Former U.S. Attorney Marcos Jimenez (and friend of the blog), whose priority while he was the U.S. Attorney was terrorism, is complaining about the terror watch list. Vanessa Blum has the story here:
As a former federal prosecutor with a top national security clearance, Marcos Jimenez would seem an unlikely terror suspect.Yet when he travels, the former U.S. attorney for South Florida endures delays, searches and other inconveniences, because someone with his name appears on the government watch list airlines use to identify possible terrorists.It happened most recently Thursday, as security personnel at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport pulled aside Jimenez, once the region's top federal law enforcement official, for an intrusive physical pat down."They put you off to the side like an animal in a little pen. They wand you. They grab you everywhere," Jimenez said. "To go through this hassle and inconvenience every time you get on a plane is just extremely frustrating."
An animal in a little pen..... Nice imagery. So what does our former U.S. Attorney do to get around this:
Even more absurd, Jimenez says, he can avoid the hassle simply by traveling under his middle name."If I use Marcos Jimenez, I get just short of strip-searched. If I go as Daniel Jimenez, I go right through," he said. "If this is really, truly an important terrorist prevention technique, it's not working because I can avoid it extremely well."
He makes a good point. But I just wonder what would have happened if some newbie major crimes prosecutor got a call from TSA about someone going thr0ugh security with his middle name. They would call it attempted boarding of an airplane with an alias or some such nonsense and chalk up the case as a terrorism stat...
In other news, congrats to my office-mate Marc Seitles (and the co-defendants' lawyers Ken Swartz, Steve Amster, and Lisa Colon) on his not guilty before Judge Altonaga in the last trial in the Tower Building. Judge Altonaga and Judge Cooke are moving to the new building this week, the last judges to do so.
As long as we are on my office-mates, Bill Barzee (and Joel Denaro) start trial Monday morning in front of Judge Jordan defending Hernan Prada, who the government says was one of the kingpins in Medellin who took over for Pablo Escobar. The case is being prosecuted by Frank Tamen.
The SDFLA Blog is dedicated to providing news and notes regarding federal practice in the Southern District of Florida. The New Times calls the blog "the definitive source on South Florida's federal court system." All tips on court happenings are welcome and will remain anonymous. Please email David Markus at dmarkus@markuslaw.com
I wonder how many of the defendants Mr. Jimenez terrorized during his reign as US Atty feel sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteSeems like Mr. Jimenez wishes he were above the law. Hey, Mr. Jimenez...when you were US Atty, what steps did you take to refine the terror lists -- if you did nothing, was your name on the list back then? Or, did you simply badge your way through?
Barzee will kick his ass. (pun intended)
ReplyDeletePrada makes the best shoes
ReplyDeleteWhat a cry baby. There is a not too difficult process to rectify the problem the former USAtty is experiencing. One wonders why he is not familiar with it. Possibly one of those BIG FIRM lawyers or former USAttys now out in private practice charging $600 or more per hour could help Mr. Jimenez, whose name is the same as two deported, local felon aliens, not terrorists.
ReplyDeleteWHOOOOOOO IS Ed Williams???
ReplyDeleteAnd, now that he is attacking Jimenez, is he still worthy of being called an ass hole?
That was quite enlightening or maybe not. On a serious note, someone should look into adding Daniel Jimenez to the government watch list – just in case there's some guy out there with the same/similar name looking to cause some serious damage ... Better safe then sorry!
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, he shouldn't be whining about being proberly searched, irrespective of how irritating it is. Instead, he should be setting an example for the rest of us.
*than sorry
ReplyDeleteSet an example? Look at the depths that office has sunk
ReplyDeleteRe: Ed William's (who ever he is) comment about MDJ ... TASTELESS! At least, MDJ is actually worth $600 an hour.
ReplyDeleteI was not referring to MDJ as the $600 per hour but worth less former USAtty. There are several around, but I have no information concerning his rate or worth. And, I do not even know if he charges for the time he is held up by ICE at the airport.
ReplyDeleteI just spoke with my wife. She says I am indeed and remain an a**hole, but she agrees I am worth $850 per hour. Of course, in between sucking up to agents, judges, and prosecutors, chasing younger women, sending in silly comments to this blog, and drinking to excess, I only have 10 chargeable hours per week. Or 10 per day when in trial. Not bad for a retiree.
ReplyDeleteYour imaginary wife lied to you.
ReplyDeleteYour imaginary wife lied to you.
ReplyDeleteQuestion:
ReplyDeleteWould Marcos feel the same way about the absurdity of the list if he were not it?
That is exactly what Anonymous asked. Apparently Mr. Jimenez was not so quick to respond to that question.
ReplyDeleteAt what point do you think MDJ finally says to himself - 'maybe I should lay low and not expose myself publicly anymore...gee, Sonnet doesn't get trashed when he appears in the news...'?
16 and going STRONG!
ReplyDeleteMDJ's comments are completely in keeping with the intellectual acumen he demonstrated as U.S. Attorney. None.
ReplyDeleteWhy ya'll hating on MDJ? Bigots.
ReplyDelete"If this is really, truly an important terrorist prevention technique, it's not working because I can avoid it extremely well
ReplyDeleteNo one is hating on MDJ, if anything, he shouldn't be bitching about being thoroughly searched at the airport. There are many people who may find themselves in the same predicament as MDJ, and it probably sucks ass, but they deal with it as best they can.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else think Anonymous(2:00 PM) is MDJ?
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIn response to South Florida Lawyers, the answer is yes, if my name was not on the list, I would feel the same way. So does TSA, which agreed with my comments in the article. They just can't seem to do anything about the problems. The rest of the comments are posted by anonymous or unidentiable people whose failure to use their real names speaks volumes, so as usual their comments do not merit a response.
ReplyDeleteMDJ said:
ReplyDelete"The rest of the comments are posted by anonymous or unidentiable people whose failure to use their real names speaks volumes, so as usual their comments do not merit a response."
Say What?
I give you free insight how to get your name out of the jackpot for TSA suspect screening (I normally charge $2,500 and up), and also confess not attacking you personally, knowing your billing rate, or if you are worth whatever you do charge. (Hell, I do not even know what you did/do or what kind of law you practice. And, as US Attorney you did not even have a sense of history to bite a stripper). You then insult me because you think I am one of the "unidentiable" (WTH word is that) and not deserving of a response.
Truth is that anonymous writers on blogs speak the best and most honets. Remember what Justice Potter Stewart said - "I know it when I see it." I do, do you.
Don't worry, tomorrow I call DHS/TSA and get your back your good name.