Criminal Law
Failed indictment of 6 Democratic lawmakers blamed on Jeanine Pirro-picked prosecutors
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro hiresd a dance photographer/lawyer to try to indict six Democratic lawmakers who urged members of the military and intelligence communities to “refuse illegal orders” given by the Trump administration. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post)
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro hired a dance photographer/lawyer in a failed attempt to indict six Democratic lawmakers for creating a public service announcement in which members of the military and intelligence communities were urged to “refuse illegal orders” from the Trump administration.
Steven Vandervelden, who operates a photography studio and has no federal prosecution experience, was hired by Pirro to help secure indictments, along with another lawyer. Vandervelden operates a dance photography studio but had previously worked with Pirro as a prosecutor in Westchester County, New York, according to coverage on Bloomberglaw.com.
The PSA case targeting sitting lawmakers, some feel, is an attack on free speech and politically motivated by the Department of Justice. Pirro defended her choice in a statement: “Any attempt to undercut his expertise is nothing more than an effort to detract from his excellent prosecutorial record to which few can compare. And by the way, everybody has a hobby,” she said.
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