Why are the Feds Realy Prosecuting this Guy? - The Orange Mane

footstepsfrom#27 · 07-20-2007, 05:02 AM

I'm curious...can anyone on this board come up with a legitimate reason for the Feds to prosecute this guy? Or is this a what it appears to be...a case of some over zealous bureacrat with an axe to grind wanting to make a name for himself by going after a high profile rich guy? This dude's not even being charged with a crime in Russia but the Feds think they need to waste tax payers money with a federal grand jury investigation into something this trivial that occured on the other side of the world? For shooting a moose and a sheep? If it wasn't on Reuters I'd think this was a joke. I'm not even sure how a US federal court could even have jurisdiction here. What's realy going on?

http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...40092720070719

Texas billionaire questioned about Russian hunting

Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:28AM EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. federal grand jury is investigating an allegation that Texas energy billionaire Dan Duncan violated Russian hunting laws during a 2002 trip, a spokesman for Duncan's lawyer said on Thursday.

Duncan, 74, founder of Enterprise Products Partners, a big pipeline company, appeared before the panel on Wednesday to answer questions about a helicopter hunting trip he and others took with Russian guides five years ago.

Duncan said he shot and killed a moose and a sheep from the helicopter, a practice he did not know was illegal in Russia, Duncan told the Houston Chronicle. Neither animal is considered an endangered species.

No complaints or charges were filed in Russia, Duncan's lawyer, Rusty Hardin said. The guide is now a top official with a Russian hunting license agency, the lawyer said.

Hardin expressed astonishment at the investigation in Texas by a U.S. prosecutor involving an event in Russia. The applicable law could by a 107-year-old law intended to stop international trafficking in rare plants and animals, he said.

"What the hell is the U.S. interest in bringing felony charges here for hunting on Russian soil, where not one single person has complained?" Hardin told the Chronicle. "Is this really the best use of our prosecutorial resources?"

Duncan, who has an estimated net worth of $8.2 billion and is widely seen as the wealthiest man in Houston, told the Chronicle he assumed the hunt was legal because local guides usually know and obey locally applicable laws.

"We admitted from the word 'go' that I shot them from the helicopter," Duncan told the Chronicle, adding that in the 1990s he took a similar trip and shot an animal from a helicopter.

"The whole question is: 'Did I know it was illegal? I did not,'" Duncan said.

U.S. officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

broncocalijohn · 07-20-2007, 05:26 AM

Jonnie Sutton probably wants the case. Bush promised him another BS case to lie about.

Northman · 07-20-2007, 05:57 AM

Who knows. But maybe there is more to the story than whats being printed.

MOCRUSH · 07-20-2007, 07:28 AM

This is why you never piss off a US Attorney. Mr. Duncan probably did something in the course of becoming a billionaire that stepped on the toes of somebody with the ear of that US Attorney and the mircoscopes come out. With the investigative and legal resources available they will nail anybody for anything (or bankrupt you in the process with legal fees). Think of Mike Nifong with alot more brains and the FBI at his disposal.

maher_tyler · 07-20-2007, 10:51 AM

Wow..of all the bad people the could be putting behind bars, they go after this guy, Russia doesn't even give a rats ass about it!!

bronco militia · 07-20-2007, 10:58 AM

Duncan, who has an estimated net worth of $8.2 billion and is widely seen as the wealthiest man in Houston,

follow the money!

Spider · 07-20-2007, 11:08 AM

Kinda reminds me of the boarder patrol guys that went to jail for doing their job story ....... come to find out that was a bunch of **** ....... I suspect alot more to this story , then what you are being told ..........

Dukes · 07-20-2007, 11:11 AM

Seems like it's out of thier juresdiction

footstepsfrom#27 · 07-20-2007, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

Kinda reminds me of the boarder patrol guys that went to jail for doing their job story ....... come to find out that was a bunch of **** ....... I suspect alot more to this story , then what you are being told ..........

That may be true, but only two facts actually seem relevant here; 1) it happened in Russia, and 2) they don't even care.

Abuse of federal power is the only logical explanation. And since when do we get to prosecute crimes that happened in other countries? I know something about the law but this is a new one. Bronco Buff? Any ideas?

Garcia Bronco · 07-20-2007, 12:56 PM

Sounds like the DOJ needs to fire another AG

footstepsfrom#27 · 07-20-2007, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

Sounds like the DOJ needs to fire another AG

But aren't these AG's above politics? Seems I've heard this somewhere...

Spider · 07-20-2007, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

That may be true, but only two facts actually seem relevant here; 1) it happened in Russia, and 2) they don't even care.

Abuse of federal power is the only logical explanation. And since when do we get to prosecute crimes that happened in other countries? I know something about the law but this is a new one. Bronco Buff? Any ideas?

did he violate any international laws ?

footstepsfrom#27 · 07-20-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by §Pide®

did he violate any international laws ?

His attorney says the basis for the prosecution might be a 107 year old law designed to stop trafficing in rare plants and animals...but moose and sheep are not endangered. What possible international law could he be violating? And why do the feds give a crap about what happened in Russia 5 years ago?

He's worth $8 billion...if they'll go after him...what can they do to us?

Garcia Bronco · 07-20-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

But aren't these AG's above politics? Seems I've heard this somewhere...

I can't remember...it's around here...some...where.

07-20-2007, 05:02 AM	#1
footstepsfrom#27 helmet to helmet hitter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 16,117 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	Why are the Feds Realy Prosecuting this Guy? I'm curious...can anyone on this board come up with a legitimate reason for the Feds to prosecute this guy? Or is this a what it appears to be...a case of some over zealous bureacrat with an axe to grind wanting to make a name for himself by going after a high profile rich guy? This dude's not even being charged with a crime in Russia but the Feds think they need to waste tax payers money with a federal grand jury investigation into something this trivial that occured on the other side of the world? For shooting a moose and a sheep? If it wasn't on Reuters I'd think this was a joke. I'm not even sure how a US federal court could even have jurisdiction here. What's realy going on? http://www.reuters.com/article/domes...40092720070719 Texas billionaire questioned about Russian hunting Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:28AM EDT (Reuters) - A U.S. federal grand jury is investigating an allegation that Texas energy billionaire Dan Duncan violated Russian hunting laws during a 2002 trip, a spokesman for Duncan's lawyer said on Thursday. Duncan, 74, founder of Enterprise Products Partners, a big pipeline company, appeared before the panel on Wednesday to answer questions about a helicopter hunting trip he and others took with Russian guides five years ago. Duncan said he shot and killed a moose and a sheep from the helicopter, a practice he did not know was illegal in Russia, Duncan told the Houston Chronicle. Neither animal is considered an endangered species. No complaints or charges were filed in Russia, Duncan's lawyer, Rusty Hardin said. The guide is now a top official with a Russian hunting license agency, the lawyer said. Hardin expressed astonishment at the investigation in Texas by a U.S. prosecutor involving an event in Russia. The applicable law could by a 107-year-old law intended to stop international trafficking in rare plants and animals, he said. "What the hell is the U.S. interest in bringing felony charges here for hunting on Russian soil, where not one single person has complained?" Hardin told the Chronicle. "Is this really the best use of our prosecutorial resources?" Duncan, who has an estimated net worth of $8.2 billion and is widely seen as the wealthiest man in Houston, told the Chronicle he assumed the hunt was legal because local guides usually know and obey locally applicable laws. "We admitted from the word 'go' that I shot them from the helicopter," Duncan told the Chronicle, adding that in the 1990s he took a similar trip and shot an animal from a helicopter. "The whole question is: 'Did I know it was illegal? I did not,'" Duncan said. U.S. officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

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07-20-2007, 05:26 AM	#2
broncocalijohn Famer of Rings My Dog Richard Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lake Forest, Orange County, Calif. Posts: 18,475 Adopt-a-Bronco: Simon Fletcher	Jonnie Sutton probably wants the case. Bush promised him another BS case to lie about.

07-20-2007, 05:57 AM	#3
Northman The Enigma Prognosis Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,925 Adopt-a-Bronco: Bryci	Who knows. But maybe there is more to the story than whats being printed.

07-20-2007, 07:28 AM	#4
MOCRUSH Solid Starter It's all over fat man. Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 217 Adopt-a-Bronco: Steve Foley	This is why you never piss off a US Attorney. Mr. Duncan probably did something in the course of becoming a billionaire that stepped on the toes of somebody with the ear of that US Attorney and the mircoscopes come out. With the investigative and legal resources available they will nail anybody for anything (or bankrupt you in the process with legal fees). Think of Mike Nifong with alot more brains and the FBI at his disposal.

07-20-2007, 10:51 AM	#5
maher_tyler Ring of Famer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: AZ Posts: 5,679 Adopt-a-Bronco: Champ Bailey	Wow..of all the bad people the could be putting behind bars, they go after this guy, Russia doesn't even give a rats ass about it!!

07-20-2007, 10:58 AM	#6
bronco militia Ring of Famer THE GREATEST Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: colorado springs, co Posts: 22,591	*Duncan, who has an estimated net worth of $8.2 billion and is widely seen as the wealthiest man in Houston,* follow the money!

07-20-2007, 11:08 AM	#7
Spider Mr Diplomacy I survived Tebow Mania at the Mane Join Date: May 2001 Location: Elway was just an arm =MacGruder Posts: 84,438 Adopt-a-Bronco: Von Miller	Kinda reminds me of the boarder patrol guys that went to jail for doing their job story ....... come to find out that was a bunch of **** ....... I suspect alot more to this story , then what you are being told ..........

07-20-2007, 11:11 AM	#8
Dukes Ring of Famer Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 6,317	Seems like it's out of thier juresdiction

07-20-2007, 12:56 PM	#10
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 45,991 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	Sounds like the DOJ needs to fire another AG