Child Support Enforcement Agencies across the nation certainly are not known for their accountability and now we are faced with a Virginia Assistant Attorney General that was carrying around a concealed weapon and a bag full of marijuana "wrapped as a Christmas Present." The type of access that these agencies have over private citizens is suspect with every new report associated with their lack of accountability.
According to an article released by the Associated Press through DailyPress.Com today Steven F. Lederman was arrested on Thursday for possession with intent to distribute marijuana, a felony, and carrying a concealed weapon, a misdemeanor. We will be seeing what type of special treatment this government employee receives in the near future.
Lederman, 46, has been with the agency since 1997 and works in the Division of Child Support Enforcement. He has been suspending pending further investigation, said David Clementon, a spokesman for the Attorney General's Office. (Source: DailyPress.Com; February 20, 2009; Orig.)
With the far reaching and intrusive data sources that exist within the various Child Support Enforcement Agencies and their widespread lack of accountability associated with these information systems, the nation's taxpayers should be suspect of what goes on behind the bullet-proof glass and sealed doors. It is important to note that the program funds for these offices are derived from federal sources, known as Title IV-D of the Social Security Act.
Additional Information About Title IV-D Can Be Found:
- Nationwide Child Support Enforcement Fails Needy Families
- Mounting Accountability Problems With Child Support Programs: Data Stolen
- Child Support Clerk Charged With Embezzlement: program needs oversight
- Lary Holland Explains How Federal Grants Obstruct Equal Parenting
- Nationwide Blueprint for Title IV-D Reform
- Title IV-D Overview - Original
Interesting update reported from another source pertaining to the main story. This information was discovered under the Blue Commonwealth website subtitled as "Virginina's Enduring Voice of Progress."
Lederman's father, Ira, made contributions of $5,500 to Senator Rerras and other Republicans leading up to the time when Steven was a candidate for Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. In 2007, this drew attention to the fact that members of the legislature have an opportunity for patronage from their influence in appointing judges in Virginia. Reeves Mahoney, the husband of circuit judge candidate Joan E. Mahoney, had given $500 to Rerras and a total of $10,800 to Republicans in the same time period.
According to the report in the Virginian-Pilot, Reeves Mahoney's biggest donations went to Bob McDonnell, his former law partner and the state's attorney general. Mahoney's college friend, Republican Randy Forbes, a former state legislator and now a U.S. congressman representing the 4th District received the next biggest amount.
Reportedly, the affidavit indicates police also found a mirror with suspected cocaine residue during the search. Investigators were acting on a tip when they arrested Lederman.
As more information becomes available on this story, we will drop it in here. If you have additional information that you run across locally, you can email it to me at laryholland@sbcglobal.net.
