WHAT HYPOCRITES? 9 Politicians Busted for Drugs (Even Staunch Drug War Supporters)
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has recently found himself struggling to shake off reports that he featured in a home video smoking from a crack pipe, but he’s far from alone. From the rural South to major US cities and beyond, countless lawmakers—even those who have happily backed draconian drug policies—have landed in legal and political trouble for drug-related reasons. Here are 10 varied and mostly recent examples.
1. Willie Gandara Jr., Texas County Commisioner - Just months after Gandara declared that drug legalization was bad for America, a possible ulterior motive emerged: profit. He was arrested in February 2012 on federal drug trafficking charges. DEA spokesman Diana Apodaca confirmed that the arrest was part of a multi-agency investigation involving the IRS and the FBI. Back in September 2011, Gandara had said he couldn’t possibly back former El Paso Rep. Beto O’Rourke in his congressional bid because O’Rourke had advocated legalizing marijuana to take money away from Mexican cartels. “Legalizing drugs is the coward practice of combating cartels,” said Gandara. “It is an insult to our men and women in law enforcement, and the laziest form of parenting our children and youth about the effects of drugs.” He was sentenced to six and a half years in prison in November 2012.
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