Press Release from Charles Malone for Congress.
Former U.S. Attorney George Holding’s decision to charge former Senator John Edwards had nothing to do with public integrity, and everything to do with political opportunism, according to Charles Malone, Democratic candidate for North Carolina’s 13th Congressional District.
“The decision by the United States Justice Department to drop the charges against former Senator John Edwards calls to question the judgment of Mr. Holding in seeking indictments in this case. It is apparent now that Holding, while wanting government to cut to the bone otherwise, was willing to throw millions of the taxpayers’ money away to settle old political scores while attempting to enhance his own political career,” said Malone.
Within days of the indictment of Edwards, Holding declared his candidacy for Congress. He won the Republican primary, and Malone is his opponent in the general election in November.
Following nine days of deliberation, a jury found Edwards not guilty on one of six counts brought against him with evidence gathered by Holding. The jury deadlocked on five additional charges which were dismissed by Justice Department lawyers Wednesday.
“I am not defending John Edwards’ personal behavior, but asking why a case based on weak legal precedents with campaign finance reporting issues was not referred to Federal elections officials for final judgment,” Malone argued.
“It is clear Mr. Holding has political ambitions which may have propelled him to seek an indictment against a high profile North Carolinian to further his name identification and political career. It is well known that US attorneys under President Bush had to toe the political line or be replaced. This why the Edwards case was transferred to the eastern district, and did not originate in the middle district, which was headed by a district attorney the Bush folks could not rely upon” Malone stated.
“Holding has abused his power as a prosecutor and does not need to represent the people in any other public office,” he said.
CONTACT:
E. T. Malone, Jr., Press Secretary
Charles Malone for Congress
etmalonejr@aol.com
252-257-3542 office
252-578-0744 cell
Read More
