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Gwinnett commissioner, son plead guilty to taking bribe
http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/gwinnett-commissioner-son-plead-1450048.html

In September, the complaint said, Fanning and Cain flew to the New York area to assist in collecting what they thought would be a multiple-kilogram shipment of cocaine.

NO WONDER we need a BIGGER airport, those little jets don’t carry enough product…

Fanning, 34, who runs a landscaping business, told the judge he'd made "a very stupid mistake."

"I'm still very young, still learning a lot," he said. "I made a paid mistake. I got in over my head, your honor."

It seems MOM was a good teacher too!!! Gwinnett’s own Ma Barker...

Wow...

What incredibly foolish actions...I'm hoping her sentence is a long one. It's well deserved.

Wow, was my first sentiment too Steve - just wow!

It's sad to see all these things from the Bannister crew. With the airport, and the garbage plan I think it's very clear what the motives were behind the commissioners that supported those plans.

:-) :-) :-)

No sir not in the least.......... Are you?

Glad they caught the crooks!! It's truly sad how some people think they are above the law.

first time hearing about bribe in USA. what could be the punishment for these people. A very common situation in India, and very less or no punishment in India

www.ezdrivingtest.com

Its not over yet--- Briscoe Field was mentioned in the article and because there is a cloud over the entire process, it should be tabled indefinitely. Whether you are for or against we should all be for fair and honest process and this calls the entire process into question. Let the upcoming elections sort this out.

When it rains, it pours, without people getting a "feeling" that something was WRONG, the government would not have begun this investigation. If you sense something is wrong or just plain iffy, then it is your duty as a citizen of this great city, county, or country to bring it to the attention of the media at the very least or a governmental hot line. POO to those who say, "ARE YOU ACCUSING SOMEONE OF SOMETHING?????? POO on you that you can not even read between the lines or that you fail to see the writing on the wall or they you won't even consider that this can happen in our community. As money gets tight, & we have not seen the worse of it yet, we will continue to see more of this white collar stealing. Yet, I just have to wonder at what point did THEY begin to fancy themselves as high class thieves. As I witnesses a quick sly greasing of the palm, as a check went from one hand to another without a word spoken, at a recent political rally,then a quick slipping the check into the inner coat pocket, I could not help to wonder if the check was a payment for something to come or just a political donation. IF you see or hear something that does not make sense, call it as it is & let the professionals take over.That is just what happened in this case & "WOW" is what most are now saying.Do not let someone steal your government from you because you are made to feel less for having the talent to sense wrong, when you fell it or sense it or even see it! Educate & VOTE!

Unlike Bannister and Kenerly she admitted her guilt right out of the box. Yes she is guilty by her own admisson and the process worked. She made a mistake and admits it, wish Bannister and Kenerly would own up to what they did. Now she must serve her time for what she did, at least it did not cost the taxpayers a court trial.

MACK, I hate to say it but I have noticed that men tend to get all high and mighty and forget where their power cam from-the people. So they refuse to acknowledge their mistake in the beginning thinking they are wise beyond the thoughts of others and of course they have their cohorts telling them, "Hang in they- they will never get you!" This is said because they know if HE goes down so will they!!! She must have some fear in her to want to admit, ask for forgiveness, serve her sentence and begin her life anew OR she is getting PAID to take the FALL so those DEALING with her will not GO DOWN WITH HER! Not talking about her bumbling boys!!

FLOYD, The good old boy system is not immune to women. It is just that the GOOD OLD BOYS protect themselves by having talking heads, like you, shoot down any woman who dares to speak the truth! NICE TRY BUT NO CIGAR! ....OOPS ...THAT MIGHT HAVE BROUGHT UP SOME SORE MEMORIES OF THE PAST NOW!!!! Hey how is that good old Clinton doing...still impeached and trying to rewrite history with his CLINTON PROJECT!?!?!? Snicker Snicker......!

So FLOYD, You admit that BRIBES are not given in a public location for all to see. Thanks for the education and just how do YOU know that? Come to the DINNER DEBATES on June 14th at Stars and Strikes on Hwy 8 and Hwy 316 to hear each candidate's plans for our future. YOU ARE WELCOME to sit in the front row and if you like, send a question, for the debate, to me as well! All are invited, the experienced voter and the new voter. It is an opportunity to see what each man will bring to the board if he is elected. Education is the right of every voter and educated you will be after this JUNE 14th Dinner Debate. Don't Miss It! Only 100 persons will be seated. Dinner is available if you want to make it a date night! I might suggest the Patty Melt but, my husband swears by the Philly Steak Sandwich, either way it is going to be a night worth watching. Send you questions to Kristi for the candidates. Even an old timer like you can come up with a question or two and I look forward to meeting you there Floyd!

Cant wait till they turn states evidence to save themselves and the house of cards begin to fall.

This is hard to believe with all these Commissioners. We need term limits. It seems some people get into politics so they can make money. I wouldn't be surprised if there is more to this story.

Ray...some do get into politics for money and power and it's a shame. I personally know people who have held public office (but do not now) who I wouldn't buy an apple from. BUT...I also do know several people who conduct themselves as public servants in the truest form and conduct themselves with serious personal integrity.

That brought tears to my eyes .

R please dont make accusations against the onion , what ....R u THREATENING me ! LOL

Be interesting to see how deep this does go. I wonder if Mr heard's $100,000 consulting gig will be an issue. During the campaign he was pleading poor poor business man. He gets elected and boom new "Consulting" gig Hummmm. Not making any accuzations mind you & I don't have any evidence either, just wondering.

@ Tim - You just dropped Floyd’s post count by 2 here … (Smiles)
Disclaimer you did run for the seat - (kills the third post ...)

Commissioner Heard’s gig may become an issue, because even though he publicly recuses himself, that also means he’s in effect recused his resident base from representation on the related development project(s).Other commisioners may or may not pick up the slack for the 4th.

(GOOD Thing BTW - separating from possible future conflicts of interest - no problem with that) For most leaders, it’s a one-time property transaction or vendor purchase, but if more than that - could be....

RAY< We have term limits in place, yes, yes we do! We just don;t vote them in the next time their term is up. THis time we have the ability to send a man back or give him the heave ho. The VOTING public does in deed set terms limits. What we need is a program to develop upcoming candidates for the upcoming elections. Without that current officials stay in office until an "HOT ISSUE" comes up and the dissatisfied get up in arms and vote the current holder out! I would like to see a system where people are prepared for the elections each year. Attending meetings, speak at community HOA meetings, bring new issues to the BOC meetings, write blogs about their opinions on current issues, and attend classes that will prepare them for the work of the office. They should be vetted before being able to run for office. They should have to pass a lie detector test each year in office to discourage the behavior we currently see affecting our leaders. There should be a more active office that looks for actions such as pandering for the sale of their votes. In a perfect world maybe someday but until then we have this system and however flawed it still is the best we have. Attend the "2012 YOUR VOTE COUNTS DINNER DEBATE" on June 14th at Stars and Strikes at 6pm!

More Lasseter news: A friend has set up an account at a Duluth bank to benefit former Gwinnett County commissioner Shirley Lasseter, who pleaded guilty Thursday to accepting bribes in federal court.
http://dacula.patch.com/articles/benefit-account-set-up-for-lasseter-e696e705

If you have ever had the opportunity to personally ask Mike Boo-dreaux about his plans for the airport expansion you have seen how he takes it personal and quickly goes on the attack by belittling you with accusations of ignorance. He has made the statement that "most people in Gwinnett want the airport expansion... I suspect that the posts against it are all from one or two people with several user names." Well, after reading the posts on this article I wonder if ol Floyd may be Sky King Boo-dreaux himself? Same snippy, rude responses to anyone against crony government.

BROWOLF You now understand FLoyd. Floyd is the first to say.....ARE YOU ACCUSING SOMEBODY and YOU Are stupid!!!!! The rest of the world have come to the conclusion that people that if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. Floyd holds to "Your Stupid because your opinion is not mine so now I will have to threaten you with a threat because you threatened my guy! We are used to it. Arrogance is a strange quality in that those whom have it recognize it in everyone other than themselves. Plants are persons that hold the job to attack and confront anyone that speaks out against their man. It is effective in non republic countries because they do not have freedom of speech. We take the threats as "Fodder From Floyd." He may be a nice guy but we will never know as he is doing his job quite well. Many will not comment after being "typewiped" by Floyd, but most just understand he is doing his job and we move on to the real truth. I real man can admit his mistakes and change his mind. A little man will hold to his mistake and call all others fools!

I real man can admit his mistakes and change his mind. A little man will hold to his mistake and call all others fools!...... I think its safe to say you can add Woman to this also.

This is laughable. Whenever something appears that has to do with county commissioners the people who posts a comment are completely biased or trying to hide there real identity. It doesn't take much research to find out that Floyd Ackridge used to campaign for Mike Beaudreau, Cynthia Montgomery has been in a snit against Beaudreau for years, Kevin Osborn and R are either buddies or the same person and R is actually Mike Korom's campaign worker Rich Carithers. Take a look at the other things that have been written and if they mention a county commission person almost all the comments come from the same group of people and they always wind up calling each other names. Childish and unproductive.

I like your name , we will try to up or production and get more serious that way you want have to appear and correct our childish ways . Thanks !! R i mean Kevin .

sorry for the typo sir ..our should have been used when or was incorrectly used . I was so jolted by being spanked . Thanks!! Kevin i mean R .

YOU are correct Kevin, 'ABOUT A SMALL PERSON NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND", and that is why after seeing Mike at the Flying Machine I wrote (PATCH BLOG IN APRIL) about how he had indeed become a true talking, looking and sounding politician from the first time I met him so many years ago at my front door as a young man. Stirling, it is good to see that you are becoming a more common voice o the Patch, yet you should go back and reread each of us before you make comments that are untrue, I am sure you fall into the category that is someone holds an opinion they are to KEEP IT TO THEMSELVES! We don;t think that way. If we didi, we would just sit at home and complain about our community to ourselves and do NOTHING else. People on the PATCH are active, politically involved, strong minded and are proud of it! We do not see having an opinion as anything other than the ability to think and discern. I like that about the Patch People! An exchange of ideas is great until a somebody come along and says WE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO OUR OPINIONS!!! Maybe in China but not here in little old DACULA! Oh and we also allow fast fingers that make mistakes because most of us are just checking in now and again and are not taking a grammar "tist!!"

WHY Kevin, after reading ur last two post, I believe you would be a lot of FUN at a party. Hope you are going to come to the Big Party on June14th at the Stars and Strikes for the "2012 YOUR VOTE COUNTS DINER DEBATE." Maybe you can seek me out and give me some of your dry humor, as we are sure to need it on that night of all nights. If u can't make it at "leest" send in a question or two!

Hey now! What type of a friend sets up a bank account for donations for someone who confesses to taking bribes? LOL!?!? Wow, that just makes me laugh! Does she not have any of her bribe money left? Now that is a TRUE friend or a dump friend!

I hope to be at that debate , me and R will need just one chair .

Yes Maam .............. R promises .

I am late to the party on this one. I was out of town...so I had no idea but what the crap is going on???????

Why is it that more than 50% of our BOC members have gone out in disgrace?

Why has it taken this long for the FEDS and law enforcement to get hip to their game? We have been SCREAMING for years that something is not right with the BOC yet time after time we have had these scammers stealing our money.

The arrogance of the three who have been deported from the ranks!! (Oh my manure does not stink I can do whatever I want because I am on the mighty BOC!!)

For once I agree with Cynthia....if it walks like a duck...its a freekin' duck.

Floyd....find a short pier!! There is no way that your pal had no idea that the "3" were up to no good! He sat in meetings with all "3" but had no idea? Next, you will be telling is that Lasseter did not really take the money and have her Briscoe vote for sale even though she has admitted it!!!

For crying out loud......vote the last bum from the old regime out!!!!

Its the only way we can be sure that we have a fresh group on the BOC!!!!

I see the comments have gone laughable to predictable. "R" Carithers has protested way too much, Kevin Osborn tried to deflect attention by joking and Cynthia attacked me because I questioned her motives. At least Cynthia is real, although a bit confused. I wasn't the one who brought up a typing mistake, that was "R". And I also never said you shouldn't express your own opinion-- that seems to be what you're saying.

Cargill, I am one who believe everyone is responsible for their own opinions and should indeed express them, as in freedom of speech! But when it turns to, "He said She said!" then is gets boring. What was the original topic? What is your opinion on that topic? I am more interested on your opinion the on your opinion of my opinion. Small minds discuss people, average minds discuss topics and great minds discuss ideas. We will be discussing ideas at the "2012 YOUR VOTE COUNTS Dinner Debate in June 14th , Hope you will be there. Only 75 seats left! First come - first served!

R, I am enjoying! Thanks for the quick witted comments!!!