I read some news stories and all they said was "lewd conduct". What did he actually do that was that bad?
Apparently, he was "hitting on" an undercover cop in the stall adjacent to his. Basically, they released a tape of the conversation, and he kept denying he did anything wrong. BUT, he plead guilty to the charges. I honestly don't know what the man was thinking.
Well, technically, he wasn't just "hitting on" the cop. This happened in public restroom, so it was considered a little ill-mannered for a senator. It's messed up- listen to the recording of his statements. The cop tells him that he won't tell the media about the incident, and even says that if he pleads guilty, he can leave. I would've gotten my lawyer!
The lesson is don't try and have sex in a public washroom. Who cares if it's gay sex or straight sex, I don't want to see two strangers getting off while I'm trying to do my business. It's really disgusting. If you want sex be smart enough to do it in a private place.
I doubt it was going to lead to sex. Think about it, he's a senator. He has too much to risk by having sex with a stranger in a bathroom. I'm sure he was either looking for something else, or he actually was innocent.
technically, i believe the actual charge that he pleaded guilty to was for staring/peeking thru the crack in the restroom door at the undercover cop before he even did the footsy thing under the stall.. I really dont get what the BIG deal is.. so what if he's gay? i wouldn't care.. as for soliciting sex in bathrooms - ok, that's pretty scummy, but if he was doing his job as a Senator I wouldn't care.. might not vote for him in the next election, but c'mon... i just dont understand all the hub-bub..
It was part of a sting operation due to there being a known issue with men going into the stalls for sex. The officer sat in the one stall. Sen. Craig peeked through the opening, waiting for the next stall over to open up. He then tapped his foot several times, usually an indication that they're there to meet. He then ran his hand under the stall using various gestures. Finally Craig moved his foot next to the officer's, who then flashed his badge underneath and pointed at it. Craig then exclaimed "nooo!" Craig never told anyone about his arrest. There were rumors circulating for years that he was gay. It doesn't matter to me if he is or not. I also don't think it necessarily warrants his resigning. Considering his stance on gay rights and all that, I do find this to be pretty hypocritical of him though.
Heres his interrogation video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBChWSpVCyQ Apparently they were on the toilet in separate stalls and were like playing gay footsie or something...
Previous court-rulings have set precedent that a "sting" is not entrapment.. Besides.. he DID plead guilty to the charge.
A sting might not be entrapment, but is the way the cops treated him entrapment? The cop clearly said that he "doesn't talk to the media", which implied that he wouldn't tell anyone about the ordeal if he just plead guilty. He also said that if he plead guilty and stopped "lying", that he could leave and basically nothing would happen. I don't know about you, but that is pretty misleading. I would consider that manipulating the senator, and entrapping him.
Uhhh.. that's exactly what the cop did. The story did not become public until a newspaper wrote a story about him pleading guilty to the charge - which is a matter of public record. His taped interview was released after this, as is required by law as it is also a matter of public record . IMHO, the police have done nothing wrong - if they had, that would be even a bigger story..
I had no idea that interviews were public. That's odd. Anyhow, the cop nevertheless pressured him into pleading guilty. I think it's still wrong. If the cop would have reminded the senator that the guilty charge would appear in the newspaper, I bet the plea would be completely different. He didn't really give the senator time to think. And made it seem like no one would hear about it if he did so. Sounds like he was gunning for his quota to me.
The whole idea of a sting is to bust people - no quota's necessary. but trust me, cops dont want to bust people that really arent guilty as it ends up making them look bad.. and, if you listened to that interview, it's plain as day that he's guilty. You are right about "if the cop had told him it would be in the newspaper" part - the cop had no idea that a newspaper would pick up on the story.. but, c'mon, the guy is a U.S. Senator - he lives in the public eye. if he spits on the sidewalk everybody's going to know about it.. I guess being smart is not a requirement for being a member of the Senate..
The guy is getting his just rewards. Soliciting sex in a public bathroom? Come on! This is a public figure. Go somewhere private. If you do not have enough common sense to figure that out, well you do not need to be a Senator. He is an embarrassment.
Then why would he resign? If you were accused of something like this and DID NOTHING WRONG, would you quit your job, end your career and walk away? Or would you fight it with every fiber in your body? Uh huh.. he's guilty as hell.. i still just dont see what all the FUSS is about though..