Back in February, the acting Mayor of Dallas, TX suggested that the NRA should cancel their Annual Meeting and Exposition scheduled for early May. That was an idiotic and impossible idea. Those meetings are planned two or three years in advance, just as all large conferences are.

I’m not sure what, other than rank politics was in his mind. Maybe just making a virtue signalling statement for the press and his constituents. It doesn’t really matter.

Tonight, I saw this story.

Politican who protested Dallas NRA show pleads guilty to corruption charges

The outspoken Dallas mayor pro tem who balked at the National Rifle Association coming to town earlier this year resigned on Thursday after entering a guilty plea in federal court.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Dallas City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway pleaded guilty to conspiracy and tax evasion charges involving $450,000 in bribe and kickback payments stemming from securing a city school bus stop-arm camera contract for a Louisiana company. The Dallas Morning News later reported that Caraway resigned his public position in the aftermath of the revelations.

This is the press release from the US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

“Today’s guilty pleas are the results of a sensitive and complex investigation conducted by FBI Dallas’ Public Corruption Investigative Team with assistance from the Internal Revenue Service. The conspirators utilized their position of access and financial means to defraud the citizens of Dallas County,” said Eric K. Jackson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Dallas Division. “The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate any public servant who abuses their official position and access to benefit themselves financially at the taxpayer’s expense. Additionally, those who seek to exploit public servants with financial or material support will be identified and held accountable for their actions.”

“IRS Criminal Investigation uses financial investigative expertise to pursue those individuals who engage in corruption and tax fraud,” said Tamera Cantu, IRS Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office. “Merging the unique skills of each agency makes a formidable team as we investigate those who violate the public’s trust. Today’s actions underscore that the law applies to everyone, regardless of position or power.”

The press release is long, but well worth the read.

Taking a bribe is stupid, especially if you involve a bunch of people. Two of whom already plead guilty. Which means that they are now going to be looking for a way to get a shorter prison term.

Of course committing tax fraud isn’t particular bright either. That’s how the government finally put Al Capone away over 90 years ago.

I can’t say I feel particularly bad for this guy, although I do feel sympathy for his family.

Sentencing will take place sometime later this year, I suppose. I also won’t be surprised if this goes deeper and Mr. Caraway doesn’t decide to cooperate with the FBI and IRS.

These are the types of investigations that the FBI built it’s reputation on, and the type that they should focus on.