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Anti Video Game Violence Crusader Arrested On Corruption Charges
California state senator Leland Yee loved to publicly denounce violent video games like Grand Theft Auto. It turns out he may have more in common with those gritty Rockstar anti-heroes he targeted than he was letting on.
NBC Bay Area reported earlier today that Yee, a Democratic candidate for secretary of state, was detained by federal agents for charges including public corruption. FBI agents raided both his Sacramento and San Francisco offices. The sweep also resulted in the arrest of another man, Raymond Chow, who had previously served time for gun charges and is said to have gang ties.
Yee started his campaign against video games back in 2005, when the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas "Hot Coffee" scandal broke. He later authored a bill that prevented the sale or rental of violent games to minors. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the bill into law, which was challenged by the ESA and eventually made its way to the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices ruled against the law with a 7-2 vote, citing first amendment protections.
Our Take
Regardless of his reactionary stance on video games, it's always disappointing when people in positions of influence abuse that power for their own nefarious ends. Obviously he is innocent until proven guilty, but Yee is the third Democrat to face these types of charges in California this year. Here's to hoping the purge of corruption continues.
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