DNC to Block Virtual Iowa Caucuses Due to Security Worry; Critics Say Bail Industry Is Profiting Off Underprivileged; Bail Bonding Companies Enlist Lobbyists to Thwart Bail Reform
CABRERA: Top 2020 Democratic hopefuls are promising a huge change to the criminal justice system. Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are among those calling to get rid of cash bail. They say it disproportionately targets the poor, where one arrest can mean a lifetime of debt, even if the charges are dismissed. CNN's Drew Griffin explains why change won't come easy.</s>DREW GRIFFIN, CNN SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Two billion is roughly how much money the bail bond business reportedly takes in across the country every year. Who pays? Underprivileged people, under arrest who find themselves facing a decision. Sit in jail for months to await trial or pay a bail bonds man to get them out.</s>CHERISE FANNO BURDEEN, CEO, PRETRIAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE: Most people who are arrested are actually low-income or almost no income individuals. And when we put a ransom on their liberty, it has a dramatic impact on people.</s>GRIFFIN: Here's how the bail system works. Let's say you're arrested and the judge sets bail at $50,000. If you have money, you can you pay it, go free and get it back when you show up for your court date. I you don't have the money you can sit in jail until trial or hire a bonds man to bail you out. The bonds man will likely charge you 10 percent, $5,000. That's a few paid to a bonds man that you will never get back. Even if you are not guilty, even if the charges are dropped. Add on interest from payment plans and fees. Often the debt can last for years. Iowa District Judge Robert Hanson says the system is flawed.</s>JUDGE ROBERT HANSON, IOWA DISTRICT COURT: The thing that I know is that monetary bonds do not guarantee that the bad people stay in jail. And monetary bonds do not guarantee that the safe people are released.</s>GRIFFIN: Many states are making changes to move away from relying on money bail. But CNN found out the business that profits from the current system, the powerful bail industry is working hard to stop reform. It has derailed, stalled or killed reform efforts in at least nine states. One of the best examples, Iowa, a pilot program called the Public Safety Assessment Tool gave judges more information about defendants. And those deemed low risk could get out of jail without having to pay bail. Antwan Stewart arrested for stealing beer was able to walk to his job at a bakery every day while waiting for trial instead of sitting in jail.</s>ANTWOIN STEWART, RELEASED WITHOUT HAVING TO PAY BAIL: That's why I say it saved my life.</s>GRIFFIN: CNN talked to more than a dozen officials in the Iowa justice system. Corrections officials, judges, public defenders who supported the program, but here is where Iowa's story takes a dark twist. Because in the middle of last year's state budget process, and out of the blue, this line was inserted into an appropriations bill which stopped Iowa's bail reform in its tracks, the public safety assessment pilot program shall be terminated. It turns out behind the scenes, there was an explanation, you just had to follow the money.</s>RICK OLSON (D) IOWA STATE HOUSE: Lederman Bail Bonds didn't like the program because there were defendants, people being held in jail that were getting out of jail without having to post any type of a bond. They were losing business.</s>GRIFFIN (on camera): That was it?</s>OLSON: Market share.</s>GRIFFIN (voice over): Lederman Bail Bonds, a huge bail bonds company in Iowa, with 150 agents across the Midwest and a drive through service just outside the gates of Iowa's Polk County jail. It's run by the Lederman brothers. This is Jacob in Des Moines who told us to talk to his brother Josh. Josh in Davenport declined interview requests. CNN did some digging and it turns out the Ledermans may have decided money would do their talking. Since 2017 Josh Lederman has paid a powerful Iowa lobbying firm more than $74,000. He's also donated more than $36,000 to Republican campaigns in 2018. That's more money donated in one year than he spent in the past 15 years combined. And Josh Lederman for the first time ever last year, made a donation to a Republican representative in rural Storm Lake, Iowa named Gary Worthan. Worthan's district had nothing to do with the pilot program but he submitted the amendment to the budget bill to kill the program. Worthan is co-chair of the Justice System Appropriations Subcommittee. (on camera): Representative Worthan, this is Drew Griffin with CNN, thanks for picking up the call. (voice over): Worthan would speak only reluctantly by phone. (on camera): Can you explain why you were trying to -- or why you did get rid of the Public Safety Assessment Pilot Program?</s>REP. GARY WORTHAN (R) IOWA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: Well, from your tone of voice you already decided what -- what direction this article is taking and I'm not here to be misquoted or having my comment taken out of context and this is why I don't want to be associated in any way with</s>CNN. GRIFFIN (voice over): This year Gary Worthan once again included language in the budget bill making it nearly impossible the program will ever restart. Drew Griffin, CNN, Des Moines.</s>CABRERA: Donkeys played a critical role in American history, helping to build railroads and other infrastructure but today they are often abandoned and abused. Well, this week CNN's Hero is trying to change that. He has saved more than 13,000 donkeys giving them a second chance at life and finding them forever homes.</s>MARK MEYERS, DONKEY RESCUER (voice over): Donkeys speak to my soul. (on camera): That lip will come loose. Won't it? Donkeys are like dogs. They're amazing animals that nobody gets. I understand what they're thinking. And there are so many donkeys in so many places that need so much help. There is nothing cuter than a baby donkey. We're saving them, we're improving their lives. I want to see every donkey find its happiness, its happy place, its peaceful place.</s>CABRERA: So see more of Mark's work go to CNNheroes.com right now. We'll be right back.