Chief In Black Panthers Case Transferred
By Wyatt Earp | December 29, 2009
You may remember this story from Election Day, when Black Panthers intimidated voters at a polling location in Philadelphia. You may also remember this story, where Attorney General Eric Holder dismissed all charges against the Black Panthers, even though there were several eyewitnesses and video evidence. I guess because the Panthers were demanding people vote for Obama, it wasn’t technically “intimidation.”
Well, the Justice Department voting rights chief who signed off on the original intimidation charges is a man by the name of Christopher Coates. And guess what? He was just transferred from Washington to South Carolina.
William Teach has the details of the curious story:
I’m sure the transfer was just routine, and had nothing to do with the case, and this was not about retaliation, right? Right? RIGHT?
The veteran Justice Department voting rights section chief who recommended going forward on a civil complaint against members of the New Black Panther Party after they disrupted a Pennsylvania polling place in last year’s elections has been removed from his post and transferred to the U.S. attorney’s office in South Carolina.
Justice Department officials confirmed Monday that Christopher Coates, who signed off on the complaint’s filing in federal court in Philadelphia in January accusing the party and three of its members of civil rights violations, would begin his new assignment next month.
Coates was one of the people involved in the Black Panthers case who was told by the DOJ to not cooperate with the CRC investigation.
This may just be a run-of-the-mill transfer. Thus far, Coates has not commented. It is interesting that Coates is transferred seven months after the case he signed off on was summarily dismissed by the administration.
Topics: Philly, Politics | 15 Comments »
December 29th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Smells fishy.
Meanwhile, at least it is warmer in S.C.
Hey, gotta look at the positives in things.
December 29th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
wasnt it the case that the JD had essentially won their case against the black panthers when the AG pulled the rug out on the case? Unbelievable that there has been much more of a outcry against this.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
This is a disgrace.
December 29th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
RT – Yeah, but it’s South Carolina. No offense to my Carolina readers.
Buzz – Yeah, Holder started this, but you have to wonder whose orders he was taking.
The Girl – It is. The entire case is disgraceful.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Guess they showed him.
Do what the DOJ tells you to,
or you’ll find yourself at Uhaul stocking up on boxes, bubble wrap and E-Z Tear Tape.
How much more proof do they need besides witnesses AND videotape?
Unbelievable.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Yeah there is a lot of retaliation going on these days eh’ dude…
December 29th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Mrs. Crankipants – The transfer raises questions, the original incident did not. Cut and dry case that the administration swept under the rug. Unreal.
Captain – Especially in this town.
December 29th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
The “Obama Justice” Department is an oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp”.
December 29th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
What color is Mr. Coates?
December 29th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Proof – Or honest politician.
Skip – I am not sure. I’ll have to look him up.
December 30th, 2009 at 5:33 am
We need this toad in South Carolina like a hole in the head. When will this plague end?
December 30th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Actually, I misunderstood this transfer. This is the guy who signed off on charging the panthers. As far as I am concerned he is welcome here.
December 30th, 2009 at 8:27 am
Change you can
believe innot comprehend.December 30th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
“Buzz – Yeah, Holder started this, but you have to wonder whose orders he was taking.”
I have no doubt who’s orders he was taken. It’s just so BLATANT that I cant believe media isn’t all over this. That year they wouldn’t shut up about the danger of politicizing the Justice Department. Now, they cant be bothered.
December 30th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Ralph – Yeah, he’s one of the good guys.
USAdmiral – Amen to that!
Buzz – Because back then it was Bush’s mess. They don’t care about Obama’s mess.