ANTIGUN California state Sen. Leland Yee arrested in federal raid

[lostinblue 1,989]

California state Sen. Leland Yee arrested in federal raid

SAN FRANCISCO -- State Sen. Leland Yee, one of the most powerful Democratic politicians in California, was arrested Wednesday morning in a major series of federal raids in the Bay Area targeting corruption and gang activity, CBS San Francisco reported.

Federal agents arrested Lee at his home in San Francisco Wednesday morning and drove him to the federal courthouse while his offices in Sacramento were raided as well.

An FBI affidavit in support of a criminal complaint against Yee and 25 other people reveals the lawmaker is accused of conspiracy to deal firearms and wire fraud.

Yee performed "official acts" in exchange for donations from undercover FBI agents, as he sought to dig himself out of a $70,000 debt incurred during a failed San Francisco mayoral bid, according to court documents.

Yee is also accused of accepting $10,000 in January 2013 from an undercover agent in exchange for his making a call to the California Department of Public Health in support of a contract under consideration with the agency.

Also arrested in the raid was Raymond "Shrimp Boy" Chow, a former Chinatown gangster who currently heads the Ghee Kong Tong masonic organization in San Francisco commonly referred to as the Chinese Freemasons.

Chow is accused of money laundering, conspiracy to receive and transport stolen property and conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes.

Agents on Wednesday also raided a San Francisco Chinatown building which houses the Ghee Kong Tong.

Yee represents California's 8th District, which includes part of San Francisco and the Peninsula. He is currently a candidate for California secretary of state.

Yee has been an effective lawmaker who has been dogged by controversies over the years. He serves on a number of California Senate committees and chairs three committees, including the Select Committee on California's Public Record and Open Meeting Laws.

"That's shocking news to me," said San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee when asked about Yee's arrest. "It's many years of public service so I don't know what's occurred there. ... I hope for the best."

CBS San Francisco reported the action appears to stem, at least in part, from the investigation of a gang-related shooting several years ago.

"Hundreds of officers are involved in this," said San Francisco Police Chief Greg Suhr, who described the operation as "massive."

FBI officers confirmed there are a number of jurisdictions involved but emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-state-senator-leland-yee-arrested-in-federal-raid/

371 - conspiracy - fined or imprisoned for up to 5 years or both

922(a)(1) - firearms specific (importing manufacturing, selling, dealing, transport, ship, receive) - fined or imprisoned for up to 5 years or both

922(g)(1) - firearms specific (trafficking - ship or receive - ammo or firearms)

[lostinblue 1,989]

Yee brokered with a friend with ties in the Phillipines to get at least 100 full auto Tavors (ther was also mention of shoulder fired rocket launchers and possible heavy artillery pieces) from a corrupt Filipino military captain, funnel them through an Islamist terror organization, then the sell them to a member of a Triad street game (played by an undercover FBI agent) who was then supposed to sell them on to radical groups in North Africa. All in return for campaign contributions and personal monetary gains.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I'd say he should be brought up on charges and held accountable. How about you?

[Peikko 1,575]

corrupt politicians do a disservice to the party they are affiliated to and the people they are supposed to serve. Indeed, he should be brought to book and slammed in the cooler if found guilty of these crimes. What confuses me is, what the hell does it matter what he purported to believe in? Clearly, he's corrupt and the only thing he really believes in is serving himself but it seems that in the eyes of some, the causes he is supposed to have espoused and the party he is supposed to support are somehow tainted by his corruption. That only holds water IF the party or the organisations he supports knew of and conspired in his corruption. I somehow doubt that is the case

[We Keep Receipts 9,238]

corrupt politicians do a disservice to the party they are affiliated to and the people they are supposed to serve. Indeed, he should be brought to book and slammed in the cooler if found guilty of these crimes. What confuses me is, what the hell does it matter what he purported to believe in? Clearly, he's corrupt and the only thing he really believes in is serving himself but it seems that in the eyes of some, the causes he is supposed to have espoused and the party he is supposed to support are somehow tainted by his corruption. That only holds water IF the party or the organisations he supports knew of and conspired in his corruption. I somehow doubt that is the case

Because in Lost's mind, White, Republican, Christians can do nothing wrong. I truly believe a mass murderer could move next door to him and as long as he was going to Mass on Sunday and wore a I hate Liberals T-shirt, Lost would completely ignore the screams at night and the blood spilled everywhere.

[Robby999 1,024]

What did you expect to happen? Holder hates competition in blackmarket weapon deals!

[lostinblue 1,989]

In 2006, Yee was named to the Gun Violence Prevention Honor Roll by the Brady Campaign for his efforts that included co-authoring a first-in-the-nation bill to require new semiautomatic handguns be equipped with ballistics identification technology known as micro-stamping.

In 2013, he stood with law enforcement officials and then-Los Angeles Mayor*Antonio Villaraigosa*to propose a bill that would regulate assault weapons.

The liberal elite ... know that the people simply cannot be trusted; that they are incapable of just and fair self-government; that left to their own devices, their society will be racist, sexist, homophobic, and inequitable -- and the liberal elite know how to fix things. They are going to help us live the good and just life, even if they have to lie to us and force us to do it. And they detest those who stand in their way."

Edited March 27, 2014 by lostinblue

[Sousuke 1,214]

So I live in the Bay Area….and this is freaking awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That guy has been such a trouble maker over the years.

[Pooky 3,840]

Clearly, he's corrupt and the only thing he really believes in is serving himself but it seems that in the eyes of some, the causes he is supposed to have espoused and the party he is supposed to support are somehow tainted by his corruption. That only holds water IF the party or the organisations he supports knew of and conspired in his corruption. I somehow doubt that is the case

If you follow the links in the original article, it's pretty clear that this state senator has been dogged by rumours of the legal kind for some time, so I doubt that this arrest comes as much of a surprise.

And it's funny how Republican politicians' failings are represented as reflecting that party, but the same linkage is denied when it's a Democrat politician mired in the poo.

What this episode makes plain is that most politicians' words are just that and they have no qualms about acting in complete contrast to their words, as if they are above their electorate.

Republican, Democrat, it doesn't really matter. They're all a bunch of self-serving weasels, who forget their job the moment they take office. And their job? To represent their constituents. One day they might remember that.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If you follow the links in the original article, it's pretty clear that this state senator has been dogged by rumours of the legal kind for some time, so I doubt that this arrest comes as much of a surprise.

And it's funny how Republican politicians' failings are represented as reflecting that party, but the same linkage is denied when it's a Democrat politician mired in the poo.

What this episode makes plain is that most politicians' words are just that and they have no qualms about acting in complete contrast to their words, as if they are above their electorate.

Republican, Democrat, it doesn't really matter. They're all a bunch of self-serving weasels, who forget their job the moment they take office. And their job? To represent their constituents. One day they might remember that.

Really? When Gov. Sanford took off with his South American flame, the GOP was labeled the adulterer party? When Sen. Larry Craig looked for some male nookie in the airport bathroom the GOP was labeled the gay party? And when Christie blocked the George Washington Bridge the GOP became the party of manufactured traffic congestion? I must have missed all those news.

[Peikko 1,575]

Really? When Gov. Sanford took off with his South American flame, the GOP was labeled the adulterer party? When Sen. Larry Craig looked for some male nookie in the airport bathroom the GOP was labeled the gay party? And when Christie blocked the George Washington Bridge the GOP became the party of manufactured traffic congestion? I must have missed all those news.

Exactly, it's only ever reflects badly on any party when the party have colluded in the nefarious activities. This idiotic attempt to create associations were none are to be found are just more obfuscation. If that's what turns people on then I guess we can expect more of the same type of crappy articles and faux outrage...oh wait this isn't new it it?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Really? When Gov. Sanford took off with his South American flame, the GOP was labeled the adulterer party? When Sen. Larry Craig looked for some male nookie in the airport bathroom the GOP was labeled the gay party? And when Christie blocked the George Washington Bridge the GOP became the party of manufactured traffic congestion? I must have missed all those news.

A liberal trafficking arms and a conservative involved in bridge traffic.... Same weight in a liberals eyes

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Manufactured conspiracies are central to the tribal mindset of a lot of VJ posters.

Everything must be be interpreted and repackaged as being part of some grand design. Maybe the US needs another civil war.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Exactly, it's only ever reflects badly on any party when the party have colluded in the nefarious activities. This idiotic attempt to create associations were none are to be found are just more obfuscation. If that's what turns people on then I guess we can expect more of the same type of crappy articles and faux outrage...oh wait this isn't new it it?

It is not. For the number of people on here who lay claim either to being bipartisan or unaffiliated to the major parties, there's a lot of partisanship going on.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A liberal trafficking arms and a conservative involved in bridge traffic.... Same weight in a liberals eyes