Hallinan Lets Griffin SkateNow we'll never knowHow many times did John Griffin vote in addition to what he was charged with? How did he come to choose the policeman's name under which he voted? Who, if anyone, instructed John Griffin to carrry out this fraud? As a "Yes" campaing precinct captain, did he instruct others under his command do vote fraudulently?
We'll never knowThanks to District Attorney Terence Hallinan, ADA Tom Bogott, and Judge Wallace P. Douglas, the citizens of San Francisco will never know.
 Tom Bogott and fellow ADA's gather for pretrial socializing
Tom Bogott heading into the courtroom
Home free - Griffin and his lawyer were all grins in the hallway afterwards. Bogott jumped out of the frame when he saw me lining up the shot of the three of them together - and I ran out of film. Lest you think, Hallinan is completely idle in investigating and prosecuting corruption in San Francisco, note this recent operation he and his staff are particulary proud of. His official policy on corruption. "Bribery of public officials undermines the very foundation of our government as well as public confidence in it," stated Hallinan. "Hopefully, others will get the message that attempting to corrupt public officials in this town will not be tolerated on my watch."
***DA Hallinan lets Griffin skate*** The long awaited trial of the "Yes" precinct captain who was charged with two counts of felony election fraud occured this morning in SF. The presiding judge was Wallace A. Douglas. The attorney representing the people of San Francisco was John Bogott, a senior staff member. Remember the charges? "District Attorney Terence Hallinan announced this morning that JOHN GRIFFIN of San Francisco, has been taken into custody, having been charged with two counts of voter fraud, Elections Code, Sections 18560(b) and (c). The charges relate to voting more than once and voting under an assumed name in the June 3, 1997, election, for ballot initiative including the stadium referendum (Propositions D and F)." Felonies, by the way. Count one
* Dropped to a misdemeanor Total cost if you are caught voting multiple times in a San Francisco election for the side supported by "official" San Francisco: $3,725 and some incovenience
Odds getting caught: remarkably slim Count two: Dismissed What did the people of San Francisco get from "Yes" precint captain John Griffin in exchange for allowing him to remain out of jail? Nothing. This is not how these cases are handled in other jurisdictions. From March 1996 Voter Handbook "Welcome" statement by Bill Jones, California Secretary of State: "A recent voter fraud case in Fresno County resulted in a three year sentence for an individual who cast an absentee ballot for a deceased relative. Although we are extremely interested in increasing voter participation, we will not tolera te any action that would jeopardize the integrity of the ballot box in California." At some point there was a discussion of when Mr. Griffin would appear at his first review to confirm that fines are paid and community service served. Exact quote from Tom Bogott of the DA's Office to Griffin's attorney: "It's up to you. Whatever your pleasure." If you'd like to register your comments about the DA's handling of this case, call this number and say you are a citizen who would like to make a public comment. Letters are also encouraged.
SAN FRANCISCO DA's OFFICE
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