    You come on here again with your tail between your legs and continue to act the braying ass? Either pay up on your bet or STFU, and stay the hell off the site until you do.

    What a gutless f-cking wonder.

    Dmac (3d61d9)

  31. “He’s a little racist turd who used child sex slavery as a topic to gain personal wealth”

    JESUS, that’s one way to put it, I guess. I guess you could also say that he exposed an organization that was willing to use child sex slavery to further its corrupt interests, and that he’s been accused of racism but absolutely no tangible evidence of that charge, despite millions being spent attempting to find some, materialized.

    Is this that Northeast Elizabeth racism charge? That was absolutely unfounded. If O’Keefe sank to that level of journalism, would you criticize him for it? If you don’t exercise reasonable standards for what facts you assert, how do you expect to have credibility when condemning a journalist?

    “Okeefe may go to jail for up to 10 years for what he did in New Orleans and hey – I’m more than okay with that”

    As you can see, reality and your mind are not closely in line. Maybe that’s because you’re naive and corruption and evil saved this monster racist, but I think maybe you just have something against these people that is unfair. Honestly, you come across as being very unfair.

    While you were saying that, I was saying I’d actually find a wiretap tolerable if the corruption was extreme enough (this is New Orleans… my imagination for what these crooks are capable of is unlimited). So I think we’re not going to be able to reach an agreement on the general topic.

    But come on, you were asserting some grand conspiracy would ensnare Breitbart and O’Keefe was being used and all this… that was not based on any actual evidence. These people are just normal people like you or me who are good at journalism. They aren’t demonic.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  32. EricPWJohnson, you remain so full of c**p that I suspect you waddle.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  33. Again I am reminded of the Democratic operatives who just happened to be parked in their motor home in the neighborhood of a member of the Republican Cong. leadership, who just happened to be listening on a very sophisticated radio scanner (with attached recorder), who just happened to overhear (and record) a private conference call among the members of the Congressional leadership. Which they then turned over to democratic congressmen who proceeded to make certain selected snippets of the contents public.

    Anyone recall what ever happened with this happy pair of “radio hobbyists”? Has Jim McDermott (IIRC) ever taken his penalty for this? I seem to recall that the case meandered for a ridiculous amount of time.

    Have Blue (854a6e)

  34. Okeefe deserved jail time for his stunt – being stupid or not knowing is not an excuse for violating the law and endangering national security…

    His work on Acorn was not a part of this – we have heard the last of MR Okeefe and thankfully so – I’m sure he’ll keep on trying to breathlessly self promote his gotcha schticks – but defeating liberalism and fighting corruption in government needs more attention from those who are not in it to line their pockets with money from frustrated conservatives (and are willing to be child sex slave traffickers or just pretend to be) – the best way to fight the liberal media is the old fashioned way

    vote

    Also those who listened in and Taped Newt Gingrinch shoul also have served serious jail time, as well as the congressman who did it

    And who knows 3 years probation? That seems alot and 100 hours of community service for tresspassing? interesting

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  35. Dustin

    You can ignore the evidence if you want – have you listened to the audio of his calling the abortion clinics? Did you read his works at Rutgers? (I mean come on look at Christie just ramming these guys over he had a target rich environment but instead focused on other topics at first) He attended? (one of just maybe 10 attendees?) at a racist conference organized by a co worker of his an was seen manning a table of questionable literature?

    Did you see his videos of the prize patrol?

    Then ask yourself this – the body of his work – is it going to further the republican cause? Is it going to convert Democrats?

    Is it party building? Would/has any single republican candidate asked for Okeefe to come speak?

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  36. EricPW – If O’Keefe had endangered national security, would not he have been charged with that? Why do you keep going back to your mythical crimes?

    daleyrocks (1d0d98)

  37. “have you listened to the audio of his calling the abortion clinics”

    Yes, but long before I heard of the ACORN videos. I thought that was nearly heroic.

    I liked the prize patrol videos too.

    I don’t think it matters whether or not his body of work furthers the Michael Steele party’s cause. I know this is hard to believe, but I’ll gladly see the GOP fail if we’re running Dede Scozzafava. Just depends.

    What I want is those in power who are corrupt to be exposed.

    If O’Keefe were to expose a conservative, which is less likely because they probably aren’t quite as corrupt and certainly not quite as in-power, I would celebrate him.

    Red posted a John Adam’s quote in the other O’Keefe thread. Read that. It’s insightful. I know some of the people O’Keefe has challenged are black, and O’Keefe treats them with the sensitivity he would treat a white person. I think that’s just wonderful.

    Your claims about the conference are damnable lies. He showed up at a debate that happened to have a racist debate a non-racist about racial issues, and O’Keefe stood up for the non-racist. The racist has appeared on many forums. I would have felt privileged to attend such a forum, and would have happily joined O’Keefe is celebrating a color blind outlook.

    Here’s the thing: some of the things you’re attacking this man with are proven lies. Why are your trotting out proven lies? You don’t believe them. You’ve followed this guy closely and are familiar with the facts.

    We both know you have some underlying issue with Breitbart. I don’t know what it stems from. Perhaps it’s awful enough to send you on an angry tangent… anyone who reads these comment sections enough knows I’m not immune to that mistake. I’m trying to meet you half way and not judge you as a really awful person here.

    Your claims about his body of work show you know this man is deeply offended and moved to end racism. You know he’s willing to personally invest himself in exposing corruption and document everything about his investigations. You know he’s not really much of a partisan Republican at all. You know all this, but you slander him because of some underlying issue.

    That won’t work here. I care about this person’s reputation. A lot of people here do. Skip that mess and just explain your real problem. Is there some faction you feel is slighted? Some big tent GOP RINO that wants the little people to stop asking so many questions? Imagine how you would feel if O’Keefe treated you the way you’re trying him.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  38. Daleyrocks

    exactly what a federal judge was demanding to know why as well, gee I’m not the only one

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  39. Dustin

    A hero? Please – what Republican candidate or elected official has asked for Okeefe

    Any?

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  40. for Eric:

    “Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have…
    a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge,
    I mean the characters and conduct of their rulers.”
    — John Adams
    (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President

    because i’ll bet you 10:1 he’d never go look for it. 😀

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  41. Please – what Republican candidate or elected official has asked for Okeefe

    Any?

    What candidate or official has asked for Patterico, or Katie Couric? What does that requirement mean to prove? Why would I want another partisan hack journalist? I don’t want some journalist that any politician feels is loyal to them.

    I don’t want any Gannons or Helen Thomases.

    I care very little about creating heroes for the party that is old and grand, and a lot more about getting it into people’s heads that we have corruption stemming from SEIU, ACORN, and Chicago that is deep, expensive, and devoted to obscuring the truth about our leaders. That’s why I forgive Sarah Palin for her many imperfections. She was willing to throw out bums on her side. It’s not that I disregard the tremendous value of loyalty. Just loyalty to a D or an R. I am the wrong person to persuade with your argument, then.

    Dustin (b54cdc)

  42. Dustin

    Again, what libertarian, anyone running for office ask for Okeefe?

    Anyone?

    Quotes from people dead for 200 years is not as relevant as the tapes called into a clinic wishing to kill black babies in the name of conservatism heroics

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  43. poor Eric: he’s got nothing……

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  44. red

    Anyone asking for Okeefe? Anyone? Its a simple question – where are his Carvillian appearences – who is going to sign him up?

    Anyone? Where is his next source of funding going to be?

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  45. Anyway he’s done – not worth discussing anymore

    EricPWJohnson (cedf1d)

  46. thanks for proving my point….

    BTW: when are you planning on baying your gambling debts?

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  47. Okeefe deserved jail time for his stunt – being stupid or not knowing is not an excuse for violating the law and endangering national security

    Your mouth is once again deemed to be firmly connected to your rear blowhole – pay up or STFU.

    Dmac (3d61d9)

  48. EricPW – Do you have any evidence at all that O’Keefe was endangering national security or are you just pulling that out of your ass?

    I listened to O’Keefe’s calls to Planned Parenthood and thought they served their intended purpose, to show what a corrupt money-grubbing organization it is, just as Lila Rose’s work is doing now.

    I also read the debunkings of the supposedly “racist” conference to which you are referring and they sound nothing like the propaganda which you have swallowed hook, line and sinker.

    EricPW, you are easily manipulated.

    daleyrocks (1d0d98)

  49. What’s worth discussing EricPWJohnson has been your gross exaggeration of the events, based on your complete fabrications.

    A pattern you have continued – showing a complete inability to learn when you’ve stepped in it.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  50. It is a shame that a young man that did a great job by exposing ACORN but by pretendending to be a telephone repair man and entering a federal building he went to far and deserves the punishment he recived.What could he have proved by doing what ever he was looking to do to prove that the Senator was not answearing her phone.I belive that he was acting on orders from someone else.Maybe he and the people from ACORN if they broke the law coiuld share a cell.

    steve (8aa5ce)


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