Orrin Hatch, of all people, was able to get R&B producer Dallas Austin a ‘get out of jail free’ card after Dallas’ recent conviction for coccaine possession in Dubai.

Granted, 4 years in a UAE jail for possession of 1.26 grams (that’s about 1 and 1/4 raisins worth) of coke seems a bit harsh but it’s their country, they get to make the rules.  This whole deal turns on the fact that both Hatch and Austin retain the services of one Joel A Katz, an entertainment lawyer in Atlanta.  So Austin phones home, Katz calls Hatch and Hatch calls Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and WHAM!, Austin is released.

I’m sure this had nothing to do with Hatch’s support of the DP World bid to to manage several American ports.  Nah….

I’m also sure that Hatch’s campaign fund will get a few hip-hop bling thrown it’s way.  That just makes me laugh.  Maybe he just wants a new record deal.

Politics sure does make strange bedfellows.

CNN.com – GOP senator helped hip-hop producer dodge coke sentence – Jul 8, 2006