Shaun Kenney | Politics and Religion in Virginia's Public Square


Wednesday, July 09, 2003 Matricardi Fined, Three Years Probation for Eavesdropping Not a bad deal, and what surprises me most is the leniency of the judge: The former executive director of the state Republican Party was sentenced yesterday to three years probation, 180 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine for eavesdropping on Democratic conference calls. (Judge) Spencer said he "agonized" over Matricardi's sentence, feeling that giving Matricardi jail time would set an example. "I think about the young Democrats and young Republicans fermenting on college campuses and getting ready to join the culture wars," Spencer said. "They need to know that the minute they put party above principle they step over the line. They denigrate the system.There is wrong and right and what Mr. Matricardi did was wrong." In the end, Spencer added, he decided to give Matricardi "the individual treatment he deserves," rather than make an example of him. The snip may make the judge sound a bit too high and mighty, but the article really went to lengths to show what a class act Judge Spencer was concerning this case. A previous article showed a contrite and humbled Matricardi, detailing how the case had affected his family and his career. That's how justice should work - weight the contrition of the defense with the severity of the crime. I don't think that anyone will be listening in on any phone calls anytime soon. posted by Shaun Kenney \| 7/09/2003 07:01:00 AM \| 0 comments 0 Comments: Post a Comment Home
	RedStormPAC $ JEFFERSONIAD POLL: Whom do you support for Virginia Attorney General? 1) John Brownlee 2) Ken Cuccinelli View Results About ShaunKenney.com is one of Virginia's oldest political blogs, focusing on the role of religion and politics in public life. Shaun Kenney, 30, lives in Fluvanna County, Virginia. Contact E-mail RSS/Atom Feed The Jeffersoniad Archives March 2002 April 2002 May 2002 June 2002 July 2002 August 2002 September 2002 October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 April 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009