Grand Old Police Blotter: Jammin', Jammin' Edition

A slap on the wrist for a Puke phone phreak:

CONCORD, N.H. -- The former executive director of the state Republican Party was sentenced Thursday to seven months in prison for jamming Democratic telephone lines during the 2002 general election.

Chuck McGee pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiring to make anonymous calls to annoy or harass. He also was fined $2,000 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service. He faced up to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

"I made a mistake," McGee said as he left court. "I'm prepared to pay for that mistake."

...

Federal prosecutor Todd Hinnen asked for leniency, saying McGee had cooperated.

[District Judge Joseph] DiClerico said 10 months in prison would be appropriate for the crime, but cut that to seven months.

James Tobin, the former Northeast political director of the national party committee working to elect Republican senators, also is charged in the case. Prosecutors say he orchestrated the jamming. Tobin has pleaded innocent.

...

McGee asked to serve his sentence promptly. He must turn himself in by April 26.

"I'll be back in 2006 to help some good Republicans get elected," he said.

So hell freezes over by December 31.