Target Letters and a Grand Jury

GA was chatting about the FBI investigation with  Not-Stempler today, and he said offhandedly, "Target letters should be going out soon".

Now a piece on MSV that Da Horsey's heard the same from 2 separate sources.

On top of a series of fascinating posts there by Reasoner , who hints that a new federal grand jury convenes next Monday, June 20th.

Who is this Reasoner?  

No one knows but his posts have the ring of authenticity; the kind of knowledge one gets from proximity to federal investigators and the players in Hudson County politics.

And the real 'reason' behind the surge to clean up Hoboken: the Big Man in Trenton.

Now, GA's been saying this for a LONG time: that Christie would come, that he wanted nothing more than to have Hudson County Democratic scalps dangling from his belt on the 2012 Republican Convention stage.

I know, I'm a girl.  You were waiting for one of the boy-bloggers to say it.  Then it counts.

Well, Reasoner threw it down right there.  Governor Christie is coming in to blow up the joint.  Thank G-d.

And did you catch the part where he said "the Feds have been documenting voter payoffs in the 4th ward.  Film and video."  If true-  holy sh*t.

So, what exactly are 'target letters'? Why and when would a target receive one?  Does it mean the recipient is likely to get indicted?

The answers are here in this terrific piece Not-Stempler sent me.

An excerpt:

Federal grand juries conduct investigations into possible violations of federal criminal law. They have the power to subpoena witnesses to appear before them to testify and produce information.

The Department of Justice has special policies when the subpoenaed person is either a “target” or a “subject” of the grand jury investigation. A “target” is someone the prosecutor or grand jury has substantial evidence to link to a crime, and who, in the judgment of the prosecutor, is likely to be indicted. A “subject” of a grand jury investigation is someone whose conduct is within the scope of the grand jury’s investigation.

Due to the potential for unfairness and misunderstanding in making a person who is likely to be indicted testify or produce documents before a grand jury, prosecutors must first attempt to get the target to voluntarily appear. If that doesn’t work, the prosecutor must get the approval of the grand jury and the United States Attorney or the responsible Assistant Attorney General in order to issue a subpoena.

Got that?

The recipient of a target letter is likely to be indicted. If they don't appear voluntarily, they should expect to be subpoenaed.

Further, it appears that if you are indicted by a grand jury, they are not required to tell you so at the hearing.

There isn’t a requirement that you be advised ahead of time that an indictment is going to be returned against you. Grand jury proceedings are considered secret. In general terms, this means that the authorities aren’t allowed to reveal what happens before a grand jury.

Jeez, that's  frightening.  No wonder everyone's been laying so low.  I'll bet they've been meeting with lawyers.

Speaking of which, for anyone expecting to get one of these target letters, I have an excellent local attorney to recommend.



And to soothe your frayed nerves, oh Targeted Ones, GA dedicates this song to you:

(Please, Mister Postman, look and see)
Woah, yeah  
(Is there’s a target letter in your bag for me)  
Please, please Mister Postman 
(Cause it’s been a mighty long time)  
Woah, yeah  
(Since I`ve been indicted for a crime)

There must be some word today  
From the U.S. Attorney so far away  
Please Mister Postman, look and see  
Is there a letter, a target letter for me
 
I’ve been standing here  
Waiting, Mister Postman  
So, oh, so patiently  
For my target letter saying  
The grand jury's after me

Please, Mister Postman  
(Please, Mister Postman, look and see)  
Woah, yeah  
(Is there's a target letter in your bag for me)  
Please, please Mister Postman  
(Cause it's been a mighty long time)  
Woah, yeah  
(Since I've been indicted for a crime)

So many days, you passed me by  
You saw the tear standing in my eyes  
You wouldn't stop to make me feel better  
By leaving me a target letter

Please, Mister Postman, look and see  
Is there a target letter, oh, yeah  
In your bag for me You know it's been so long 
Yes, I've been indicted  
For a federal crime
 
Deliver the target letter  
The sooner the better  
Wait a minute, wait a minute  
(Wait, wait a minute, Mister Postman)  
Wait a minute, please Mister Postman...