Wow. Just wow. So, this is how California politics works? Get elected, commit some crimes, get removed from office, then return as a lobbyist. Influence peddling and a higher salary, without the stress of getting elected or listening to constituents.
There should be a law to bar convicted felons in public integrity crimes from operating as lobbyists.
The SacBee article began with this statement:
California gambling interests welcome Rod Wright back to Sacramento
Former state senator resigned last September after perjury conviction
Right away there's a problem. Wright was convicted of voter fraud and perjury. Eight counts. That's a big deal. Eight counts.
Right away there's a problem. Wright was convicted of voter fraud and perjury. Eight counts. That's a big deal. Eight counts.
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| Roderick Wright (Neon Tommy) |
He may have left the Capitol amid controversy last fall, but former state Sen. Rod Wright was welcomed back warmly on Thursday at an Internet poker conference hosted by Capitol Weekly.
Representatives from California’s gambling industries, who worked on several unsuccessful efforts to legalize online gaming when Wright was chair of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, crowded the Baldwin Hills Democrat, offering hugs and back slaps.
Wright did not leave amid controversy. He was convicted of eight felonies. Big difference. He did not leave. He was forced out, even though the prior State Senate President Darrell Steinberg dragged his feet, and suspended Wright and three other state senators with pay.
“It’s great to see you, and you are missed,” political strategist Jason Kinney said at the start of a panel he participated in with Wright.
Wow! Talk about tone-deaf. Political operatives miss Rod Wright? Really? Maybe more people should run for office who do not live in the districts which they claim to represent.
His signature humor on display, Wright lapped up the laughter as he introduced himself to the crowd: “And I don’t represent anybody.”
No, he sure doesn't, and based on the eight convictions, he never really did.
Wright was convicted of eight felonies last year for lying about where he lived when he ran for office in 2008. He resigned from the Senate in September and served 71 minutes in jail.
Wright said he sometimes misses Sacramento, and he has returned a few times in recent months to work with formerly incarcerated people. But he’s also enjoying his more relaxed lifestyle, happy to no longer be flying back and forth to Los Angeles.
He was incarcerated for all of seventy. . .minutes. Yes, minutes. He misses Sacramento? Residents and voters in the state should declare that they miss a legislature which was working in their interests instead of special interests, protecting our rights instead of pandering to public sector unions and illegal aliens.
“I can’t believe I did this s— every week,” he said.
Neither can I
Three Comments below outline some worthy comments, and necessary questions, which the SacBee reported should have asked but did not.
Wright did not leave amid controversy. He was convicted of eight felonies. Big difference. He did not leave. He was forced out, even though the prior State Senate President Darrell Steinberg dragged his feet, and suspended Wright and three other state senators with pay.
“It’s great to see you, and you are missed,” political strategist Jason Kinney said at the start of a panel he participated in with Wright.
Wow! Talk about tone-deaf. Political operatives miss Rod Wright? Really? Maybe more people should run for office who do not live in the districts which they claim to represent.
His signature humor on display, Wright lapped up the laughter as he introduced himself to the crowd: “And I don’t represent anybody.”
No, he sure doesn't, and based on the eight convictions, he never really did.
Wright said he sometimes misses Sacramento, and he has returned a few times in recent months to work with formerly incarcerated people. But he’s also enjoying his more relaxed lifestyle, happy to no longer be flying back and forth to Los Angeles.
He was incarcerated for all of seventy. . .minutes. Yes, minutes. He misses Sacramento? Residents and voters in the state should declare that they miss a legislature which was working in their interests instead of special interests, protecting our rights instead of pandering to public sector unions and illegal aliens.
“I can’t believe I did this s— every week,” he said.
Neither can I
Three Comments below outline some worthy comments, and necessary questions, which the SacBee reported should have asked but did not.
42 days ago
Chris Yeager
8 Felonies.... And he's back in the game spending 71 minutes in jail?
That is the Californian way... Crime pays bigger bills than honesty can only wish for.....
Good point. Why was nothing more made of this turn of events? So, a legislator commits a felony, yet he can come back as a lobbyist. Someone needs to pass a law to end this politician-lobbyist merry-go-round.
That is the Californian way... Crime pays bigger bills than honesty can only wish for.....
Good point. Why was nothing more made of this turn of events? So, a legislator commits a felony, yet he can come back as a lobbyist. Someone needs to pass a law to end this politician-lobbyist merry-go-round.
42 days ago
Anita Brady
The millions of dollars that prisons cost to build and maintain would need an increase in your tax dollars. Got cash? Personally, his downfall seems to be enough retribution.
Now, Dinesh D'souza on the other hand should go directly to jail. Instead of being discredited when he pleaded guilty to a felony, he converted his martyrdom in another right wing book and round of appearances on Fox.
42 days ago
Brian Dosher
out of all fairness, my state Senator lives just out of his district with approval from the senate. If you want to look it up he is Senator Ted Gains. I don't know why this guy lied about it when you can get it approved
There is nothing like the truth to set people free. Ted Gaines did the right thing (unlike Wright). Just tell the powers that be the truth and there will be a way to make everything work out for the best.
Final Reflection
How telling, if not ironic, that the very state senator who was gaming the system by claiming he lived in one place, but was living somewhere else, now represents the gambling industry as a lobbyist in Sacrament.
Ka-Ching!
The SacBee did report the eight felony convictions. Why more people did not learn about Wright's return to the legislature is beyond me.
More Californians have probably decided that it is easier just to move rather than pressure the legislature to start doing right by its constituents.
There is nothing like the truth to set people free. Ted Gaines did the right thing (unlike Wright). Just tell the powers that be the truth and there will be a way to make everything work out for the best.
Final Reflection
How telling, if not ironic, that the very state senator who was gaming the system by claiming he lived in one place, but was living somewhere else, now represents the gambling industry as a lobbyist in Sacrament.
Ka-Ching!
The SacBee did report the eight felony convictions. Why more people did not learn about Wright's return to the legislature is beyond me.
More Californians have probably decided that it is easier just to move rather than pressure the legislature to start doing right by its constituents.
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