The Feds just love going to the National

[calvindog]

Tom, from what I can see the FBI has never 'raided' a National. That's a description by a newspaper writer, not necessarily an accurate description. As to handing out subpoenas and interviewing witnesses doesn't it make more sense to find them all in one room as opposed to criss-crossing the country and seeing them individually?

And frankly the presence of an FBI agent at the National should not be perceived as a negative: he's just trying to enforce the law! How can that be a bad thing in a den of thieves like the National?

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Tom, from what I can see the FBI has never 'raided' a National. That's a description by a newspaper writer, not necessarily an accurate description. As to handing out subpoenas and interviewing witnesses doesn't it make more sense to find them all in one room as opposed to criss-crossing the country and seeing them individually?

And frankly the presence of an FBI agent at the National should not be perceived as a negative: he's just trying to enforce the law! How can that be a bad thing in a den of thieves like the National?

You sure are Mr. Sunshine, always trying to put a positive spin on things!

[bigtrain]

Jeff,
I think "den of thieves" is a little strong but look, I have no problem with them enforcing the law. We are talking about investigations here. As you know, the FBI has offices all over the country. They don't go to the National to conserve resources. They go there to make a media splash. They are alerting consumers to problems in the hobby. Fine, no problem with that. The federal indictments will get plenty of exposure. To me, doing this at the National is unnecessary. The National is the hobby's World Series. Would they go into the Yankee dugout to question A-Rod about steroids? Its like the police sitting on an arrest warrant for days, then arresting my client at his place of business to ensure he loses his job and is humiliated, when they could have picked him up quietly at his home. I just don't like the strongarm tactics.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Defense lawyer defending FBI tactics, interesting.

[calvindog]

How is it a tactic to quietly go about conducting witness interviews? Was the agent walking around with an FBI jacket on? Was he standing around Doug Allen's table taunting him with his handcuffs? Course not.

Regardless, as a defense lawyer I don't mind the FBI playing hardball within reason. I play it right back at them and I don't expect them to complain either.

[bigtrain]

But Jeff, they do complain. They have all the resources of the government behind them. Yet, when a defendant can afford to hire a top-notch defense attorney, like yourself, to try to even the playing field, "he's just getting off because he's rich and has a slick lawyer".

[Boccabella]

Media splash?

How many mainstream media outlets reported on the presence of the FBI?

ONE.

If that's what they're after, they're not very good at it.

If and when the FBI wants media attention, they'll get it.

[19cbb]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

The National is the hobby's World Series. Would they go into the Yankee dugout to question A-Rod about steroids?

Now that would be awesome!