Despite M$Greedia's noticeable absence David Brooks convicted of fraud

[malaise]

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/09/hurricane-brooks-the-trial-of-the-century-finally-ends/62951/
<snip>
The trial of the century in the United States--hands down, don't even try to compare it with anything else-- began eight months ago in the wind and snow of New York's Long Island. It ended suddenly Tuesday morning in late-summer sunshine when federal jurors finally convicted David H. Brooks, the former body armor manufacturer and newborn television legend.

What made special the longest trial anyone can remember in Central Islip wasn't that it ultimately generated guilty verdicts against the former body armor manufacturer on all 17 counts against him--corporate fraud, insider trading, conspiracy, obstruction of justice, etc. Federal prosecutors clearly had a strong case to present. And U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert generally allowed them to present it over the protestations of defense attorneys.

What made the trial truly unique was the chaotic, even devilish way in which it unfolded. Unwieldy, threatening, full of sound and fury and breathtaking moments, Hurrricane Brooks might be the simplest way to describe the tumult that took place at the (relatively) new Alphone D'Amato United States Courthouse. At times, there was as much drama and intrigue in the courtroom outside of the presence of jurors as there was when jurors were present and receiving evidence. And it's not like jurors were all angels, either, or the case on the merits was a yawner.

Too salacious perhaps for The New York Times (which chimed in here in mid-trial), apparently too much trouble for the Associated Press, and unrecordable as a federal trial court proceeding, the Brooks trial might have been lost to posterity had it not been for veteran Newsday reporter Robert Kessler. Fortunately, for history's sake and our own, the brave and dutiful Kessler (he was the target of defense motions toward the end of the trial) regularly covered the proceedings--the only journalist to do so by anyone's reckoning. His post-verdict piece just drips with understatement. Of the Brooks trial, Kessler wrote:

[Hissyspit]

1. kick nt

[malaise]

2. And yet these fuckers send helicopters to follow

Paris Hilton to jail or rehab. This was a major trial and we saw nothing on TV - absolutely nothing. Still shaking head.

[MagickMuffin]

3. Yes the "media" gets to decide how well informed we are as a nation

As an observer of the "media" over the years I found this very sad and frustrating.

I remember when streakers were seeking attention, the media reported on it for a while. Then they used the acceptable response at the time and quit as they didn't want to encourage others.

Then it moved on to Protesters, whether they were against wars, or corporate takeovers, the media quit reporting it and their reasons were the same as the streakers, we don't want to encourage others. Although they always seemed to have reporters and cameras available at the G-8 summits, IF / WHEN the protesters started rioting. Of course they didn't interview anyone, just reported how "evil" these people were and how awful it was that they destroyed buildings by breaking glass windows and doors. We definitely don't want to encourage bad behavior.

However, when it comes to religious idiots who are set on destroying another persons religious books, the media is willing to supply so with unending coverage of these kooks. It no longer matters that it could encourage others to act out.

[malaise]

More here

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_exarmor_mogul_david_brooks_stole_6m_from_co_for_luxe_life_of_plastic_surgery_pro.html
<snip>
Body armor mogul David Brooks isn't bulletproof anymore after his conviction Tuesday in a $190 million ripoff.

The high-living multimillionaire was found guilty of looting his business to fuel a lavish lifestyle - including a $10 million Rainbow Room bat mitzvah where 50 Cent and Aerosmith serenaded his coming-of-age daughter.

Brooks was also convicted of using a pump-and-dump stock scheme in 2004 to clear $185 million in the sale of DHB Industries Inc. stock. The stock's value soon plummeted, wiping out stockholders.

The collapse didn't slow Brooks, 55, who had swiped more than $6 million to pay for an assortment of extravagances: a face-lift for his ex-wife, hookers for his employees, a $194,000 Bentley for himself.

"This is a case about naked greed," prosecutor Richard Lunger told the jury in opening arguments in January.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/09/14/2010-09-14_exarmor_mogul_david_brooks_stole_6m_from_co_for_luxe_life_of_plastic_surgery_pro.html#ixzz0zk2MCgOP

[glitch]

4. This is the first I've heard of it, thanks for posting. K & R nt

[malaise]

5. He spent $40,000 on invitations for his daughters

party and millions on the party itself. The criminal spent gazillions on a lavish lifestyle and gambled away more than a few million on horse-racing.
This is the fucker who sold faulty body armour to the military for Iraq and Afghanistan.

[SpiralHawk]

8. the k and the r

also = corporate media has abandoned journalism and the American people...

[malaise]

9. There was a lot posted about this back when he

was exposed. I'm just shocked that M$Greedia didn't cover this trial - this was a major trial and all of the corporate TV media ignored it - WHY?????

[blondeatlast]

7. Unbelievable. Except--considering our lazy, soft, and complacent "press,"

I can easily believe it.

I weep for our democracy, I really do.

[blondeatlast]

6. Big, BIG k/r. nt

[G_j]

10. K&R