The political blog “The Turner Report” says State Rep. John Bowman may change his plea today from not guilty to guilty.

Rep. John Bowman, D-St. Louis, the final defendant in a bank and credit card fraud scheme, is scheduled to change his plea, which is currently not guilty, today in U. S. District Court in St. Louis.

According to court records, the session is set for 10:30 a.m. before Judge Henry Edward Autrey. Bowman’s trial was scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 4.

The other defendants in the case have either pleaded guilty, or in the case of the ringleader of the scheme in which Bowman was allegedly involved, former Bank of America Vice President Robert Conner, been found guilty by a federal jury in December.

Conner is free on $65,000 bond while awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled for Feb. 20.

Conner and Bowman were indicted in January 2007 by a federal grand jury, which said Bowman and his co-defendants agreed to a scheme in which Conner took a bank lending program which provided money to small businesses by offering a $25,000 credit limit, then arranged with the other defendants to apply for the loans, often with fictitious companies, then give Conner kickbacks ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 on each loan.

According to the indictment, Conner approved $1,213,970 in fraudulent loans.

Source: The Turner Report

The Missouri Republican Party today slammed the Democrats for three elected officials’ hig-profile run-ins with the law.

From the GOP press release:

In a stunning miscarriage of justice, Democrat Sen. Chuck Graham will not face the same mandatory revocation of his driver’s license that other Missourians would face after being convicted of drunken driving. Meanwhile, Democrat Rep. John Bowman is set to plead guilty in St. Louis on federal fraud charges while Democrat Jeff Smith is in court in Cooper County over his illegal entry to a Missouri casino.

“Missouri Democrats are a disgrace for violating the very laws they are sworn to uphold on behalf of hard-working Missourians. It is disturbing to most Missourians that an ever-increasing number of Democrat lawmakers are being exposed as lawbreakers,” said Paul Sloca, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party. “With their ongoing pattern of malfeasance, Missouri Democrats are the last people Missourians want to hear a lecture from regarding the behavior of elected officials. Even more disturbing is that the head of the Democrat Party, Jay Nixon, is the attorney general of the state.”

The Columbia Daily-Tribune reports that after a two-minute hearing, Boone County Associate Circuit Judge Carol England reinstated Graham’s license even though a mandatory suspension of his license is required because he refused a Breathalyzer test. Ironically, Graham serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee that hears bills proposing new Missouri laws.

“Obviously, there is one justice system for Democrats like Chuck Graham and another justice system for average, hard-working Missourians,” Sloca said.

Smith, who was charged last year for using a fellow Democrat lawmaker’s identification to enter the Isle of Capri casino in Boonville, is facing a hearing in Cooper County today on those charges. Democrat Joe Aull, who provided the identification to Smith, is scheduled for his hearing in February. Smith also serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee. “Jeff Smith violated the law and now he must face the consequences, although Smith has spent months hiding behind his attorney’s legal maneuvering,” Sloca said.

The Turner Report today says that Bowman is going to change his plea from not guilty to guilty for his role in a bank and credit card fraud scheme in U.S. District Court. Bowman was indicted for agreeing to a scheme in which a bank executive took a lending program which provided money to small businesses by offering a $25,000 credit limit, then arranged with Bowman and others to apply for the loans, often with fictitious companies, in which the executive received kickbacks ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 on each loan. Incredibly, Bowman serves on the House Budget Committee which handles taxpayer dollars.

“John Bowman broke the public trust and must be punished as any other Missourian would be punished. Democrats must realize that they are not above the law,” Sloca said.

Number of people murdered in the City of St. Louis:

2007 - 138 murdered
2006 - 129 murdered
2003 - 73 murdered

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is the largest police department in the state. Even though one third of the City of St. Louis’ budget ($140 million annually) goes toward funding the department, it is controlled by the State of Missouri through appointments made by the governor and confirmed by the senate.

The current police chief, Joe Mokwa, was appointed on May 11, 2001.

Cops Gone Wild

Internal police department auditors discovered as much as $40,000 in cash was stolen from the evidence room in the basement of St. Louis Police Headquarters. Though Chief Joe Mokwa was informed about the theft this summer, it was not made public until mid-September.

Despite police officers stealing everything from World Series baseball tickets to cash without any serious consequences, the governor-appointed police board and Mayor Francis Slay continued to voice their complete confidence in Mokwa (even if his own officers felt otherwise).

Rookie Cop Killed

On August 15, rookie cop Norvelle Brown was killed while patrolling alone on the city’s north side. His death and the department’s regular practice of sending inexperienced officers fresh out of the academy to patrol the toughest neighborhoods in the city all alone are two of several reasons mentioned for why the Police Officers’ Association later voted “no confidence” in the leadership of Police Chief Joe Mokwa.

Gov. Matt Blunt gave the kind of Christmas gift Sunday that only a governor can give.

Blunt announced his decision to pardon Alicia Allison-Brown, Jesse Barnes, James Birdwell, Sr., Craig Johnson, Robert Jordan and Carl Smart, who all were convicted of non-violent offenses years ago and have since, according to Blunt, become and remained law-abiding citizens.

None of the people pardoned were currently in prison and several of them committed their crimes decades ago and were only sentenced to probation, which they have long ago completed.

More from the governor’s office on the people who were pardoned:

In 1990, at the age of 23, Alicia Allison-Brown was convicted of stealing. She was sentenced to four years probation and 120-day shock incarceration. Ms. Brown applied for pardon in 2005. Ms. Allison-Brown is married with one child. She is a member of FEMA Missouri Task Force I, serving as a Canine Search Specialist and trained in Tech Rescue

In 1961, at the age of 24, Jesse Barnes was convicted of 2nd degree arson. He was sentenced to three years in prison and paroled after serving five months. He successfully completed his parole. Mr. Barnes applied for pardon in 2006. Mr. Barnes is a self-employed and professional painter. He has been married for 40 years and has three children as well as grandchildren.

In 1963, at the age of 20, James Birdwell, Sr., was convicted of malicious destruction of property. He received a one year suspended sentence and two years of probation. Mr. Birdwell applied for pardon in 2003. Mr. Birdwell has owned a small construction business for nine years and previously worked for the Kansas City Star for more than 10 years. He has been married for 45 years and has five children and 17 grandchildren

In 1985, at the age of 19, Craig Johnson was convicted of the crime of stealing. He was sentenced to three years probation. Mr. Johnson applied for pardon in 2004. Mr. Johnson is a minister and chaplain in the U.S. Army where he has achieved the rank of Captain. He served in the first Gulf War where he received numerous decorations and awards.

In 1990, at the age of 21, Robert Jordan was convicted of the crime of stealing. He was sentenced to two years probation. Mr. Jordan applied for pardon in 2003. Mr. Jordan and his wife have three children and serve their community as Emergency Medical Technicians.

In 1980, at the age of 28, Carl Smart was convicted of 2nd degree arson and deceitful stealing. He was sentenced to five years probation, which he completed successfully. Mr. Smart applied for a pardon in 2004. Mr. Smart is a Navy veteran and has worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years. He is married with three children and one grandchild.

“Ms. Allison-Brown, Mr. Barnes, Mr. Birdwell, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Smart have paid for their mistakes,” said Gov. Blunt. “It is my hope and belief that they will continue to be productive citizens.”

Missouri’s Probation and Parole Board unanimously recommended that a pardon be issued in all cases. Local law enforcement were not opposed to the four receiving a pardon. In addition each person receiving a pardon has support from their local community, including elected officials, religious leaders, community leaders or neighbors.

The following press release is from the St. Louis City Election Board in response to today’s indictment of eight former ACORN workers on charges of voter registration fraud:

Earlier today, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of the State of Missouri, Catherine L. Hanaway, announced that eight former employees of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN, were indicted in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri on federal election violations. The indictments come approximately thirteen months after the City of St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners turned over to federal investigators, thousands of voter registration cards that had been submitted for processing to the Board by ACORN.

These voter registration cards contained fraudulent signatures, improper and inaccurate voter information, and duplicative and incorrect names. Included in the voter registration cards that were patently fraudulent was a voter registration card and signature attributed to a fifteen year old girl whose mother alerted the Board that no such card and signature had been completed.

“These voter registration cards were brazenly fraudulent, and we are pleased that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is taking steps to properly prosecute those who commit voter registration fraud,” stated Republican Director Scott Leiendecker.

“The Board will continue to vigorously investigate any and all allegations of election fraud and refer any incidents to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.”

Here’s our video report from October 2006:

UPDATE: More on the indictments from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

Eight voter registration workers, employed by The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), have been indicted on election fraud charges in connection with the November 2006 general election, United States Attorney Catherine L. Hanaway announced today.

The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (“ACORN”) is a not-for-profit organization and during 2006 maintained and operated an office at 4304 Manchester Avenue in the City of St. Louis, in part to conduct a voter registration drive for the November 7, 2006 general election.

Project Vote is a not-for-profit organization that works with ACORN to register voters for federal and local elections. Project Vote funded ACORN in the 2006 voter registration drive.

“The allegations of Election Fraud announced today represent criminal activities which undermine the public’s confidence in government. This type of criminal activity should not be tolerated by citizens of the community,” said Hanaway. “We intend to investigate vigorously, and prosecute fully, any allegations of fraud in our election system.”

ACORN and Project Vote recruited and employed workers to obtain voter registrations in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County during 2006. The workers were trained and instructed by ACORN and Project Vote on how to obtain voter registrations and how to prepare voter registration applications, which included training and instruction that the actual voter must sign the voter application and that a forged signature is a violation of the law.

The indictment alleges that from July through October 2006, the eight defendants indicted today were employed by ACORN as voter registration workers to obtain voter registrations in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County. They are charged with multiple counts of election fraud for submitting false voter registration applications to the St. Louis City and St. Louis County Board of Election Commissions falsely stating addresses, names and other information of the voters being registered, and which contained forged signatures of the purported applicants, in violation of Title 42, United States Code, Sections 1973i(c) and 1973 gg-10, election fraud.

The indicted individuals are:

• BRIAN BLAND, St. Louis, Missouri
• BOBBIE JEAN CHEEKS, a/k/a Dorothy Jones and Bobbie Tobert, St. Louis, Missouri
• CORTEZ COWAN, St. Louis, Missouri
• GOLDEN GIBSON, St. Louis, Missouri
• RADONNA MARIE SMITH, St. Louis, Missouri
• ANTHONY M. RELIFORD, St. Louis, Missouri
• KENNETH DEMOND WILLIAMS, St. Louis, Missouri
• TYAIRA L. WILLIAMS, a/k/a Tootsie Roll, St. Louis, Missouri

If convicted, each count of 42 U.S.C. Section 1973i(c) carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and/or fines up to $ 10,000. Each count of 42 U.S.C. Section 1973gg-10 carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000.

In discussions with the United States Attorney’s Office, ACORN has agreed to implement a plan to improve voter registration and quality control procedures. ACORN is planning to strengthen the system it has to monitor and address performance problems, and has agreed to meet with prosecutors to discuss how best to report possible illegal activity. ACORN has agreed that comprehensive training will be required of all quality control and management staff. ACORN has agreed to the creation of a General Counsel position to monitor ACORN programs, and who will communicate with local election officials to address problems. Further, ACORN has agreed to assign a 13-year ACORN veteran and Missouri Head Organizer to St. Louis full time to personally oversee any future voter registration drive.

“The FBI is committed to investigating all instances of election fraud to ensure the integrity of our democratic system,” said John Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, FBI, St. Louis.

Hanaway acknowledged the assistance of the St. Louis and St. Louis County Election Boards and commended the work performed on the case by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service and Assistant United States Attorney Hal Goldsmith, who is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Former state rep. Nathan Cooper was sentenced to 15 months in a federal prison.

While the parents, media and lawmakers look for someone to punish for the suicide of Megan Meier, others wonder how Internet postings could possibly drive someone to suicide.

“What if the boyfriend was real?” asked a friend of mine. “What if he dumped her, called her a [vulgar name] and she ran home and killed herself? Would they try to prosecute him?”

Good question. While the link to the popular social networking website MySpace has made this St. Charles tragedy a worldwide story, the media’s thirst for sensationalism mixed with politicians’ opportunism has really left common sense and any idea of personal responsibility at the roadside.

Shouldn’t a 13-year-old be able to handle “meanness” better than this? Or is this newly-coined “cyber-bullying” really a new, more menacing threat to young people, as an editorial in the Post-Dispatch claimed today:

“The pervasiveness of technology, including cell phones, e-mail and instant messaging, coupled with the anonymity it bestows, makes electronic harassment less escapable and more effective. Bullies no longer lurk only in school hallways and playgrounds; now, they slip right into a child’s bedroom, wreaking havoc even when school is out.”

Really? Are emails really more scary than three bigger kids beating the hell out of you everyday at lunch? Because sticks and stones can indeed break your bones. Words — well, they can be hurtful too, but at 13 years-old aren’t kids at least responsible enough for their own actions as to rule out the words of a faceless boy or girl as the reason for them killing themselves?

Ironically, at the same time newspapers, TV news, and the girl’s parents are arguing that 13-year-old Megan was not responsible for her own actions, a St. Louis County judge sentenced young Sherman Burnett Jr. to 60 years in prison for a crime he committed when he was — you guessed it — 13 years-old.

So which is it, Missouri? Are 13 year-olds responsible for themselves or not?

Because if they are, young Sherman should go to jail for a very long time for kidnapping, beating and sexually assaulting his 6 year-old neighbor. And young Megan was old enough to know what the hell she was doing when she decided to take her own life. No words from someone she never met caused her suicide.

Or is someone else really responsible for causing Megan to hang herself in her room, because as a child, Megan was manipulated and harassed to the point of her own suicide and, like young Sherman, had no concept yet how precious life — theirs or others — actually is.

So which one is it, Missouri? What are 13 year-old kids responsible for — your kids and mine?

Earlier this week, St. Louis Community College (SLCC) suspended music professor Lawrence Stukenholtz for sexual misconduct. Stukenholtz was not suspended for any misdeeds at SLCC, but for incidents at Matter Dei High School in California, a Catholic institution.

Court records show that after reports of sexual relationships and abuse with female minors, Stukenholtz was offered the chance to resign or else face a full investigation. He resigned and eventually wound up teaching music at SLCC.

When one of Stukenholtz’s victims, Sarah Gray, found out about his position in St. Louis she contacted the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP). Local SNAP officials say they told SLCC administrators about Stukenholtz’s past, but after no action was taken, they met with Gray and hand-delivered a letter to the school’s main office.

Following the delivery, Stukenholtz was suspended.

Gray’s legal options against Stukenholtz are limited since she already settled a case, along with other victims.

“The settlement was basically a way for myself and the other girls to move forward,” says Gray.

Gray is currently pushing to get Stukenhotlz indicted on charges of sexual abuse of a child in Orange County, California.

PubDef talked with Gray before she and SNAP representatives delivered their letter to the SLCC.

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