Strippergate Felon and Sen. Harry Reid
08:07 AM PT, May 10 2006
If you know the right people in Las Vegas you can apparently be a VIP to the very end, and beyond. As mentioned before, once County Commissioner and now convicted of multiple felonies, Dario Herrera was at one time proclaimed the future of Nevada politics. But I forgot to say who was doing the proclaiming: Senator Harry Reid who is currently Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. In fact, as Nevadans are well aware, Reid handpicked Herrera to run for Congress. Even back then there had been a few ethical incidents that suggested Herrera was probably not the best vessel to place the Congressional hopes of Nevada Democrats. In fact, it wasn't like Harry Reid didn't have his own suspicions or maybe just standing so close to Herrera so often one day he just noticed a stench. The Review-Journal this morning has Reid admitting that even back then he questioned Herrera about his level of corruption:
" 'I talked to him and specifically asked him during the Congressional race if he was doing anything wrong and he said "No".' "
But Reid apparently was hip and suspicious enough to not let it go at that. According to what Reid tells the R-J, he claims to have followed-up his questioning of Herrera:
"'I said, "Are you taking money from anyone you shouldn't?"
A certain owner of topless bars should have come to Herrera's mind at that point; instead Herrera informed Reid that he was pure enough for Congress (smile). Despite now how clear it was Herrera lied that day, Reid hasn't totally given up on his former golden boy, telling the R-J. "I think he's young enough when he finishes whatever the court metes out to him that he can still contribute to society." And, despite Herrera looking like a sleazy, greedy, idiot to all Las Vegas, Reid still describes Herrera as a "great talent" and a "tremendous intellect" in the R-J interview. Wasn't I just predicting a political comeback for Herrera post prison the other day?
Anyway, back to the VIP thing. After the convictions, Herrera's co-defendant, former commissioner Marry Kincaid-Chauncey, had to walk out the doors of the courthouse and face the cameras. But amazingly a member of Harry Reid's staff arrived to violate courthouse policies and use his access to escort Herrera through a private back entrance meant only for witnesses whose lives are in danger. According to The Review-Journal, Reid's office said the Senator didn't know his aide did that special service for Herrera and that it was a mistake. Despite the fact that any employee answerable to the U.S. Marshall office that controls the secure area of the courthouse would be punished for the infraction there are no plans by anyone to discipline the Minority Leader's aide.
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Whenever I drive from Henderson to Laughlin on US 95, I'm amused by the dummy-yes, not a real person- who sits in the police cruiser at the side of the road in Searchlight-Harry Reid's hometown. I guess it's sending a message about speeding, but maybe it's telling me a lot more. And I'm a Democrat....
Posted by: Robert Duggan | May 10, 2006 at 07:51 PM