Rumpled Academic Update — possibly one of the last. “The plea deal: USF professor Al-Arian admits ties to terror group,” from the Orlando Sentinel, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
Details of Sami Al-Arian’s plea agreement emerged Monday after a federal judge unsealed documents related to hearings held last week out of public view.
In it, the fired University of South Florida professor admits being a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and helping others associated with the terrorist group — including his deported brother-in-law Mazen Al-Najjar — in immigration matters and lying to conceal their ties.
All the talking heads who have assured us all along that Al-Arian had nothing to do with Islamic Jihad should be issued sandwich boards reading “Al-Arian Admits to Being A Member of Palestinian Islamic Jihad” and made to wear them during their next five media appearances.
Al-Arian pleaded guilty to one count of “conspiracy to make or receive contributions of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dropped eight outstanding terrorism-related charges on which jurors deadlocked during a six-month trial.
Prosecutors also agreed to recommend that immigration officials “expedite” Al-Arian’s expulsion after his sentencing. His family has previously said their first stop may be Egypt before they try to begin anew in the Palestinian territories.
I’m sure his services will be in great demand there.