Justices hostile towards anti-corruption law

Supreme Court Justices are skeptical a commonly used ethics law is too vague to convict someone of fraud.

Enacted in 1988, the law states it is a crime “to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.” Several politicians and corporate executives have been prosecuted of fraud over the years based on the law, including former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Prosecutors said to avoid a trial delay, they will simply charge Blagojavich with something new, according to a Chicago Sun-Times article.

Under the law, Justice Antonin Scalia claimed every “bad act” is a crime and gives prosecutors and judges the ability to decide what is a crime without giving warning to citizens.

“A citizen is supposed to be able to understand the criminal law,” Breyer said, yet it is unclear what this law brands a crime, said a Chicago Tribune article.

Justice Steven G. Breyer estimated 140 million of the 150 million workers in America could be prosecuted under the current interpretation of the law.

The law came under questioning when a case involving Conrad M. Black, a newspaper executive convicted of defrauding Hollinger International, argued it unconstitutional. The court also heard an appeal from former Alaska legislator Bruce Weyhrauch, convicted of soliciting work from am oil-based company with business before the legislature.

More articles:

The final days of honest-services-fraud - The Huffington Post

Justices appear skeptical of anti-corruption Law - The New York Times

Supremes could weaken key anti-corruption law that helped convict Abramoff, Jefferson, others - TPM Muckraker