Burton Vows FBI Probe

60 Minutes ^ | 1/25/02

[STARWISE]

Cites Case Involving Wrongfully Imprisoned Man
Says He Will Press On Despite Bush's Denial of Documents
Claims Hoover Knew Of Miscarriage of Justice

Jan. 25, 2002

AP
Rep Dan Burton

(CBS) A Boston case in which the FBI knowingly participated in a conspiracy to send an innocent man to prison for 32 years has so incensed the chairman of the House Committee on Government Reform that he has vowed to keep investigating the FBI for more such injustices.

The chairman, Dan Burton, R-Ind., tells Mike Wallace in a 60 Minutes interview that he will press on with his campaign despite being denied access to subpoenaed FBI documents by an executive order imposed by President Bush. The interview with Burton will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Burton will convene more committee hearings during the first week of February.

The case that enraged Burton involves Joseph Salvati, whom the FBI knowingly allowed to be wrongly convicted for murder to protect Mafia murderers who were FBI informants. Burton says this case destroyed his image of one of his childhood heroes.

“I always thought J. Edgar Hoover walked on water when I was a kid,” he tells Wallace. “But when I found out Mr. Salvati had been put in prison for a crime he didn’t commit and they knew it - the FBI for 32 years - and there was no remorse because of it, I said, ‘Something has to be done.’ ”

James Wilson, chief legal counsel for Burton’s committee, received FBI documents showing that the FBI’s knowledge of Salvati’s innocence led up the chain of command, right to Hoover. “That’s what the evidence shows…[Hoover] was kept informed of [Salvati’s case] on an almost daily basis,” Burton says . “It’s a shocking thing.”

Burton has subpoenaed more FBI documents, but Attorney General John Ashcroft has refused to supply them, and President Bush has backed Ashcroft up with an order of executive privilege. The White House maintains that airing the documents “would be contrary to the national interest.”

In lieu of documents, Burton will call witnesses to come forward with evidence of FBI wrongdoing at the scheduled hearings. He also wants to take Hoover’s name off the bureau’s headquarters.

“J. Edgar Hoover knew Mr. Salvati was innocent.…that was a miscarriage of justice,” Burton says. “He knew it and his name should not be emblazoned on the FBI’s headquarters. We ought to change the name of that building.”

[STARWISE]

I'm totally behind Burton pursuing this .. and I'm MOST disappointed that our President (much as I adore him) is blocking the release of the records covering this scandalous and vile abuse of Salvati and his family by our government. There must be some big fish or secret that's being protected. Hoover's name should definitely go. Can't imagine what it would feel like to see 32 years of your life and your family purposely destroyed by your government to protect disgusting hitmen and criminals. Prayers for peace to the Salvati's.

[Fred Mertz]

I'd like to see a little justice in this case.

[mrsmith]

The evidence that cleared Salvati was provided by a Justice Department task force to the Courts.

Former FBI Special Agent John Connolly - the agent in charge of the informants from 1975 to the early 1990s - is awaiting trial on charges that range from bribery to the possibility that information he supplied to Bulger led to the deaths of other FBI informants.

Besides the trial of Connally, there are civil cases currently in the courts by others wrongfully imprisoned.
After these cases are tried, Burton can get the appropriate information from Justice and hold useful hearings.

[Pushi]

I agree. Somebody big is being protected.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

“J. Edgar Hoover knew Mr. Salvati was innocent.…that was a miscarriage of justice,” Burton says

WELL clinton knew all the people he pardoned were guilty as he$$ but he pardoned them anyway what happened there ?

[jimkress]

Isn't that just another form of delay? How will release of the documents demanded by Burton affect any other legal proceeding?

It sounds like Janet Reno never left the 'Justice' Department ...

[mrsmith]

Read holdonnow's article and his replies, posted here: "Right to Know": Let the executive branch be

[Young Rhino]

Politics makes strange bedfellows, and the feds have been in bed with the mob from time to time. The feds can't afford for alot of info. to get loose or every RICO defendant gets a free pass. The mob probably has its hands in alot of black ops, and undoubtedly serves as an invaluable source of Cuban intel now that the Sicilians have made significant inroads in Havana.

[pt17]

The Boston FBI should be investigated, as should most everything else in Boston, including the archdiocese and especially that gargantuan piece of pork known as the Big Dig. You may think MA's troubles are localized; however, they're costing everyone major tax dollars. MA is bigger than a pimple on the but of the country, it's a boil. Having now vented by saying that, was I too harsh on Teddyland?

[Elle Bee]

William H. Webster, Hoover's sucessor has ample baggage her also ....... and he has links to Bush the elder

Carter appointed Webster as FBI Director ..... The Elder appointed Webster as CIA Director

.

[Fred Mertz]

BTTT

[timestax]

I'd like to see a little justice in this case. 2 posted on 1/27/02 8:42 PM Pacific by Fred Mertz [ Post Reply

DITTO !!!!

[OKCSubmariner]

Burtons needs to investigate FBI,CIA, & DOJ massive coverups and criminal conduct in TWA 800, Waco,OKC Bombing, 1993 WTC Bombing, 9/11 Attacks, FBI Agent Rogoskey's allegations,etc. It seems now the Bush administration is helping coverup what the Clinton administration covered up in these areas.

Anyone with connections please ask Burton to also proceed in these areas against the FBI, DOJ and officials of both the Clinton and Bush administrations (Clinton, Bush,Freeh,Reno,Ashcroft,Mueller,Tenet,Berger,Lake,etc.)

Thanks.

[OKCSubmariner]

Burton needs to investigate FBI,CIA, & DOJ massive coverups and criminal conduct in TWA 800, Waco,OKC Bombing, 1993 WTC Bombing, 9/11 Attacks, FBI Agent Rogoskey's allegations,etc. It seems now the Bush administration is helping coverup what the Clinton administration covered up in these areas.

Anyone with connections please ask Burton to also proceed in these areas against the FBI, DOJ and officials of both the Clinton and Bush administrations (Clinton, Bush,Freeh,Reno,Ashcroft,Mueller,Tenet,Berger,Lake,etc.)

Thanks.

[timestax]

Huh, you must be dreaming! Nice thought though!

[OKCSubmariner]

BTTT!

Burton needs to investigate FBI,CIA, & DOJ massive coverups and criminal conduct in TWA 800, Waco,OKC Bombing, 1993 WTC Bombing, 9/11 Attacks, FBI Agent Rogoskey's allegations (national security violations by the FBI),etc. It seems now the Bush administration is helping coverup what the Clinton administration covered up in these areas.

Anyone with connections please ask Burton to also proceed in these areas against the FBI, DOJ and officials of both the Clinton and Bush administrations (Clinton, Bush,Freeh,Reno,Potts,Coulson,Kennedy,Rogers,Ashcroft,Mueller,Tenet,Berger,Lake,etc.)

Thanks.

[bayourod]

"Burton says this case destroyed his image of one of his childhood heroes. "

Burton is doing it for the children.