Nevada federal judge Harry Claiborne was just the fifth person in U.S. history

Nevada federal judge Harry Claiborne was just the fifth person in U.S. history to be impeached by the U.S. Senate. But was Claiborne railroaded by vindictive federal agents? His supporters have long contended the longtime defense lawyer turned judge was unfairly targeted and then sent to prison.

Claiborne died a few years ago but always felt his name would be cleared someday. A new book about the disgraced judge appears to do just that. The late '70s through the mid '80s was a contentious time for federal law enforcement in Nevada. Much of the state saw the feds as enemies who viewed everyone in Nevada as a crook. And agents will tell you, a heck of a lot of the power structure was crooked, in their eyes.

They went after Harry Claiborne with a vengeance, and eventually got him. Author Michael Vernetti says in his new book, Lies Within Lies, that it was tragic and wrong.

Claiborne was never more eloquent than when he appeared before the U.S. Senate as part of his own defense. He was the first federal judge in a century to face impeachment. And while the Senate proceeding may have looked like a fair trial, Claiborne's biographer says the outcome was always a foregone conclusion.