Government admits lying about jailed border agents (DHS fesses up - Rep. Poe ticked!)

World Net Daily ^ | February 6, 2007 | Jerome R. Corsi

[calcowgirl]

Inspector confronted on Capitol Hill, says promised 'proof' does not exist

A Department of Homeland Security official admitted today the agency misled Congress when it contended it possessed investigative reports proving Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean confessed guilt and declared they "wanted to shoot some Mexicans" prior to the incident that led to their imprisonment.

The admission came during the testimony of DHS Inspector General Richard L. Skinner before the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, according to Michael Green, press secretary for Rep. John Culberson, R-Texas.

Culberson was questioning Skinner about a meeting DHS officials had Sept. 26 with him and three other Republican congressman from Texas, Reps. Ted Poe, Michael McCaul and Kenny Marchant.

WND previously reported that at that meeting the DHS Inspector General's office asserted it had documentary evidence Ramos and Compean:

1. confessed to knowingly shooting at an unarmed suspect;

2. stated during the interrogation they did not believe the suspect was a threat to them at the time of the shooting;

3. stated that day they "wanted to shoot a Mexican";

4. were belligerent to investigators;

5. destroyed evidence and lied to investigators.

Under questioning by Culberson, Skinner admitted DHS did not in fact have investigative reports to back up the claims: "The person who told you that misinformed you," Skinner reportedly replied.

This prompted a startled and angry response from the congressman.

"You lied to me and you lied to all of us," Culberson charged. "Your office tried to paint a picture of Ramos and Compean as dirty cops, and now you come before this committee and tell us you never had the information to back up those claims."

Ramos and Compean began prison sentences last month after their actions in the shooting of a drug smuggler who was granted immunity to testify against them.

Responding to Skinner's testimony yesterday, Poe said it "explains why DHS has been stonewalling Congress."

"DHS didn't turn over the reports to us to back up their September 26 accusations for one simple reason – the reports never existed," the Texas congressman said.

"Why did it take DHS four months to admit their error?" he asked. "I wonder how much more has DHS told the public and Congress about Ramos and Compean that simply isn't true?"

Poe said he's determined to get to the bottom of DHS's claim.

"I expect this new revelation will lead to a lot more questions before we're done," he said.

Andy Ramirez, who has been involved with the case as chairman of Friends of the Border Patrol, told WND the DHS's actions "represent obstruction of justice, and they should be held in contempt of Congress, and, if possible, prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

"This admission today is yet more proof of how they are willing to distort the facts, as I have charged all along, in order to ensure a conviction," he said.

[investigateworld]

That's very possible. Sometimes when you bring a informant in from the cold, there simply isn't the budget to set him up and build the legends it takes to start a new life plus the surgery and stuff ( don't ask me how I know ;^)

[CharlesWayneCT]

Oh boy, more people to add to the grand conspiracy to destroy two unknown border patrol agents.


Warden, warden's "running dog lackeys", the chain of command up to the Attorney General.

We'll have to burn down the entire government in order to save these two upstanding men from paying for their crimes.

[listenhillary]

I can believe it. Not getting a straight story from underlings happens. Especially if they think they won't be found out.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Too many people were on the thread last night casting doubt on whether the beating really occured. No wonder they are getting away with this travesty when so many still have their eyes closed to the truth.

[CyberAnt]

Well .. according to Tony Snow .. the Admin was very supportive of Sutton .. but I smell a RAT! I wouldn't be messin' with the Admin if I was Sutton. To me .. it seemed Sutton was all too eager to believe everybody but the Border Patrol agents.

And .. it's not just Poe that's ticked .. Duncan Hunter was given all kinds of assurances that both men would not be in the general population.

And .. tonight on O'Reilly .. Bill went ballistic on the lady who's in charge of the prison where the assault took place, and he said he's holding her personally responsible to see that this does not happen again.

The really sad part .. Ramos' family is in CA and Ramos is in MO. This keeps Ramos' family from being able to see him. I blame Arnold for this fiasco.

[SwinneySwitch]

Poe Ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[Issaquahking]

Flip up H & C, Hannity is supposed to have info on juror's. None of us want to miss a beat on this issue. Especially when all the facts hit accessibility to us. unfortunately, with this administration, I don't expect much when it comes to American border security.

[ArtyFO]

Jeeze, I hope they live long enough to appeal. This is a rotten case. Someone on high needs to go to jail.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Prison officials confirmed that Ignacio Ramos was attacked late Saturday and suffered minor cuts and bruises.

Well, that explains why had hadn't recieved special medical attention and wasn't under a doctor's care. Seems the beating (deplorable as such a thing is) wasn't as bad as WND made it out to be.

As I said in the first thread, there was probably some truth to the story, but it couldn't be the way it was being reported (to be fair to WND, they weren't the first to report).

[Enterprise]

Count me as a continuing Bushbot. But also count me as a strong supporter of the two agents and urging President Bush to get them out of prison pending their appeals. The Government is being shown to have a lot of dirt on its hands, and President Bush needs to distance himself from it.

[RegulatorCountry]

"t's a public relations problem."

That's a rather Clintonian way to describe lying to Congress.

[NormsRevenge]

Typically, they would be available within a few days after the trial is complete.. even in prolonged trials with lots of testimony etc.

A few weeks might apply here, worst case, jmo. 2 months seems a bit out there.

I have 2 nieces that do court reporting and such, make good money too.

[Arizona Carolyn]

"Supposedly" the initial report was made by the agent in the Tucson sector (you know the one who is friends with the druggie these guys were supposed to have shot?) to the DHS... thus the involvement from day one by DHS in this entire case.

[calcowgirl]

Every time I fly and am forced to remove my shoes, I'm grateful Richard Reid is not known as the Underwear Bomber.

ROFL!

[hispanarepublicana]

I hate to say it, and I often don't put myself out on a limb (sad pun not intended) by bringing it up unecessarily, but I wonder if as much doubt would be cast on Ramos by many if his name were Branch.

[Reagan is King]

Lying scumbags! Bush needs to start dishing out some pardons.

[Sue Bob]

Section 1001. Statements or entries generally (click on title for source) (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully - (1) falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact; (2) makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or (3) makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry; shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both. (b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or that party's counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by such party or counsel to a judge or magistrate in that proceeding. (c) With respect to any matter within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch, subsection (a) shall apply only to - (1) administrative matters, including a claim for payment, a matter related to the procurement of property or services, personnel or employment practices, or support services, or a document required by law, rule, or regulation to be submitted to the Congress or any office or officer within the legislative branch; or (2) any investigation or review, conducted pursuant to the authority of any committee, subcommittee, commission or office of the Congress, consistent with applicable rules of the House or Senate.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Key word: money.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

"It is far past time for Gonzales to appoint a special prosecutor to look into the actions of the Government and its officials in this dirty case."

Yeah get ready for "I have no recollection of that, Senator," and "I refuse that answer that question on the grounds that I might....."

[SoCalPol]

If this was the other way around, the MSM would be on this like white on rice