The Lion Sleeps with the Lamm--Updated (Again)

I usually carry a little blue mead spiral notebook so I can keep track of things--daily reminders, appointments, mileage, what I eat, the names of people who tick me off, my weight, the first hundred digits of Pi.  You know, the usual stuff.  One section is filled with stuff I call "Pundit Partials."   

"Pundit partials" are just what they sound like;  it's a list of story ideas that are generated by things that I find odd or interesting.   They aren't important on their own but often two or three pundit partials coalesce into a full blown story.  Sometimes I get a tip and sometimes I get lucky, but pundit partials often become pundit stories. 

Take this story by Channel 3's Carey Pena about Andrew Thomas that aired on Wednesday night. The story is about the high level of fraudulent petitions found in the Arizona Civil Rights Initiative (ACRI) and how that might reflect badly on Thomas since he was the Chairman.

Isn't that odd?   If the angle is petition fraud in initiatives supported by elected officials, why not ask the Governor about TIME?   TIME, State Trust and ACRI had the same group of circulators and the same problems.  Napolitano supported two of the initiatives and Thomas supported the other one.  Does anyone really think that either Napolitano or Thomas committed fraud or knew about the fraud?  It's not reasonable for Pena to single out Thomas with her long breathless story.

Sounds like something for the pundit partials list.

Then I noticed that Sonoran Alliance has an interesting story about a defense attorney named Jason Lamm who has endorsed Thomas' opponent Tim Nelson and given him the maximum campaign contribution.  Sonoran Alliance points out that Lamm calls himself a "Child pornography lawyer." 

In fact, Yvonne Wingett prominently features Lamm in this Republic story.

Jason Lamm, a Phoenix criminal defense attorney, believes that Thomas is more driven by agendas that cater to popular opinion rather than running the prosecutor's office. That's why he donated the $390 maximum to Nelson.

Isn't that odd?  Considering that Thomas' team is referring to Nelson as "ACLU Tim" you would think that a guy who specializes in Child Pornography defense would keep a lower profile in the campaign.

Definitely something for the Pundit Partial list.

So if you Google Jason Lamm, you get a lot of interesting stuff and eventually you even find out where he and his wife registered for their wedding last year.

Jason Lamm and his wife...Carey Pena...were registered at Williams Sonoma and Bloomingdale's. 

Now I have two more items on my Pundit Partials list to check out.  Is that the same Carey Pena?  What's Channel 3's ethics policy about reporters writing hit pieces about one side of the campaign while the reporter's husband writes checks to the other side of the campaign?

But most importantly...did they get that espresso machine that they wanted?

Comments

[Gayle]

I'm lovin' your stuff like a yummy double tall latte. You even worked in the Espresso Machine! YOU ROCK- Extra Raw Sugar for you EP.
But enough of the evil representation of child porno and annoying lil plants er a anchors.

Let's talk about the hairdos on CH.3-- Coiffer Extrordinaire Rolf should be forced to turn in his highlights and bar-b-q basting brush toot sweet. If anyone else at CH3 gets Chop n' lites I am gonna hurl a curler. Extensions are another crime against journalism. Let's get some good hair people! Where is Heidi Foglesong?!
Thank Gawd for Royal Norman and his simple style, bad suits, and nifty real time lightening graphics. I miss Bill Close and the Bola Tie News... Sniff..

'Kay gotta get back to thinking about myself.

[Dave K.]

Why would it hurt his campaign? So the people who already weren't going to vote for him anyway, still aren't going to, and those who were going to, still are.

I often wonder if there should be photos of media talking heads next to the entry for the word "clueless" in the dictionary ...

[North Valley Republican]

You are good.

And, I'm willing to bet that the Lamm family is upset that this link was discovered. What a waste of journalistic ethics to have run that story. Talk about a bottom feeder!

[silver surfer]

Wow, Greg. Excellent work. I think this merits an explanation by Pena's station. I remain a big fan of yours - you never disappoint and I think this is a huge scoop!

[John]

You know, if you click on Pena's photo, you can read her email address. Maybe we should ask her about this conflict of interest?carey_pena@azfamily.com

You think that's what azfamily means? They're all just married to each other?

[Sarah]

Let's see, a liberal, unethical reporter marries a liberal, unethical lawyer who has been censured by the state bar (http://azbar.org/LegalResources/findlawyer.cfm), and who advertises himself as "the leading criminal defense attorney in the defense of child pornography charges" on his website. http://www.cyberlawaz.com/child-pornography-attorney.asp

What a pair! And with friends like this, Tim Nelson hardly needs any enemies. What was Nelson thinking accepting money from this guy?!

[Matt]

More good work, Greg.

[George]

Excellent work, Greg.

[silver surfer]

01-1570 Disposition Summary
* * * * * * * * * * *

By Supreme Court Judgment and Order dated March 26, 2003, Jason D. Lamm, 5050 North 8th Place, Suite 12, Phoenix, Arizona 85014, was censured by consent. Mr. Lamm was placed on one year’s probation, including participation in the Member Assistance Program and attendance at the Ethics Enhancement Program. Mr. Lamm must pay the State Bar’s costs and expenses of $728.40, with interest.

Mr. Lamm was a deputy Maricopa County Attorney. Prior to leaving the County Attorney’s Office, he was told of the investigation and subsequent arrest of Terry Alexander. While Mr. Alexander was in custody at the Madison Street Jail, Mr. Lamm misled a detention officer in order to talk to Mr. Alexander while he was in custody. Mr. Lamm was going to be leaving the County Attorney’s Office to go into criminal defense work and spoke with Mr. Alexander thinking he could solicit future referrals. Mr. Lamm’s statements to Mr. Alexander caused Mr. Alexander to misunderstand Mr. Lamm’s role and Mr. Lamm did nothing to correct this misunderstanding. In aggravation, Mr. Lamm had a dishonest or selfish motive. In mitigation, Mr. Lamm did not have a prior disciplinary record, he provided full and free disclosure and cooperated with the State Bar, and he was remorseful. Mr. Lamm violated ER 4.3, 7.3 and 8.4(c).

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[todd]

I am still wondering how exactly is it unethical for the spouse of a reporter to donate to a political campaign?

[John 2]

Its not unethical to donate to a campaign but, it raises an appearance, even the actuality, of corruption to do a biased hit piece after the contribution.

[todd]

John 2, so a reporter can't report on officials because of polticial contributions their spouse makes. Still not seeing the ethical problem here.

[Ray Stern]

"Then I noticed that Sonoran Alliance has an interesting story about a defense attorney named Jason Lamm who has endorsed Thomas' opponent Tim Nelson and given him the maximum campaign contribution. Sonoran Alliance points out that Lamm calls himself a 'Child pornography lawyer.'"

Scroll down to see what SA left out of what you call an "interesting story:"

(and see if you still wonder why I'm interested in your source...)

Self-Described Best Child Pornography Defense Attorney in Valley Endorses Tim Nelson
Thomas Asks Nelson to Repudiate Endorsement

PHOENIX, AZ - September 17, 2009 - County Attorney candidate Tim Nelson has received a record amount of contributions from lawyers representing Valley criminals.

Many of the criminal defense attorneys who have raised $26,000+ for the Nelson campaign have active cases before the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

One of Nelson's maxed-out contributors and endorsers is Jason Lamm.

According to Lamm's own web site he has "..become recognized as the leading criminal defense attorney in the defense [of] child pornography charges and has handled dozens of cases not only in Phoenix and throughout Arizona, but all around the country.."

His website goes on to say, "Arizona law requires a prison sentence of 10-24 years per image in your possession or on the hard drive of your computer...More times than not, this translates to a life sentence upon conviction, which we as child pornography lawyers can help you avoid (emphasis added).

Lamm doesn't call himself the less pejorative title of a child pornography defense attorney, but rather, and shockingly, calls himself a "child pornography lawyer."

In a newspaper article just last week, Lamm offered public support for Nelson while chastising his opponent, Andrew Thomas.

"Given this attorney's roster of clients and practice area in the law, his support of Mr. Nelson certainly doesn't inspire confidence in his public safety plans. It would be appropriate for my opponent to repudiate his endorsement," Thomas said.

For more information or to arrange interviews with Mr. Thomas please call Jason Rose at 602-791-4488 or Jim Sharpe at 602-363-4780.

-30-

Paid for by Andrew Thomas for County Attorney

Jim Sharpe

Rose & Allyn Public Relations

[todd]

I noticed there does not seem to be a denial of the New TImes' description of what happened. What's the story here - is the Pundits Partial list not all its cracked up to be?

[Andrew Kessler]

I am a criminal defense attorney who frequently represents those, who like Jason Lamm's clients, are considered guilty unless proven innocent. I also happen to know Jason Lamm. Jason knows his clients are accused of some of society's most unsavory acts, but recognizes that they are entitled to a presumption of innocence and a defense. He zealously represents his clients, and of that he should be proud. To those of you who think otherwise, I hope one day one of your loved ones is never accused of a crime they did not commit. By your standards, there should not be a trial, just a summary execution. What do you say of the defendant who is acquitted and has had their lives ruined both financially and in the court of public opinion? GROW UP!!!!! Remember, everyone hates lawyers until they need one.....!!!

[seattle criminal attorney]

Interesting read. I will have to bookmark it for later.

[Jordan 1]

Who is to live happy! Have to live with dignity! Like lions to live! Lion is a symbol of power! Lion gives the impression that the sanctity of side