Why haven't criminal charges been brought against Mark Foley?

Question

And who should I write to/contact if I am concerned about this? Do I write my Congressman? Is that the best person to whom I should voice my discontent?

Answer 1

There is an "investigation" pending. If any laws were broken, then I am fairly sure charges will follow. But just emailing distastfull things isn't a crime. We do not know if he was harrasing the boy/s in question, or if the "lasivicous" talk was a two way street. I know some pretty disgusting guys who are also pretty young

Answer 2

Foley is still under investigation. Once all the evidence has been gathered, someone in the District Attorney's office has to decide whether they have enough evidence to charge him. Usually, the D.A. won't file charges unless he/she is very confident there is enough evidence for a conviction in court. However, since this is a high-profile case, there's a very good chance Foley will be charged if there's enough evidence for a Grand Jury, even if the D.A. thinks the evidence isn't strong enough for a conviction. If he doesn't get charged, that doesn't mean he didn't commit a crime -- it just means the D.A. feels there isn't enough evidence for the case to even make it past the Grand Jury. Knowing someone comitted a crime isn't good enough in the U.S. -- you have to be able to prove it.

Answer 3

Foley has not been charged because sending explicit (and stupid e-mails) to a minor is not illegal. The defense of "Damn, I sent it to the wrong address" is too viable for such activity to be rendered illegal. There is also some confusion as to what constitutes a minor. Charges could be brought through EEOC regulations concerning sexual harassment, but those are civil litigation issues not criminal.

Answer 4

It hasn't been determined yet if he commited a crime. Sending lewd e-mails to someone who reciprocated and was of the age of consent is not a crime. You can write your congressman if you want, but it will change nothing. If your Representative is Democrat they're already doing everything they can to make this the biggest scandal they can to win the election. A Republican Representative is already doing everything he can to gloss this over, but seem stern in order to win the election.

Answer 5

Because he may not have done anything illegal.

What are you going to charge him with? Sixteen is the age of consent in Washington, DC.

Not knowing what state the page was from (I'm not paying that much attention), it may be that sending and receiving sexually explicit IMs may not be illegal for a 16 year old there, either.

So can you be more specific about what "crime" you believe he committed?

Answer 6

It appears on the initial information from FBI investigators that there is no crime, but they are continuing to investigate to see if there is a crime in withholding material information in the case for nearly a year. Wonder which Dem is going to get busted for that one?

Answer 7

Because, up until this time, there isn't sufficient evidence to issue a Affidavit of Probably Cause to issue a warrant. If/when there is, then he will be. Thank the Demorats for pushing "gay" rights which allowed both Foley AND the page the opportunity to be all they can be.

Answer 8

Because they are investigating, which is usually what happens before they file charges agaisnt someone.

Then I think it goes before a grand Jury and the grand jury decides the indictment, then the plea, then the trial.

Answer 9

I think they are still investigating him aren't they? Once they get that all sorted out, they'll be able to determine if criminal charges are worthy.

Answer 10

they will be. Right now, the authorities (FBI) are trying to discover the extent of the crime. It just seems to get larger, and possibly include more and more people. So, either he is going to go home to FL and blow his brains out, or he's going to go to jail.