WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is probing corruption in Congress, ABC News reported on Wednesday.

ABC, citing high level Justice Department sources, said information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists who are now cooperating with the government.

Part of the investigation involves a letter Hastert wrote three years ago, urging the Secretary of the Interior to block a casino on an Indian reservation that would have competed with those of other tribes.

Hastert's Press Secretary told ABC in a statement: "We are not aware of this." Hastert's spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.

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Ooooh, so that's why Hastert has been so up in arms defending Rep. Jefferson, a Democrat who is on video accepting a bribe, and in whose freezer they found the loot. Here I was, thinking that they must be old fishing buddies or something. Once again our representatives want a different set of rules for themselves and for their constituents. At this point, I don't see how the FBI has done anything wrong, they had the video evidence, Jefferson has refused to comply with court orders, and so they raided him before he was able to compromise the investigation. Jefferson is a crook, and now Hastert has exposed himself as one as well. Why are some Republicans ever so sincerely coming to the defense of Jefferson's rights while it's the Democrats from his own party who are calling on him to resign? It's like we're in Bizarro world, where Superman is evil, and you can't count on anything. Why are Hastert and guys like Frist so concerned with busting on the FBI for picking on poor ol' Jefferson, a guy who has a mountain of evidence that points to his corruption? Does someone see a disturbing trend? Is somebody afraid of what may be found in their own office? That's sure how it looks to me. I just can't see what the FBI did wrong here other than scare the crap out of some shady characters who don't want their offices raided as well.

You'll be glad to hear it turns out that was a mistaken bit of information, Dave. 

Susan 

Official denies House speaker investigation
Wed May 24, 2006 8:19 PM ET


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. Justice Department official denied a report on Wednesday that the speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI in connection with a corruption probe.

ABC News, citing unnamed Justice Department sources, reported that information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted lobbyists now cooperating with the government.

But a Justice Department official told Reuters: "The story is wrong. Hastert is not under investigation."

ABC said part of the investigation involved a letter Hastert wrote three years ago, urging the secretary of the Interior Department to block a casino on an Indian reservation that would have competed with those of other tribes.

The other tribes were represented by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who reportedly provided details of his dealings with Hastert as part of his plea agreement with the government, ABC said.

Hastert's press secretary told ABC in a statement: "We are not aware of this."

Abramoff pleaded guilty in January to fraud charges and is cooperating with prosecutors in the investigation into a conspiracy to bribe members of Congress in return for legislative favors, which could implicate more officials and lawmakers.

Tom DeLay, the former Republican House leader, resigned his seat after becoming embroiled in the Abramoff scandal. Two of his former aides and a former aide to Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in the corruption investigation.

Louisiana Democrat William Jefferson is also under investigation in a separate public corruption probe.

Two of his former associates have pleaded guilty to bribery charges and the FBI disclosed it videotaped Jefferson accepting bribe money and had found $90,000 in cash in his freezer.

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

QUOTE:Wow Susan, it took you a whole 42 minuites to kill that one.

Yeah, well, I was out walking the dog!

I didn't want to say anything about the unfortunate William Jefferson, nor his unfortunate name, not liking to kick a guy when he's down and all. But, how about that cold cash? Do you think he learned it from this season's Sopranos? That's the only time I've ever seen $$$ stored in the frigidaire. 

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

Huh. That's right Susan, I haven't seen any George Jefferson hit threads here, now that you mention it. Interesting contrast .     

Now watch, some admin guy will be called to testify in the Scooter Libby case and that will be the next  big blockbuster.

You know what I think the problem is, Dave, and it's a BIG BIG problem? No one seems to be able to trust anyone or any source anymore. No one in the Congress, no one in the White House, no one in the media can be trusted. Which leaves the populous floundering in uncertainty. Not a good condition. Paranoia breeding more paranoia. What's with the tin-foil wrapped frozen cash in Jefferson's frig? Is Hastert being investigated? Or not? Is ABC onto something? Or were they fed a false lead intentionally to see if they'd "leak" a fake story that would turn around and bite them? Or did ABC have the story right but higher-ups are covering for Hastert and preventing the pursuit of justice?

It's all too labrythine to sort out at this time. Emotions are too high and suspicions run too deep. Then there's that issue of partisanship and upcoming elections that just MAY have a role in this -- this -- whaddever.

Mostly I'm for sitting it out and waiting for the dust to clear. My sense is that it's mostly business as usual no more corrupt than usual. All these guys in politics are so constantly scrutinized it makes business corruption look as easy as kindergarten. And frankly I just have low expectations from the lot of them, media detectives included. And I don't think any one group or one person is smart enought to be masterminding this -- this -- whatever it is. 

Susan

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

That reminds me of the "well, the seriousness of the allegation requires an investigation" argument. Because the story comes from somewhere, then it must be true or at least be looked into and considered as potential truth. That kind of logic is faulty from the very beginning. In these hot political years in which we are all about character assanination, anyone can say something (false or not) and suddenly it becomes a serious allegation and is immediately believed or alleged.

with regards to the searching of a Congressmen's office - damn right the govt should be able to go in there and search someone if they are suspected of a crime. Just because a person is a political official (in any office) doesn't mean they are above the law.

As an aside - Dave, I'm surprised you didn't post this story originally when it first came out regarding a Democrat taking a bribe. Why not? Not interesting enough?

Oh, and Hastert is now threatening to sue !  Usually when someone is willing to put their neck out in lawsuit regarding libel, the allegation is often (but not always) false.

Jordan .

Susan

Here's what I found on the subject, Dave. 

The problem has to do with how co-equal branches of government deal with each other. The House has a Sergeant at Arms; FBI should have gone to THAT office - official LEO - and together FBI and Sergeant at Arms take the office in question apart.

from the website:
http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/politics/legbranc/abtcong.htm

The Sergeant at Arms maintains the order of the House under the direction of the Speaker and is the keeper of the Mace. As a member of the U.S. Capitol Police Board, the Sergeant at Arms is the chief law enforcement officer for the House and serves as Board Chairman each even year. The ceremonial and protocol duties parallel those of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and include arranging the inauguration of the President of the United States, Joint Sessions of Congress, visits to the House of heads of state, and funerals of Members of Congress. The Sergeant at Arms enforces the rules relating to the privileges of the Hall of the House, including admission to the galleries.

 

     
“Half a truth is often a great lie.”

Ben Franklin

No, I don't find it "strange" because I do understand their argument about seperation of powers, BUT the Supreme Court has ruled that no person is above the law, and going through "official" channels because someone is a political leader is frankly unnecessary IMO when a crime has been committed - and is supported by the Constitution. I don't believe seperation of powers comes into play here.

But Dave, your logic is faulty IMHO.

First, just because Frist or Hastert is arguing this was wrong to do (search a Congressmen's office) to the leader of their own party doesn't immediately mean (nor even suggest) that something underhanded is going on (doesn't rule it out either). Frankly, there's no hard (or soft) evdience to suggest that Frist or Hastert are involved in anything, and for you or anyone else to suggest otherwise without facts is frankly disturbing and proves the type of society that we live in - guilt without proof - guilt by association - guilt by simply speaking out.

Hastert and Frist aren't the only ones up in arms about this - as you seem to infer. There's RARE solidarity going on in Congress right now - Reps and Dems are almost all solid on this one. From The Hill article this past week, here's two quotes from different parties:

"Calling the Saturday-night raid an “invasion of the legislative branch,” House Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) predicted the case would eventually be resolved in the Supreme Court and hinted that Congress would take further action. The majority leader said Hastert would take the lead on the issue because he is the chief constitutional officer in the House. "

...“No member of Congress is above the law,” House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told reporters yesterday. “I am concerned about the unprecedented exercising of authority over a separate branch of government and the execution of a search warrant without any communication with the leadership of this House.”"

Using the same logic that you applied with Hastert and Frist, I guess Boehner (poor guy must've had a hard time growing up) and Hoyer both must be involved.

Article 6 Section 1 of the Constitution reads: "They (CONGRESS) shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place."

Even the most liberal interpretation of this sentence says that the Executive Branch followed the letter of the law - bribery is a felony, and as a result, Jefferson doesn't fall under this clause and could've been arrested during the middle of a speech by cops.

Jordan .