February 29, 2008
Posted: 11:24 AM ET
 A U.S. Capitol police officer admits to setting fires.
A U.S. Capitol police officer admits to setting fires.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — A policewoman suspected in a series of small fires in restrooms in buildings around Capitol HIll late last year has admitted guilt and agreed to resign and pay restitution to avoid prosecution.

Karen E. Emory, a U.S. Capitol Police officer, must resign by March 4, get a year of professional counseling, and avoid any other criminal activity over the next 12 months.

She was indicted for destroying government property after investigators and prosecutors suspected she was behind at least two fires in women's restrooms in the buildings. None of the fires caused injury or substantial damage, and restitution is listed at $215 dollars, payable within 90 days.

Full story

– CNN's Paul Courson

Filed under: Capitol


Stacy Clarks, Texas   February 29th, 2008 12:28 pm ET

why did she do this? this is quite puzzling!

Eugene Miller,Arlington Texas   February 29th, 2008 12:29 pm ET

Send her to President Bush Ranch Crawford

RPF   February 29th, 2008 12:35 pm ET

Great, US property consists of toilet tissue…

bond   February 29th, 2008 12:40 pm ET

Beavis and Butthead's mom apparently…

LISA   February 29th, 2008 12:43 pm ET

I think should be looked further into. She could have been setting the fires as a distraction for something else to occur…..

ben   February 29th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

not to engage in criminal activity for 12 months?
After that she can engage in criminal activity?

Eliki Thompson   February 29th, 2008 12:50 pm ET

Yeah - how much do you want to bet this BS is tied to the "fires" and "smoke" that billowed out of dick cheneys offices… when he was burning the CIA tapes… errr… i mean yeah… this gal was lighting the TP on fire for no reason.

Sure - sounds plausible.

*rolls eyes*

Lloyd Hansen   February 29th, 2008 12:54 pm ET

But at least she looked good on the affirmative action stats. Remind me why we let women be cops…

Jbecks   February 29th, 2008 12:55 pm ET

civil disobedience at it's finest!

Mariann Pepitone   February 29th, 2008 1:02 pm ET

Instead of paying $215 she should go to jail like all criminals do. And spend some good time like five to ten years. What is the matter with our system?

Medi Marah   February 29th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

People are ill-minded…how on earth can someone who is supposedly a law enforcement officer be the scapegoat of such curel act. wow! the world is scary!

wait a minute   February 29th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

"…has admitted guilt and agreed to resign and pay restitution to avoid prosecution."

Why did this arsonist have to 'agree to resign'?
Does the government have no power to fire her for setting fires anywhere, never mind in government properties?
This is utterly obsurd.

Jason   February 29th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

so she pays virtually the same amount as a speeding ticket for setting fires in the Capitol building? righteous… gotta love that affirmative action

California Independent   February 29th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

To Eugene….. why would you make such an asinine comment and then include your name and address. What a moron.

Darth Vadik, CA   February 29th, 2008 1:35 pm ET

She did it because she's a crazy Republican.

Charlotte   February 29th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Ask Obama, I did not vote for the war, this is Hillarys fault.

Ohio Democrat   February 29th, 2008 1:41 pm ET

Obama told her to do it.

Bubba   February 29th, 2008 2:03 pm ET

Normally, I'd chime in with some snide remark comparing her actions to a current political figure, but this is too sad. Thirty seconds of reading for us, but a career and probably a life down in flames for her. Maybe this will turn out ok for her, but everyone hold your fire here, please.

theburningbed   February 29th, 2008 2:14 pm ET

I wonder if last years arsonists in California will get off that easy? No one was suppose to get hurt there either..

Rex Savage   February 29th, 2008 2:29 pm ET

I think we should call Ken Starr out of reitrement, or whichever rock he has crawled under, and spend another $32M investigating this heinous crilme. Or perhaps Waxman could convene another lengthy, costly hearing to determine the extent of this woman's evil. After all, $215 damage is not to be considered lightly.

However, congratulations to the government, headed by that moron Bush, in apprehending, prosecuting, controlling, and sentencing this crime. Now if Bush could just prod the Judiciary into looking in to . . . well, there are so many! Gonzo. Ashcroft. Libby. Cheney. Rove and on and on. FAt chance of that, eh?

Thinking   February 29th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

An uneducated and cruel saying is: "Put them all against a wall and shoot them!"

Seriously, why should we not do so?

Bob   February 29th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Once again the system gives a slap on the hand to one of it's own. If it were me who committed arson,, I'd be in prison trying to preserve my virginity.

Latigo   February 29th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Obama is indeed a blank slate. He offers little experience in government or the private sector and less explanation of what he will do or HOW he plans to do it. People are just laying their own visions on this man and see him as a messiah. They don't know and don't seem to want to ask who he is or what he will do as President beyond agreeing with the simple platitudes that he expresses in his rather repetitive stump speeches.
.
I don't happen to think experience is a dirty word. Americans can't afford to elect an inexperienced man who will learn how to govern by doing a "co-op" in the White House. Being President is not an internship opportunity. Our safety and our economy and indeed our future are all too important for guessing games or Russian roulette

Obama says Hillary Clinton's campaign only plays on our fears, but someone needs to wake us all up about this new "American idol." If Obama can “get real" and offer us real details… fine. We will have a true measure of this man. But if we end up with a President who has to use the office to "experiment" with his ability to govern, we'll have the biggest “hangover" afterwards and one that won't go away for at least 4 years.

anon   February 29th, 2008 3:22 pm ET

She probably did this to give Obama another exucse not to show up to work!

Randy - Denver   February 29th, 2008 3:55 pm ET

good bubba good I needed the laugh!

i do have to wonder why the statement she cannot commit a crime for 12 months and she agreed to resign… are either of these REALLY a choice?

SMARTEN UP!   February 29th, 2008 3:58 pm ET

omg..she needs a life!

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