The Smitherman Shuffle

As we pointed out in different posts starting in December, Judge Carole Smitherman’s husband Alabama State Senator Rodger Smitherman received first-time contributions and other political cash tied to Balch & Bingham or the co-conspirators of the Newsome Conspiracy case, a case that Judge Smitherman is presiding over.

Influence peddling? Corruption? Or just coincidence?

Now comes Judge Carole Smitherman’s first campaign disclosure report of the election season, and guess who has donated to her heavily?

Attorneys and law firms. No surprise.

But what will surely raise eyebrows is the $500 contribution from Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton.

As we wrote on December 15th:

In mid-August, Sharyn Lawson, the wife of the gentleman who had pulled a gun on Burt Newsome, was deposed. She is the sister-in-law of one of the alleged co-conspirators.  Her son was also deposed.

Both of them were represented by the esteemed  managing partner at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, D. Leon Ashford.

On or about August 31, 2017,  the sealing of the entire Newsome Case since its inception and the creation of a Star Chamber where court proceedings are done with no public access or information available were put into effect.

On that very same day,  Senator Smitherman listed receiving a donation from Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton for $2,500, according to campaign disclosure reports. (See actual documentation here.)

Just a coincidence?

Sharyn Lawson, a highly respected former paralegal at Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, worked for the law firm for decades.  No wonder she and her son were represented by the managing partner.

This morning. a review of 142 contributions made by Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton since 2013 shows this is the first-ever contribution they made to Judge Carole Smitherman, according to the state’s digital records. This coincides with the first- ever contribution they made to State Senator Rodger Smitherman, according to the state’s digital records.

Why now? Why the Smithermans? What were they trying to influence with $3,000?

The unconstitutional and criminal Star Chamber Smitherman created is a disgrace to the legal institutions of the State of Alabama. And accepting campaign cash from anyone associated with the Star Chamber case is beyond unethical.

Both Smithermans must refund those questionable checks or face the consequences.