Doug Williams Polygraph Trial Discussion Thread

[Wandersmann]

You don't like it?  Leave.  Move to North Korea or Iran.  Maybe you'll like it there better.

Why ?  Thanks to guys like you America is turning into North Korea and Iran.  Also, even the North Koreans and Iranians haven't stooped so low as to ruin innocent people's lives with the polygraph. 

[Ex Member]

Someguy,
Throwing in the towel is not very patriotic. If you are firm in your beliefs then join with others and effectuate change. Religion is kind of a sensitive issue which I would save for forums with ears more inclined to such topics.

[Doug Williams]

Someguy,
Throwing in the towel is not very patriotic. If you are firm in your beliefs then join with others and effectuate change.

Trying to effectuate change is a very dangerous endeavor.

[quickfix]

Also, even the North Koreans and Iranians haven't stooped so low as to ruin innocent people's lives with the polygraph.

You're absolutely right.  They don't.  They just execute you instead.

[Ex Member]

Trying to effectuate change is a very dangerous endeavor.
                   

Ha! You got me on that one Doug. I think George probably doesn't get many Christmas cards from the anti-change camp either!

[Wandersmann]

You're absolutely right.  They don't.  They just execute you instead.

Thanks for pointing out that getting executed is worse than failing a polygraph.  I guess that justifies ruining innocent and patriotic people's lives to scam a living.  It's a lot easier than having to mess with that silly system called "due process".

[George W. Maschke]

Two more filings in U.S. v. Doug Williams are now available for download:

Sentencing Minute Sheet dated 22 September 2015

Judgment dated 22 September 2015

In addition to being sentenced to two years in prison, Doug Williams has also been sentenced to three years of "supervised release," during which time he "shall not participate in any form of polygraph-related activity." In addition:

The defendant must submit to a search of his person, property, electronic devices or any automobile under his control to be conducted in a reasonable manner and at a reasonable time, for the purpose of detecting any evidence of polygraph activity at the direction of the probation officer upon reasonable suspicion. Further, the defendant must inform any residents that the premises may be subject to a search.

The prohibition against "polygraph-related activity" provides further confirmation that this was a political prosecution aimed at silencing Williams.

[Ex Member]

The prohibition against "polygraph-related activity" provides further confirmation that this was a political prosecution aimed at silencing Williams.
                   

I agree George, it's a very sophomoric stipulation, as if it's going to really make a difference. I think the CBP really snowed the Justice Dept on this. What exactly is "polygraph activity?" I wonder if they will give Doug polygraph exams to gauge compliance?

[Dan Mangan]

Nature abhors a vacuum.

[Drew Richardson]

After completing his sentence, if Doug simply wants to demonstrate or explain how to manipulate a polygraph channel tracing (i.e., simply restating publicly available non-classified information), I will gladly assist him and then the government can explain how my expression of protected free speech is his lack of compliance...

[Wandersmann]

The prohibition against "polygraph-related activity" provides further confirmation that this was a political prosecution aimed at silencing Williams.

I have never understood how the government was able to seize all of Doug's business records, specifically client info.  The only probable cause for the alleged "crime" committed involved the undercover agents and information pertaining to their relationship with Doug.  I would have thought that such records were the only records that could have been seized.  Absent other specific information regarding Doug's clients being involved in criminal activity, client records should have been First and Fourth Amendment protected.  What am I missing ?  It seems to me a blatantly illegal and unconstitutional action conducted by the DHS. 

[quickfix]

What am I missing ?

A law degree!

[Aunty Agony]

I have never understood how the government was able to seize all of Doug's business records, specifically client info.  The only probable cause for the alleged "crime" committed involved the undercover agents and information pertaining to their relationship with Doug.  I would have thought that such records were the only records that could have been seized.  Absent other specific information regarding Doug's clients being involved in criminal activity, client records should have been First and Fourth Amendment protected.  What am I missing ?

I think the theory is that if Doug was entrapped into criminal conspiracy with known agents, he may have committed similar conspiracies with some of his other clients.  Just exactly how Doug's business records would help uncover such conspiracies need not be explained, if the judge is friendly enough.

It seems to me a blatantly illegal and unconstitutional action conducted by the DHS.

The DHS OWNS blatantly illegal and unconstitutional action.

[Aunty Agony]

What am I missing?

A law degree!

We can't all be experienced practicing lawyers like you.

[Wandersmann]

I think the theory is that if Doug was entrapped into criminal conspiracy with known agents, he may have committed similar conspiracies with some of his other clients.

I understand the warped logic and agree that is probably how they justified it.  That PC would never work in a real criminal search warrant.