[Vision2020] Craig loses appeal

[Kenneth Marcy]

Sen. Craig loses appeal in airport sex sting case

By Steve Karnowski

Associated Press Writer
Updated: 12/09/2008 10:48:14 AM MST

MINNEAPOLIS -- Idaho Sen. Larry Craig has lost his latest attempt to withdraw 
his guilty plea in the Minneapolis airport men's room sex sting that 
effectively ended his Senate career.

A three-judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected the 
Republican's bid to toss out his disorderly conduct conviction.

Craig still has the option of appealing to the Minnesota Supreme Court, and he 
said Tuesday he was considering future options.

Craig was arrested June 11, 2007, by an undercover police officer who was 
conducting a sting operation against men cruising for gay sex at the 
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

He quietly pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor and paid a fine, but changed his 
mind after word of his arrest became public that August. Craig insisted he 
was innocent and said he was not gay. His attorney argued that the police 
officer misconstrued Craig's foot-tapping, hand movements and other conduct.

But the case brought widespread ridicule and effectively ended his political 
career.

Craig lost several GOP leadership positions in the wake of the scandal, and 
the Senate Ethics Committee said in February that Craig had brought discredit 
on the Senate. The committee members said they believed he was guilty, and 
that his attempt to withdraw his plea was just an effort to evade the legal 
consequences of his own actions.

More of this story at:
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_11176601 


Ken