Pork Rinds = Jail Time

Appalachia mayor Ben Cooper gets 2 years in jail.

Prosecutors said Ben Cooper bought votes with beer, cigarettes and even pork rinds and directed 13 others in a conspiracy that also included stealing absentee ballots from the mail.
"I hang my head in shame and disgrace," Cooper said Wednesday as he wiped away tears while reading a statement to Wise County Circuit Judge Tammy McElyea.
McElyea ordered concurrent sentences that amounted to 10 years in prison. The balance of that sentence will be suspended after Cooper serves a two-year jail sentence and then completes another two years of electronically monitored home arrest.
"This just stabs at the heart of our country," McElyea said. "You disenfranchised every person in Appalachia that had a right to vote in that election." (LINK)

Cooper is the only one to receive serious jail time. I am glad this is finally over. Appalachia is a great town and the people deserve better. The price tag of this case can be found here. 1,000 charges against 14 defendants ay $90 an hour came to $150,000.

Technorati : Appalachia, Appalachia Voter Fraud, Virginia, Virginia Politics, Wise County Virginia