The Republican leading the "Fast and Furious" inquisition, has had a few run-ins with the Justice system himself, during his long march to his current position of power and authority.
Here is one of those justice-wrangling Issa tales, that is especially illustrative of the Republican "say-anything" mindset ...
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According to court records, on December 28, 1979, William Issa arrived at Smythe European Motors, in San Jose, and offered to sell Darrell’s car, a red 1976 Mercedes sedan. William was carrying an Ohio driver’s license with his brother’s name on it and the dealer gave William a check for sixteen thousand dollars, which he immediately cashed. Soon afterward, Darrell reported the car stolen from the Monterey airport. He later told the police that he had left the title in the trunk.
The brothers had been together in Cleveland for Christmas, and, after Darrell gave a series of conflicting statements about his brother and whether he himself had recently obtained a second driver’s license, the investigator in the case became suspicious that the two men had conspired to fraudulently sell Darrell’s car and then collect the insurance money.
The brothers were indicted for grand theft. Darrell argued that he had no knowledge of William’s activities; William claimed that his brother had authorized him to sell the car, and he produced a document dated a few weeks before the robbery that gave him power of attorney over his brother’s affairs. On February 15th, with the investigation ongoing, Darrell returned to the San Jose dealership and repurchased his car, for seventeen thousand dollars. In August, 1980, the prosecution dropped the case. Darrell insisted that he was a victim, not a criminal. William had produced evidence that he had the legal authority to sell the car, and the injured party was reimbursed.
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Don’t Look Back
Darrell Issa, the congressman about to make life more difficult for President Obama, has had some troubles of his own.
by Ryan Lizza, NewYorker.com -- January 24, 2011 -- (page 3)
The level of conniving illustrated there makes one wonder if becoming a corporate Republican is simply a genetic trait?
If it is the over-powering lifelong expression -- of the Selfish Gene -- that may the surest indicator of the inevitable "me-first" Republican mindset ... that is one day destined to emerge ...
Of course this little run-in with the Justice system, really didn't curb young Issa's political or wealth accumulating ambitions, now did it ...
The 50 Richest Members of Congress (2011)
2nd [Richest Congressmen] Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) $220.40 Million
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Despite producing a significant bump in his minimum net worth in 2010 -- and claiming the highest total assets reported by any Member, with $295.40 million -- Issa is still just the second wealthiest lawmaker.
Before his election to Congress, the California Congressman made his fortune founding Directed Electronics -- based in Vista, Calif. -- which manufactures car alarms.
His wealth is now vested in two corporations that own and operate office and industrial properties in California: DEI LLC and Greene Properties Inc., as well as various investment funds.
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Issa could have snagged the No. 1 place on Roll Call’s annual list, but he reported two new business lines of credit in 2010, one worth more than $50 million and the other worth $25 million to $50 million. Issa listed these loans as “personal notes” and explained that they were “provided through a business line of credit from Merrill Lynch secured with personal assets.”
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This is the man that would dare to hold the U.S. Department of Justice Attorney General, in contempt of his gavel-banging sessions. The first time in history, such a charge has been leveled.
Even though, Eric Holder has already appeared nine times before Issa's investigative court, and has handed over tens of thousand of documents already.
That's not enough for Issa. Issa needs a "show trial."
Over-compensating much, Darrel?
If Issa isn't careful, he may find out the hard way that his Do-Nothing Congressional Show-Trial, is just another of a long list of reasons:
"That's why the American People are holding Congress in Contempt"
Contempt can cut both ways, and in the case of the Republican Obstructionist Congress -- it really should. Their plotting and scheming has been in a word -- Contemptible.
The American People deserve soooo much better than what the Tea Party Congress has delivered, so far. It's really time for the American People to pledge to sign their 'Pink Slips'.