Bond v. Floyd

In 1980 and 1981 a series of trials, known as the ABSCAM trials, were heard in New York on the government sting operation that had resulted in the discovery of many highly placed corrupt political figures. Most notably brought under scrutiny were: U.S. Congressman Michael J. Myers; Mayor Angelo J. Errichetti of Camden, New Jersey; Louis C. Johanson, a Philadelphia councilman; Howard L. Criden, Johanson's former law partner; Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.; and attorney Alexander Feinberg, an associate of Williams. Other public officials were caught and either expelled from office or turned out by voters at the next election.

In the first ABSCAM trial Myers, Errichetti, Johanson, and Criden were all found guilty on 30 August 1980. Their attempts to have the convictions overturned were rejected by Judge George C. Pratt on 24 July 1981. In a 136-page decision, he said of the accused: "Their major defense has been that they were tricked into committing the crime on videotape. The government's need to unmask such conduct more than justifies the investigative techniques employed in these cases. Without question these convictions were reliable, and no constitutional right of any defendant has been infringed."

Williams and Feinberg were found guilty in a separate trial on 1 May 1981.