This is not your ordinary corruption bust. California State Senator Leland Yee (D-SF), who advocates anti-gun legislation, has been arrested for arranging automatic weapons sales from a Muslim separatist group in the Philippines in exchange for campaign contributions. He is also accused of accepting campaign contributions and bribes to influence legislation, money laundering, transporting stolen property, and has links to a Chinese “ex-gangster” who was also arrested.
One photo showed an IRS agent in a bullet-proof vest carrying documents out of a raided home. This highlights the seriousness of the multiple federal charges against Yee. Not only is FBI involved, there is a serious IRS criminal investigation. (Most of us, I’m guessing, if arresting people suspected of gun running, would be wearing bullet-proof vests too.)
Even Democratic leaders of the State Senate can’t stand the stench from Yee and have called for him to resign. However, they recently allowed indicted Sate Senators Rod Wright and Ron Calderon, both Democrats, to remain on paid leave of absence and may well do the same with Yee. However, allegations of gunrunning from Muslim separatists is probably too stinky even for the cesspool that is Sacramento.