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It was Senator Orrin Hatch who lobbied to have Dallas Austin released. Had a US government official not become involved, I don't think Austin would have received any leniency. As unfair as it is, in the long run I think it will be beneficial for Dubai in that this minor defeat will reap long term benefits when it comes to US/Dubai relations.

It's totally disgraceful! SO you've got powerful friends and loadsa cash and get off - what a joke! Also guys note that the drunk Bulgarian who killed Ben by driving into the back of the car as he pushed it only got 4 months and had to pay the blood money!!!!!

FOUR MONTHS for killing a person!

Disgraceful!

Chocoholic wrote:It's totally disgraceful! SO you've got powerful friends and loadsa cash and get off - what a joke! Also guys note that the drunk Bulgarian who killed Ben by driving into the back of the car as he pushed it only got 4 months and had to pay the blood money!!!!!

FOUR MONTHS for killing a person!

Disgraceful!

blood money to who?...thought that concept worked only in neferious groups and all...

Bens family I guess, that's what insurance covers, if you kill someone then you have to pay the family blood money as compensation, doesn't exactly bring the person back though does it.

Chocoholic wrote:Bens family I guess, that's what insurance covers, if you kill someone then you have to pay the family blood money as compensation, doesn't exactly bring the person back though does it.

yes very sad indeed...nothing can compensate for a human being's life...

Yep, seems like the senator who helped DP World's port bid recently, got him off...


Senator helps free producer Dallas Austin from Dubai jail

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator's office confirmed Saturday.

In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin's attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin's behalf.

A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.

On Tuesday a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.

Beyond saying Hatch has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai," his office gave the Associated Press no specifics about Hatch's dealings with the Dubai government.

Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz. Hatch has written and recorded hundreds of religious and patriotic songs.

Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin's release, the New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.

Carr said it was former Hatch staffer Nancy Taylor who contacted the senator about Austin, the Times reported. Taylor, who worked for Hatch on health care issues until 1991, now works with Reeder at Greenberg & Traurig.

Austin's attorneys said they enlisted Hatch's help because he has influence with Dubai, the paper reported. Hatch this year supported the Dubai-based DP World in its bid to manage several American ports.

In his statement, Hatch said he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation."

He also said he was confident Austin "will learn from this experience."

jag wrote:Yep, seems like the senator who helped DP World's port bid recently, got him off...


Senator helps free producer Dallas Austin from Dubai jail

Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, a musician in his own right, helped secure the release of Atlanta R&B producer Dallas Austin from a Dubai jail after a drug conviction, the senator's office confirmed Saturday.

In a statement released through his staff, the conservative Republican said he was contacted by Austin's attorneys, then called the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates in Washington on Austin's behalf.

A Grammy winner who has produced hits for Madonna, Pink and TLC, Austin was arrested May 19 and convicted of drug possession for bringing 1.26 grams of cocaine into Dubai.

On Tuesday a court sentenced him to four years in jail and said Austin, 34, should be deported after serving the term. Hours later, Dubai ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum pardoned and released Austin.

Beyond saying Hatch has "good relations with the ambassador and other good people in Dubai," his office gave the Associated Press no specifics about Hatch's dealings with the Dubai government.

Hatch spokesman Peter Carr said he did not know whether the senator and Austin had ever met, but he confirmed that both employ Atlanta entertainment lawyer Joel A Katz. Hatch has written and recorded hundreds of religious and patriotic songs.

Katz and Washington attorney Joe Reeder traveled to Dubai to try to secure Austin's release, the New York Times reported in a story published Saturday. Musicians Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones also intervened as character references, the paper reported.

Carr said it was former Hatch staffer Nancy Taylor who contacted the senator about Austin, the Times reported. Taylor, who worked for Hatch on health care issues until 1991, now works with Reeder at Greenberg & Traurig.

Austin's attorneys said they enlisted Hatch's help because he has influence with Dubai, the paper reported. Hatch this year supported the Dubai-based DP World in its bid to manage several American ports.

In his statement, Hatch said he was "grateful to the leaders of Dubai for agreeing to provide a workable and compassionate solution for this situation."

He also said he was confident Austin "will learn from this experience."

Hail the great leader who can release thugs to please his freinds and marr the justice system ........ that's one of th ebad things of monarchy

I nearly fell over laughing though at the story that his Dubai ;awyers are now whining that he hasn't paid them to 'agreed' 1.6 million Dhs for defending him, no written contract and 'how much!' - losers serves them right!

Chocoholic wrote:I nearly fell over laughing though at the story that his Dubai ;awyers are now whining that he hasn't paid them to 'agreed' 1.6 million Dhs for defending him, no written contract and 'how much!' - losers serves them right!

Serves them right indeed Choc. Too funny!!

Typical example of money grabbers thinking that because the guy's a celebrity they can charge him whatever they like.

What about mere mortals? So if someone else gets into trouble and can't afford to pay so much they just go to prison.

The lawyers should be ashamed of themselves, also serves them right for getting a celeb off the hook when he should have gone to jail - the double standards are pathetic.