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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 2, 1984)
Monday, April 2, 1984 Pago C Daily Ncbraskan Impeachment... Continued from Pte 1 he was first made aware of such activ ity in March 1G33. Barry Lake, former assistant direc tor and counsel to the Nebraska De partment of Banking and Finance, tes tified Monday about the contents of a letter he received from the FBI March 14, 1983, concerning possible criminal activity at Commonwealth. . When asked if he requested the at torney general's office to investigate the matter, Lake responded, "Our dis cussion centered on the element of t prosecution, not investigation" Lake testified that he met with Dou glas again in May "to relate to him that I was aware of other potential criminal conduct (by Copple) not mentioned by the FBI." Douglas did not tell Lake of his three real estate transactions with Copple, but told him that his business relation ship with Copple would make no dif ference if criminal prosecution became necessary. 7 v K ' : L:L T UNIVERSITY THEATRE presents BEYOND THERAPY Christopher Durang's answer to life and love in these crazy eighties! adult entertainment April 5, 6, 7 & 9 thru 14 at 8 pm Studio Theatre Tickets $4 Students & Sr. Citz. $5 AH Others On Sale Now first floor Temple Bdg. IZh&RSts. Phone 472-2073 Hours" ' - Noon -5, M F rQ University ol raskaHJncoln "I did not inquire further of his busi ness or personal relationship with Cop ple when he said he'd still prosecute," Lake said. Amen testified Tuesday that he did not ask Douglas to investigate or prose cute the Commonwealth case, either, but felt that the matter was left up to the attorney general's office to act on its own. Also present at the original meeting between Lake, Amen and Douglas was Deputy Attorney General Patrick O'Brien, who testified as a defense wit ness Wednesday. The Commonwealth matter was brought up "almost as an aside" at that meeting, O'Brien said. O'Brien, retired Deputy Attorney Gen eral Gerald Vitamvas and two other assistant attorneys general, Ralph Gil Ian and Melvin Kammerlohr, all testi fied Wednesday that they knew of no request from the banking department to investigate or prosecute the Com monwealth matter. Asked about Douglas' integrity, O'Brien replied, "He's one of the most honest men I've met in my life. I don't believe Mr. Douglas would tell a lie on any matter of importance...or, indeed, on any matter at all." Other character witnesses called Thursday included Douglas County At torney Donald Knowles, former Deuel County Attorney Robert Richards and Theodore Kessner, former president of the Nebraska State Bar Association, all of whom reiterated O'Brien's senti ments. After a third unsuccesful attempt by Morrow to dismiss the articles of im peachment, prosecuting attorney Kopf reviewed those articles in his closing arguments. he state has established violations of both statutes and the duties of the attorney general, with the inference of corruption," he said. "It's not Paul Douglas we're talking about. It's the office of attorney general and whether a duty has been breached. WTe have, established that it has." Kopf said Amen and Lake had both come to Douglas with questions about criminal activity at Commonwealth. "Now at the time, Mr. Douglas was sitting as the chief law enforcement officer of the state," Kopf said. "Mr. Douglas never disclosed to anyone the intensity, the complexity or the depth of his involvement with Common wealth." Kopf said Douglas was asking the court to believe the "least plausible explanation" of his transactions with the insolvent company. "As I understand the criminal stand ard of 'beyond a reasonable doubt' to ' be a moral certainty, I believe that if you look at the evidence, you will be convinced to a moral certainty that he committed an impeachable offense," Kopf concluded. Morrow countered the state's claims in his closing arguments, saying there is little substantial evidence to prove any of the six articles. "This trial has become a political matter based on inference, innuendo and insinuation, and the argument posed by the state is similarly based on inference, innuendo and insinuation," Morrow said. "The charges are so lack ing in substance and are so indefinite that it's difficult to determine just what he's supposed to have done wrong." Concerning Douglas' disclosure of his business dealings, Morrow said, "The evidence shows that Mr. Domina didn't ask for specifics. If he wanted to know, he should've asked." As for Douglas' failure to investigate the Commonwealth matter, Morrow said he was never asked to do so. "The Department of Banking and Finance had decided they weren't go ing to investigate, saying Well let the attorney general's office do it.' No one in the attorney general's office under stood that," Morrow said. "To say that Paul Douglas should've forseen in March the Commonwealth collapse in November and investigated is sheer nonsense." Morrow said the state seemed to have forgotten the principle of assumpt ion of innocence in their arguments. "I thank God that we're in court now, where the state has to prove their charge and if they can't, dismiss it. I submit that they haven't " he concluded. TTV10 'fw d D I) - American Express would like to leave you in the dark about something that's coming to your campus. It's the American Express Film Festival. And it can be a very illuminating experience. Because when the lights go down, some great things will be coming up. Like some all-time classics. As well as some current favorites. - It will be a chance to grab a couple of friends, bring a couple of bags of popcorn, and get a couple of hours off from hitting the books. Of course, there is also something that American Express wquld like to bring to light. How to get the American Express Card. If you are a Graduating Senior with the promise of a $10,000 job", you may qualify. Because American Express not only believes in your future, but we also believe in you now. So look for a Special Student Appli cation at vour college bookstore or on your campus bulletin boards, " '1v or call 800-528-8000. ? i 1 he American express Uard. Uon t leave school without it." j Look for an application on campus. Look for movie location and times on posters or in campus newspapers. Amcman Express Travel RcUtvd Service Qwnpan. In . 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