Federal Judge: "But you destroyed the faith of the people in their government."

Worthy of Review is the Posting from Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008:

Federal Judge Michael Mills: "But you destroyed the faith of the people in their government."

It takes a little longer for a big city investigation to come to light than it would in a smaller locale. But in addition to being patient, New Yorkers should be encouraged by the recent words of Federal U.S. District Court Judge Michael Mills, notably this Super Bowl day from the town that brought New York Eli Manning- Oxford, Mississippi. There are many issues common to little Oxford, Mississippi and big New York, New York: a need for federal intervention over state corruption; conspiracy; public corruption; and the destruction of the faith people have in their government.

Nowlin to serve thirty months in prison
The Oxford Eagle - by Alyssa Schnugg - February 1, 2008

Despite numerous letters from prominent community members and a glowing report of cooperation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, insurance agent Ken Nowlin was sentenced Thursday to spend 30 months behind bars in a federal prison for conspiracy.

Nowlin was charged in June with conspiracy for paying former Lafayette County Supervisor Gary Massey a “commission” during Massey’s term as supervisor.

In late July Nowlin pleaded guilty to the charge and had been awaiting his sentencing hearing which was held Thursday afternoon at the Federal Courthouse in Oxford before U.S. District Judge Michael Mills. The Ecru insurance agent told Mills he was sorry for his actions.

“I’d like to apologize to you, Judge (Glen H.) Davidson, the court, Lafayette County, my family and colleagues,” Nowlin said before the judge. “I’m sorry I made this terrible mistake ... I know I broke the law ... Somehow I was mislead.”

“Who mislead you?” Mills asked.

“An elected official, your honor,” Nowlin replied.

U.S. Assistant Attorney Dave Sanders told Mills that Nowlin has fully cooperated with the investigation by supplying documents and testifying before a grand jury against Massey.

“Mr. Nowlin has met with us on several occasions and sat down and clarified some things,” Sanders said. “It’s a complicated case and he’s always been cooperative.”

According to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Nowlin faced up to 30 months in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a motion for downward departure in Nowlin’s favor, asking the court to consider a sentence less than the guidelines stipulate since Nowlin was so cooperative.

But despite the request and his cooperation, Mills sentenced Nowlin to the maximum sentence of 30 months.

“Up until this offense your record was exemplary,” Mills said to Nowlin. “I’ve received many letters from some impressive people on your behalf ... But you destroyed the faith of the people in their government.”

Nowlin was also sentenced to pay $275,942 in restitution back to Lafayette County. Nowlin’s attorney, Tony Farese, told Mills that Nowlin had already paid the full restitution on Tuesday.

Mills allowed Nowlin to remain out of custody on bail until March 31 when he will have to report to a prison facility that will be determined at a later date.

Massey and Nowlin were originally charged in June for conspiracy, public corruption and money laundering in a 53-count indictment, which alleged Massey accepted payments in excess of $827,000 during his term as supervisor from 1996 -2003, for the Lafayette County Employee Health Care Contract paid through Nowlin, the agent of record at the time.

Massey pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy and two counts of public corruption. He is still awaiting a sentencing date.

Sanders announced during Thursday’s hearing that the remaining 52 counts against Nowlin will be dropped by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Before he became a supervisor in 1995, Massey was the insurance agent of record for Lafayette County. Federal prosecutors claim Massey used his influence to get Nowlin the job as insurance agent of record in exchange for the commission.

Prosecutors said Nowlin would receive payment for services in two checks made out to his office from plan administrator Total Plan Services. Nowlin took the checks and told his office to write a separate one to Massey for a “consulting fee.”
Posted by Corrupt Courts Administrator at 8:48 AM


11 comments (as of June 7, 2008):

from white plains new york said...
Very powerful stuff. Yes, the corrupt scum bastards have destroyed the faith I once had in my state and my government. Please bring that MS judge to NY. - February 3, 2008 9:26 AM

nyc resident said...
any faith I had in government disappeared along time ago what with all the corrupt Judges and their toadies - February 3, 2008 1:40 PM

taxpayer said...
I hope most people know better that to have any faith in their Government because the Govenment is always ripping them off... - February 3, 2008 6:45 PM

Anonymous said...
What do you mean you have destroyed the faith...who has faith in the government? What are you crazy? Screw you!!!!!!!!!!!! - February 3, 2008 7:41 PM

Eliot Bernstein / Iviewit / Bat out of hell said...
Would the outcome have been the same if this were a judging ruling on the sleazy attorney who probably was in the background hiding behind the agent and the gov official with judge almost in pocket. I mean if this were a case were the inbreeding of lawyers or judges were on the line for the same crime, they would get a raise and a job at Proskauer Rose with partnership in their IP department. The judge would have closed his eyes, ah but an insurance agent, sucked in by a scumbag politician gets the maximum. I guess we must read between the lines on these crumbs. It is good to see a judge actually doing anything but joining public corruption on the bright side.  Bat out of hell - February 3, 2008 7:42 PM

robin from gotham said...
hey, we all know that if the vermin proctologists of PROSKAUER ROSE had been involved the matter would have been WHITEWASHED & FIXED!!!!! - February 3, 2008 11:38 PM

Anonymous said...
HEY, PEOPLE WAKE-UP THESE BUMS DO NOT CARE ABOUT DESTROYING THE FAITH PEOPLE HAVE IN GOVERNMENT, ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS HOW MUCH CASH THEY CAN STEAL - February 4, 2008 9:23 AM

Anonymous said...
I wish my parents were alive....i would love to discuss NY corruption that existed back in the 50's and 60's....want to know if that was the beginning! would love to know when or if ordinary people saw judicial corruption back then! anyone in their 70's. 80's or 90's...please write in and let me know. need to trace something for a case...thanks! - February 4, 2008 10:27 AM

Anonymous said...
these bastards have killed us! - February 4, 2008 7:37 PM

Anonymous said...
We are a awake...we just don't have a solution for dealing with the complex and intense judicial system, that has embedded itself in not only the criminal element, but the massive and extensive billion dollar law enforcement and political agendas! Got any suggestions for exposing it all?!!!! - February 4, 2008 8:18 PM

Anonymous said...
this agent that sells insurance reminds me of that corrupt ford man from the tennessee waltz case. He might as well took the money from the taxpayers of lafayette county. No wonder why my taxes are so high!!!!!!!!!!! - February 16, 2008 10:57 PM