Fascinating choice of words from reporter Dan Kane in today’s Raleigh News & Observer story about former U.S. Rep. Frank Ballance being sentenced to four years in the slammer for diverting about $100,000 from the nonprofit he founded, to his family, etc. Here’s the 2nd paragraph. I’ve added the emphasis.
His sentencing wasn’t the end of his suffering Wednesday. Ballance had a front-row seat as U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle ordered his son, Garey, a Warren County state District Court judge, to spend nine months in prison for failing to report to the IRS $20,000 he got from his father’s foundation.
Kane is a very good reporter but I disagree with the word “suffering.” It should be used to describe the victim of the crime — in this case, North Carolina taxpayers –not the perpetrator. Yes, an argument can be made that the day was tough for Ballance as he watched his son also be sentenced to prison, but Ballance brought this on himself. If you’re wondering what led up to it all, read the Carolina Journal Exclusive series here.
