Arkansas Blog

If that was you or me - we'd be in prison. Yet again, a different set of standards for the mighty and rich.

He stole 500K and gets to sit home for 2 years. What's that? 250K a year for sitting around the house - can I have some of that punishment?

Another great example of the inequity of our justice system right here. Coughlin steals $500,000 and gets a few months of home detention wheras I could steal $500 and get a few years down in Cummins or Tucker. I say hang him.

Home detention for a multimllionaire?

That's like Canseco's home detention. It's not really punishment at all.

Why do people like this walk free when a guy selling marijuana gets 10 years in the pen?

These rich, tax-evading, pension stealing bastards get off scott free while poor, drug-addicted inmates sit in prison without rehabilitation.

That's our "justice" system.

I agree...this is yet another example of our dual justice system: One for regular folk, another for so-called white-collar folk.

It's not that I have a problem with our justice system having empathy for the individual...it's that 'empathy' seems to be reserved for those with money/connections.

'Fragile," the judge calls him.

Fat thug's only fragility lies in the fact he might choke on a $200 porterhouse bought with the proceeds of his freakin' $500,000 robbery!

Until recently, Wal-Mart security giards would kill you with a choke-hold in the parking lot for walking out with a pack of hot Milk Duds.

Oh boo freaking hoo. If you want to laugh drive by his rural Centerton estate sometime. There's a $20,000 gate and a $.20 sign that says "NO TRESPASSING"...wonder if he stole that too.

Times are hard for the Coughlins though. They're having to turn part of their land into a rock quarry.

Lock his ass up. Period!!!!!!!!

Times aren't that tough - having dropped six figures to Ronnie Flyod's 40 miillon dollar orfice to his ego.

This is just flat out wrong. His health is fragile because he's eaten himself into a fat tub with the mega-millions he's made at Wal-Mart. The $500 grand was a pittance to him. He can revel in his luxurious home with the finest of anything delivered to his door. Hell, he can probably pay folks to come set up his own hunting club where he wouldn't need to leave the back porch. Hide some of those tame doves Cheney likes to walk up to and shoot (when not shooting his hunting pals in the face) out in the back yard and blast away. What he's not supposed to have any guns if he's a felon? That wouldn't stop a man of this ilk.
Can't this sentence be appealed like our local Game and Fish perpetrator's?

They have hospitals in prision, he could go to one of those. If I steal anything over $25 from Wally World, I'd find myself in the slammer. What a load of crap. This judge sounds pretty soft on crime. Is he a Republican appointee perhaps?

My God!! $500,000 and he gets a couple of years of house arrest??? Please tell me there is more to it than that!
He probably has hypertension from all the scheming and plotting he did to steal money from the company. Put him away and let him have the same prison medical care as the less affluent inmates!!!

Ever think that the reason he got off so easily is because the charges where trumped up by the real power here - Wal-Mart executives and lawyers? Why would a guy making $3 to 10 million a year steal less than a hundred thousand (not the $500,000 that you jokers think he stole - do a little more research). It doesn't make sense. You people need to learn to do your own research instead of just reading snippets of what is put in front of you.

http://www.cleveland.com/business/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/business/1155286458120170.xml&coll=2

Because at some point - and I don't know the defining moment, the rich and powerful think that they are untouchable and above the law. Bush/Co comes to mind.

I think the judge should have required him to listen to the Celine Dion CD for the duration of his home detention. Of course, that probably qualifies as cruel and unusual punishment.

Must be nice. These kind of results send very clear (Bush-like) messages to the public. There ARE people who are exempt...

I hope he trips down the stairs, breaks his neck, is paralyzed for the rest of his life and then chokes to death on his own vomit.

Then I'd call it even.

I got an answer the why question GREED!

So he makes $3-10 million a year? You don't go steal $3 million dollars dumbshit. Someone might notice it. You pick and sneak and it adds up to $100K or $500K. To think that because he makes so much money that the only correct way for him to steal is to take a larger percentage is ridiculous. Multi-millionaire wives are caught stealing bars of soap and tennis shoes all the time. It has nothing to do with the money, dumb-dumb. Obviously. He has money. It has to do with the fact that he can get something for nothing -- there's a thrill to it. To sit around and "do the math" totally negates the reason why he did it. Of course, he didn't need the money. That's such a stupid point you made.

So $100,000 is not a lot of money? Sure it is, even to a millionaire. That's a free sports car or several high dollar vacations or down payment on a summer house. Good Lord. ? That's a ridiculous point to make that because he only stole $100,000 it shows he probably didn't do it. That makes no sense and your logic is completely flawed. You're pretty gullible person to believe that.

It's too bad he isn't goin' to prison. With his rotund heaving jello ass, I'm sure he'd be v@

anon 3:46

look at you! going up to bat for a guy found guilty of stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars. what are you? a lawyer? say what you want about the details but he's guilty and youre trying to make it sound like its not so bad.

Ever think that the reason he got off so easily is because the charges where trumped up by the real power here - Wal-Mart executives and lawyers?

'If' the charges were 'trumped up' against him (or anyone) then any sentence is too much.

Or you denying that wealthy, white-collar criminals often get treated differently than, say, a poor person who's caught shoplifting...or with a few joints...or writes a bad check?

Free Tookie the murderer!!

Then.

"I hope he trips down the stairs, breaks his neck, is paralyzed for the rest of his life and then chokes to death on his own vomit. "

You liberals make me laugh.

The wealthier most people are, the greedier they become. That's not true of everyone, certainly not someone as generous as Win Rockefeller or Warren Buffett. Why did the WorldCom and Enron execs cheat? Why do multimillionaires cheat on their taxes? I don't know, but I sure know they do it.

I think someone should watch the Judge's bank account for the next year or so. Bet someone we know gets a new bass boat or a golfing trip to Scotland. Did the autopsy report say that was really Ken Lay in the casket?

Guilt or innocence seems to often depend on the size of the defendant's bank account. You know that's the case here. Go on and tell me how corrupt Mexico is.....yeah right.

that is sh-t..damn crooked judges.so may people go to jail that are sick but he gets off because he can't "handle it."fuc-ng crooked juicial system..i'm sure money paved the way for him.but i'm sure it will never get brought up.that's our government isn't it?.they only talk about what they want people to hear.fuc-king bumpkins

Ever think that the reason he got off so easily is because the charges where trumped up by the real power here - Wal-Mart executives and lawyers?

BINGO! Coughlin was the old school at WalMart. The family wanted him out is what a WM insider mentioned to me. But the plot thickens.

Did he do it? Likely, very likely. Why did he get off so lightly? He didn't spill all the beans about the UNION PROJECT. Recall how quickly that part of his story evaporated.

His major crime, like so many who are not emotionally equipped to handle the stress, pressure and demands of success (Am. style) is that Mr. Coughlin is an alcoholic.

We may be amazed how many coke heads and alkies climbed to the top of Everyday Low Prices.

Was it a just sentence? There will be no justice in this nation until we learn to focus upon the nomination and election of judges the way the super-rich do. Judges are their key to privilege. It could be ours but hashing it out over the Gov's office seems the preferred sport.
_

Let the record speak for itself.

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOUSEWIFE
11/16/2002
$2,000
Republican Party of Arkansas

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER
9/30/2003
$1,000
Boozman, John

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOMEMAKER/HOMEMAKER
7/11/2003
$250
Boozman, John

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA H
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOMEMAKER
12/18/2001
$500
Hutchinson, Tim

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA H
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOMEMAKER
4/23/2001
$250
Hutchinson, Tim

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA MRS
CENTERTON,AR 72719
COUGHLIN'S RANCH/MANAGER
2/13/2004
$2,000
Bush, George W

COUGHLIN, THOMAS M
CENTERTON,AR 72719
WAL=MART/VICE CHAIRMAN
9/2/2004
$1,000
Boozman, John

COUGHLIN, THOMAS M
CENTERTON,AR 72719
WALMART STORES INC
12/18/2001
$500
Hutchinson, Tim

COUGHLIN, THOMAS M MR
CENTERTON,AR 72719
WAL-MART/VICE CHAIRMAN
12/22/2003
$2,000
Bush, George W

COUGHLIN, CYNTHIA H
CENTERTON,AR 72719
HOMEMAKER
9/19/2000
$2,500
Republican Party of Arkansas

COUGHLIN, THOMAS M MR
CENTERTON,AR 72719
WAL-MART/VICE CHAIRMAN
6/06/2000
$100.00
Robert Balfe

Interesting that Balfe, who is the US Attorney down in Fort Smith were this "deal" was brokered. And, Hutchinson, Boozeman were also contibutors to Balfe's campaign for Prosecuting Attorney in both 2000 and 2002 - has a certain smell about it and definately gives the impression of incestual relationships. You decide.

Dr. Joel Carver is a thoughtful and compassionate doctor, and I am sure he did what he felt was best for his patient.

I just wonder why the prosecution didn't match Carver with an equally competent and compassionate doctor who could testify to why Coughlin might actually thrive in prison. He would have free medical care, he would not be able to drink, if that is an issue for him, and he probably would lose a lot of weight. He would also have an opportunity to work out during a great portion of the day. Jail might actually benefit this miscreant.

Now that I think about it, maybe leaving him at home is the best thing. He can bad-habit himself to death.

Why all the emphasis on revenge here? Did this guy steal something from you? The fact is that he stole from Wal-Mart, who hired him and kept in a place of trust for several years. Shouldn't they be the ones policing this matter? Why should the rest of us have to pay the cost of his being in prison? In other words, it's like Wal-Mart took a hot check from him. They were there with their eyes open, or should have been. You and I are merely bystanders in this transaction. This guy is disgraced, finished as a business person, and has to stay home all the time where there apparently are a bunch of Republicans. You don't think this is enough punishment?

BlueTicker,

Looks like 11 out of 11 contributions went to the Republican party. Yes, it's just a coincidence that he got slapped on the wrist. Crack dealers in the ghetto need to start those contributions flowing I guess.

Dadgum Blue Ticker, that coon dog nose of yours works real well! Look at all those good Fort Smith Republicans who appear to connect to the end of all these lines of dots.

I'm telling you some of the same old pots that gave Abe Lincoln his first campaign money here in Fort Republican are still forking over the cash 146 years later. Surely that's a Guinness record of some kind!

I think the Republican$ here call it Family Value$....uh huh.

It seems most of theses negative comments have the same theme. Death to the wealthy,or in this case inprisonment. I would guess there is a certain amount of jealousy or maybe just envy of the wealthy in the criticism of this sentence. Putting all this aside, look at the dollars and cents of this case. The Justice system spent millions of dollars prosecuting this case and they want to spend millions more to keep this man in prison. I personally don't see the sense in this. This was a case of a certain Wal-mart executive want toget rid of another executive and doing so at the taxpayers expense.This could have been handle much better internally,(within the company) but instead was brought to the publics eye in order to create much embarassment to this man. I say (Shame on Wal-mart ), they were allowed to play their in-house company politics, in public, at we the tax payers expense

Another Republican proclaiming that if your rich and connected, then you didn't really steal and defraud the company...it's just a misunderstanding or a power play. The man stole a half a million dollars - and you defend him. How about defending the kid who had more than the legal limit of Mary Jane and got 20 years at Brickey's? Jesus, the defenders of Republcians and the rich are the most vile hypocrites of all. Enablers of evil.

But maybe that six figures to Ronnie Flyod's church covers the sins right? No honor among thiefs.

-I think most posters here are correct in their summaries that this fat pig stole, and should get the same penalties that any poor person would get. I don't buy it that he's too sick to go to jail, high cost or not...that's not the point. Look what we spend to put drug users behind bars for way too long. Call it revenge if you want to, I call it justice. (INjustice in this case) Maybe this guy needs a visit to one of the many "secret" prisons, since Bu$hco seems to think it's ok to do whatever they want to people, then not expect them to do the same to our people. Some people have no common sense, or sense of decency.

At the end of the day, Wal-Mart's reputation suffered, Coughlin and his family's reputation suffered, other executives who just did what they were forced to do suffered, and the town of Bentonville suffered because one person thought they were bigger than they had a right to be, and that they were "owed" certain rights and privileges.

There's no "Grassy Knoll" here. It is what it is.

Why do people steal? Because they're thiefs! Plain & simple.

Although investigators found no proof of Coughlin's claims that the money was used for labor union pay-offs, is it just a coincidence that Wal-Mart Watch and Wake-Up Wal-Mart -- both union-backed organizations -- kicked off their campaigns in April 2005 --within a month after Coughlin's termination in March 2005? What held them off til then? Could it be these groups were formed once it became obvious there would be no more pay-offs? I hope this is something the media will investigate.

Shades of Bruce Bennett.
When Faubus's Atty General got caught and found guilty in his S & L stealing the same excuse was used to keep him out of jail. I think he lived about 15 years after the conviction. At least it seemed that long

Cato, you're 5 years off. Bruce Bennett lived 10 years after he was found guilty. He died in 1979 at the age of 62. He supposedly had throat cancer all that time. I don't know, I wasn't there, I'm not a doctor.

I just love the usual comments here, trying to connect this to Republican chicanery. Fact: John Boozman did not sentence Coughlin. Fact: George W. Bush did not sentence him. Fact: even U.S. Attorney Bob Balfe didn't do it. Who sentenced him? U.S. District Judge Bob Dawson, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton, at the urging of Senator Dale Bumpers. Those are pretty inconvenient facts for you guys, which explains why you have neglected to mention them.

You still can't change the fact Bruce, that had he got caught with a mj joint his fat ass would be in jail right now. That's really the issue in the string how there are two kinds of justice and it makes no difference which political persuasion they belong to but rather how much $$$$$$$$$$$ they represent. And that's a fact.

Dr. Joel Carver is a thoughtful and compassionate doctor, and I am sure he did what he felt was best for his patient Posted by: ForWhatIt'sWorth | August 11, 2006 07:57 PM

Dr. Joel Carver does what he feels is best for people who donate to his charity...The Jones Center For Families in Springdale.

The Coughlins donate tons of money to the Jones Center For Families of which Dr. Joel Carver is trustee.

It's also interesting that Dr. Carver helped push to allow Alice Walton to do her community service time at The Jones Center.

If you're rich and in trouble...call Dr. Carver

Guys bitching about our unjust, unfair and according to Ralph Nader, INSANE, drug laws is not going to change them.

Drug convictions carry mandatory sentencing. The felony Tom Coughlin committed doesn't.

Sending Representatives to Congress who are willing to undo some of the mandatory sentencing rules is the only recourse. Any volunteers?

There is one alternative: If every city, or circut court district had to contribute substantially to a prisoner's cost then it would not take long to get sentences reduced, except for the most grievous crimes.

Let's see, Martha Stewart is healthy enough to go to prison but since fat Tom isn't healthy enough he gets home detention. what a stupid system..

Yes, it is a pitiful shame he isn't going to do some time. This fat greedy bastard put himself into this mess by overeating, sleeping around on his wife, and drinking to excess. He is the biggest alcoholic ever known to Wal-Mart and even convinced his best friend, Bob H., to drink himself to his grave. He needed the cash for all the liquor to keep it from his wife. A man that can drink 1/2 gallon of vodka or crown royal in a day should take responsibility for becoming so stupid and stealing money.