THINGS DON'T ALWAYS GO BETTER WITH COKE

Two defendants received sentences of 8 years and 5 years in FEDERAL PRISON for stealing secrets. Anytime you steal secrets and get caught, you should plan on going straight to prison, period. There is, however, one funny thing about this case: the secrets they stole were from Coca-Cola. Now here's the opening of the article, and pay particular attention to what the judge had to say about this crime:

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ATLANTA — A former Coca-Cola (KO) secretary convicted of conspiring to steal trade secrets from the world's largest beverage maker was sentenced Wednesday to 8 years in federal prison.

Joya Williams, 42, faced up to 10 years on the single conspiracy charge in a failed scheme to sell the materials to rival Pepsi for at least $1.5 million. She was convicted Feb. 2 after a jury trial in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, where the Coca-Cola Co. is based.

"This is the kind of offense that cannot be tolerated in our society," U.S. District Judge J. Owen Forrester said in imposing sentence.

A co-defendant, Ibrahim Dimson, was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Forrester's sentence for Williams was more severe than the 63- to 78-month sentence recommended by federal prosecutors and federal sentencing guidelines.

He said the seriousness of the crime necessitated a departure from the guidelines, which federal judges are not bound by.

"I can't think of another case in 25 years that there's been so much obstruction of justice," the judge said of Williams' conduct.

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I couldn't agree more, it's a serious case. And I agree they should go to prison.

But Sandy Berger stole secrets too. Secrets that didn't have a damn thing to do with the mixing of a soft drink, but, instead, with our NATIONAL SECURITY. And what did Berger get for his offense? A fine and community service. Curt at Flopping Aces reminds us of the court's decision in the Berger case.

Jack Cashill puts the Berger case together for us in this 3-part series. A must read. I know I'm not the only one out here noticing that something's very wrong in the Berger case. Coca-Cola secrets=Federal prison; National security secrets=Fine and community service. Yep, something's wrong here.

One day, I hope, we'll get to the bottom of the Berger case. If anyone can, it's Jack Cashill.