Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Texas Grand Jury Indicts Cheney, Gonzales

Indictment, overseen by controversial DA, zaps pair over prison abuse

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2008 4:26 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – A grand jury in a small southern Texas county has handed down indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for "organized criminal activity" connected to abuse in federal prisons, Reuters reports. The indictments, overseen by controversial local District Attorney Juan Guerra, accuse Cheney of illegally profiting from his investment in a group with stakes in private prisons, and charge that Gonzalez quashed probes into prison assaults.

Cheney's office declined to comment but a lawyer for a state senator, also indicted, accused Guerra of using his final weeks in office to seek revenge on his perceived enemies. "This is not the first time that Guerra has attempted to turn the justice system into a circus," the lawyer said, citing an occasion last year when Guerra camped in front of the courthouse in a trailer with three goats, a horse and a rooster to protest a police search of his office.

Forner Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has been indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges that he used his position to stop investigations into prison abuse.
Forner Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has been indicted by a Texas grand jury on charges that he used his position to stop investigations into prison abuse.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, left, and Vice President Dick Cheney smile at the White House in this 2006 file photo.
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, left, and Vice President Dick Cheney smile at the White House in this 2006 file photo.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais )
Dick Cheney has been accused of profiting from a stake in prisons where inmates were allegedly abused.
Dick Cheney has been accused of profiting from a stake in prisons where inmates were allegedly abused.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Nov 19, 2008 4:11 AM CST
We know how to do down here in Texas!
jaguarj
Nov 19, 2008 2:16 AM CST
And there are plenty of them that think they are above the law...the WH is full of them.
Guest
Nov 18, 2008 11:33 PM CST
That's a good start...Please restore the peoples faith in their government! No man is above the law!

Indictment stems from 2001 beating death of convict
Raymondville Chronicle

 
Dick Cheney • Alberto Gonzales • Texas • indictment • grand jury • district attorney

More Newser Stories

Judge Tosses Cheney, Gonzales Indictments

Spain to Indict Gonzales, 'Bush Six' Over Gitmo Torture

Dallas DA Makes Waves by Overturning Convictions

US Attorney Probe Moves Forward

Vt. Towns Vote to Indict Bush, Cheney
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne