Tangent: Mr. Barrack Ordered NOT To Spend More Than $2 Million At One Dinner, Unless Pre-Trial And AUSAs Approve, In Advance: At Least ONE Felony Indictee's Life

Yes -- presumed innocent, until proven guilty (and all that rot). But in this case, the proof is pretty much... overwhelming, already.

I write though, more to remark that it is a rare day. . . indeed, when one sees a felony indicted accused be allowed to modify his bail conditions, such that he may spend up to $2 million in one sitting, in cash -- without anyone's approval, on anything he likes -- starting today. There is no limit on how much of his fortune he may liquidate, here.

Recalled that he posted $250 million in bond ($25 million bail money), and that too was eye-popping. This is proof that the wealthy see a different face of the criminal justice system, than the poor do. He's allowed to shuttle freely between NY, LA and Aspen -- without any serious prior approval. He's allowed to run a business, despite the fact that he will be unable to spend his wealth (reputed to be over $1 billion) in many life-times (doubly so, given that he is already 74 years of age). Of course, if he's found innocent of graft involving Trump influencing (secretly on behalf of the UAE monarchy / government), he should be allowed to continue his businesses. But I am not clear as to why this (in lieu of being in pre-trial lockup)... is equitable:

. . .As needed, with prior approval from Pretrial, the defendant shall be permitted to temporarily reside at a fixed location, to be approved by Pretrial Services, in the Central District of California for the purpose of visiting with his children [Ed. Note: his "children" are in their 30s] and attending meetings with his lawyers and otherwise preparing for trial in this matter.

As needed, with prior approval from Pretrial, the defendant shall be permitted to travel to New York and to temporarily reside at a fixed location, to be approved by Pretrial Services, for the purpose of attending meetings with his lawyers and otherwise preparing for trial in this matter, and to attend business meetings.

Defendant shall not engage in any domestic financial transactions in excess of $2 million (excepting normal and customary payment of attorneys’ fees, and including but not limited to any transactions involving publicly held securities of any description) without the prior written consent of the government.

For transactions between $1 million and $2 million, the defendant shall give notice of the transaction to the government within 48 hours, including information related to the transaction date, amount and recipient. . . .

In sum, just like the regular Southwest Airlines' denizens -- he is now "free, to move about the country." And spend $1 million on a party, without anyone in the AUSAs offices being able to ask. . . "Hey -- how will Uncle Sam get its fines and restitution?", assuming (of course!) he's found guilty.

Onward. . . that's a nutty state of affairs, sez me.

नमस्ते