Sitting at the front counter of his neighborhood café, Jack Leif was drinking his morning coffee. The place has been popular for its fresh pastry, thus attracting visitors from surrounding communities too. As he put down his cup after a few sips, he sensed a tall and masculine gentleman was about to take seat next to him. Both extended their arms to introduce themselves and exchange pleasantries. Jack learned that the gentleman was none other than Mr. William Blake, the legendary top attorney of the nearby metropolis Atlanta. Born into a poor family from minority background, Mr. Blake motivated himself to get educated, eventually attending prestigious Harvard Law School. As a top government lawyer, he prosecuted several noteworthy criminals, both blue- and white- colored. As he won more sensational cases, his legend multiplied. But, Jack didn’t feel any sense of arrogance in Mr. Blake’s manners. He was there to try the famous pastry that he heard so much about, even in Atlanta.
That evening, returning from his regular job, Jack turned on his TV, set to an Atlanta station. Suddenly, there was a “Live Breaking News”. The reporter from the station, standing in front of the court house, was announcing that the local head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation had just charged Mr. Blake committing several felonies over past ten years. And the occurrence of these misdeeds only came to light recently after several local investigative agencies banded together after getting anonymous tips. Next day, not only the local press, but the national newspapers also picked up the story, due to Mr. Blake’s prominence and his stated desire to enter national politics. While his critics lambasted him, his defenders brought up the issue of race, as the reason for falsely charging him.
It took several months for the case to go in front of a judge, while Mr. Blake remained free on bail, always insisting on his innocence. For first two days, federal attorneys described in details how over past several years, Mr. Blake had accepted expensive gifts, paid vacations for his entire family as well as backdoor favors that allowed his daughters to go to expensive summer camps in Europe. In return, he didn’t pursue several cases, while bringing lesser charges in many cases. On third day, Mr. Blake took his stand in front of the judge. With the entire nation watching the proceedings in live telecast and his aged mother sitting on the front row with tears flowing down from her eyes, Mr. Blake took responsibility in taking part in every charge that was levied against him. The judge in the case decided to lock him up immediately, while taking time to decide what should be the extent of his punishment, given his stature and breaking of public trust so blatantly.
Mr. Jack Leif who was attending the proceedings for all three days, came out of the court, murmuring to himself “At what point of his life, did Mr. Blake’s moral compass brake down completely?
That evening, returning from his regular job, Jack turned on his TV, set to an Atlanta station. Suddenly, there was a “Live Breaking News”. The reporter from the station, standing in front of the court house, was announcing that the local head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation had just charged Mr. Blake committing several felonies over past ten years. And the occurrence of these misdeeds only came to light recently after several local investigative agencies banded together after getting anonymous tips. Next day, not only the local press, but the national newspapers also picked up the story, due to Mr. Blake’s prominence and his stated desire to enter national politics. While his critics lambasted him, his defenders brought up the issue of race, as the reason for falsely charging him.
It took several months for the case to go in front of a judge, while Mr. Blake remained free on bail, always insisting on his innocence. For first two days, federal attorneys described in details how over past several years, Mr. Blake had accepted expensive gifts, paid vacations for his entire family as well as backdoor favors that allowed his daughters to go to expensive summer camps in Europe. In return, he didn’t pursue several cases, while bringing lesser charges in many cases. On third day, Mr. Blake took his stand in front of the judge. With the entire nation watching the proceedings in live telecast and his aged mother sitting on the front row with tears flowing down from her eyes, Mr. Blake took responsibility in taking part in every charge that was levied against him. The judge in the case decided to lock him up immediately, while taking time to decide what should be the extent of his punishment, given his stature and breaking of public trust so blatantly.
Mr. Jack Leif who was attending the proceedings for all three days, came out of the court, murmuring to himself “At what point of his life, did Mr. Blake’s moral compass brake down completely?
