The Update Desk: Chris Collins, Again, Darn It

I was sure, the last time I wrote about convicted securities fraud conspirer Chris Collins, the former Congressman from Western New York, that I was writing about him for the last time.  I really should have known better.  You can read his sad story here, in my last update. 

I had been ignoring the delays in getting his just over two-year prison term started - concerns about the coronavirus and all - and I even ignored it when he finally did report for duty at the Pensacola Federal Prison Camp back in October. 

Tonight, the impeached, lame duck president issued 20 pardons and commutations, with Collins being among the lucky. 

That the former congressman was the first one to support the president probably was very meaningful to Trump - and I can only imagine that, had he still been in office, Collins would have happily added his name to the list of 126 House Republicans supporting the 'Texas+' lawsuit (sorry, tired of listing the other states that joined that ridiculous case). 

He probably would have been appearing at rallies for the president, or maybe trying to overturn New York's election or something equally silly. At least we didn't have to see that, with him in prison down in Florida. 

I'll leave you with a comment from Geoffrey Berman, the prosecuting US Attorney in the Collins case. (You may remember that Berman was fired by Trump after some questionable personnel decisions by AG Snitty Snitty Bill Barr backfired.)

Anyway, here's what Berman said.

Lawmakers bear the profound privilege and responsibility of writing and passing laws, but equally as important the absolute obligation of following them. Collins' hubris is a stark reminder that the people of New York can and should demand more from their elected officials, and that no matter how powerful, no lawmaker is above the law.

Yes, they do. And no, they aren't. No matter what the pardon memo says - or doesn't.