Officials: Hastert "In the Mix" of Congressional Bribery Investigation (DOJ Denies)

ABC ^ | May 24, 2006 | Brian Ross

[RDTF]

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert, is under investigation by the FBI, which is seeking to determine his role in an ongoing public corruption probe into members of Congress, ABC News has learned from high level official sources.

Federal officials say the 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 other tribes.

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

The letter was written shortly after a fund-raiser for Hastert at a restaurant owned by Abramoff. Abramoff and his clients contributed more than $26,000 at the time

[NormsRevenge]

The plot thickens..

[Sir Gawain]

It's all making sense now...

[Patrick1]

No wonder he was unhappy about the FBI raid on Jefferson.

[atomicpossum]

Makes me wonder what he has in his freezer.

[sissyjane]

So this explains why he had his little hissy about the FBI searching Jefferson's office. If true.....

[Terpfen]

This might explain Hastert's behavior regarding William Jefferson.

[oolatec]

Exactly. The fact that Dems and Repubs seem to have united against this arrest/raid is quite telling...

[bigeasy_70118]

If true, we can kiss Congrss goodbye.

[GipperCT]

First complaining about executive powers today now this. Damn RINOs!

[Robe]

Well, Surprise,Surprise,!!!

[Gay State Conservative]

As my Mom always said:

"Jesus,Mary and Joseph!!!!"

[Crawdad]

And why Newt was backing him.

[goldstategop]

No wonder Hastert was so outraged over the Jefferson raid, not because the target was a Democrat but because he's next in the bulls-eye. The elites, regardless of family differences, at the end of the day, they all stick together. They are above the law and how dare - how dare the FBI treat them like the Little People. Its sheer arrogance combined with a heady dose of fear. They're afraid their house of corruption will fall down on them.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[eureka!]

His protestations on the Jefferson "raid" are going to bite his fat *ss in a big way. Sheesh. Unfreakingbelievable....

[Nickname]

Oh.

Hmm.

I see.

This will be interesting.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Someone is trying to divert attention from William Jefferson, Democrat, Louisiana.

[Republicus2001]

WHATS IN YOUR FREEZER?

[USNBandit]

watch this get 10 times the press, though.....