Author Reports Theft of Some of Kerry's FBI Files (New Info - New Spin)

L.A. Times ^ | March 27th, 2004 | John Gilonna

[Sabertooth]

Nicosia said he suspected that the thieves were specifically in pursuit of the files because a camera and other expensive items in the home were left untouched. He added that he did not know exactly what material was taken because it was not cataloged or marked. Three of 14 boxes of files that had been stacked in his kitchen are missing. He said he was moving the remaining documents to a secure location Friday afternoon. Nicosia has not yet looked at all the files. Last week he allowed The Times to photocopy 50 pages concerning the FBI's monitoring of Kerry in the fall of 1971. The author also supplied the same 50 photocopied pages to Kerry. The Times published a story about the files Monday.

< -snip- >

Nicosia said he left home Thursday and returned to find several doors inside his house ajar. He said he did not realize until Friday morning that there had been a theft. "The police told me that burglars very easily could have come in through a sliding door without signs of a forced entry," he said. He added that he had no idea why the thieves didn't take all 14 of the boxes. "My guess is that they were surprised during the act and didn't have time to take everything — maybe the dog next door barked," Nicosia said. He said that while the boxes had been tightly packed when released by the FBI, he saw signs that ones not previously opened had been riffled. Lovenguth said police were investigating the case as a burglary. "Our investigating is ongoing," he said. "We're waiting for the victim to tell us exactly what was missing so we know what we're looking for." "Whoever did this wanted to know something about John Kerry," Nicosia said. The author said that he promised at one point to deliver the files to Kerry so the senator could more fully review the information gathered about him. "But in the meantime, somebody got there first," Nicosia said.

[armymarinemom]

Stolen Files Found

John Kerry Computer

[VadeRetro]

It also has the side-effect of tossing just a tiny bit more paranoia into the Kerry camp.

Maybe.

Who knows who has what information now?

The person who has it.

[technomage]

Evidently the person(s) stealing these files either did not know they too could get a copy under the FOI act or they were concerned about going that route for some reason (like giving their name?) and decided to steal them.

Or, I guess one other possibility is a set up. Steal the files, blame the theft on Republicans. Of course, this possibility does not stand up either as anyone can get copies through the FOI act.

[mean lunch lady]

Re: John Kerry Compuer -- Good one, thanks for the laugh!!

[Sabertooth]

Flagging folks from last night's thread:

Author who uncovered
John Kerry surveillance files
reports some stolen
AP ^ | March 26th, 2004 | Ron Harris

Sorry for any duplicate pings.

[Sabertooth]

The files are not original with Nicosia. In theory, anyone could obtain them under the FOIA. What exactly does this crime accomplish except cover Nicosia's butt?

See my #10.

Files were taken that Nicosia never read, therefore he won't know if he's gotten them back from the FBI, whenever it is that he happens to get them back.

[GailA]

Don't suppose hanoi john had a hand in this do you?

[Sabertooth]

Anyway, there's not much to point to for supporting data, suddenly. The man with the files doesn't have the files.

Well, not all of the files were taken, and we don't know at this point if the files on the Kansas City meeting where Kerry debated the Senatorial assassination plot with other members of the VVAW.

In any case, there are VVAW eyewitnesses who have placed Kerry at the meeting.

[Mo1]

Nicosia said he left home Thursday and returned to find several doors inside his house ajar. He said he did not realize until Friday morning that there had been a theft. "The police told me that burglars very easily could have come in through a sliding door without signs of a forced entry," he said.

He comes home and the doors are open and he doesn't think anything of it??

These boxes are sitting in his kitchen and he didn't notice any missing till a day later?

Either this guy is a complete idiot or there is something more that he's not telling

[Mo1]

EXACTLY!!

[Sabertooth]

Author who uncovered John Kerry surveillance files reports some stolen
			Posted by Sabertooth On 03/26/2004 7:52:53 PM PST with 108 comments AP ^ | March 26th, 2004 | Ron Harris The man who uncovered evidence the FBI tailed presidential candidate John Kerry for months in 1971 said some of those files were stolen this week. Author Gerald Nicosia reported to police Friday that three of the 14 boxes of once-secret FBI files he obtained under the Freedom of Information Act were taken from his Corte Madera home. Particular files from the remaining 11 boxes were also taken, Nicosia said, including files containing documents about Kerry that hadn't been reviewed yet by others. "The three files folders about John Kerry were taken," Nicosia said. "Those revelations are lost now, at least...
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[onyx]

"Exactly" to you too.
Doug, you're fabulous.

[cyncooper]

The author said that he promised at one point to deliver the files to Kerry so the senator could more fully review the information gathered about him. "But in the meantime, somebody got there first," Nicosia said.

Sweet.

Is it me or does he not seem the least disturbed at the idea that someone was skulking around in his home. I'd be creeped out and not chirping about maybe someone wanted a piece of posterity like the Berlin Wall, for crying out loud.

This would lend itself more to the notion that he helpfully 'lost' the boxes so any nosy reporters who could nail down via records how many boxes of documents had been delivered to Nicosia and asked him, this is his way of explaining why 3 boxes are no longer in his possession.

My guess, the Kerry camp has them safe out of the reach of any other curious people and they know a new FOI request would take months if not years to fill and never be done before November.

[cyncooper]

We're on the same wavelength.

[Mo1]

Oh and the sliding door without signs of a forced entry theory? It's possible that could have happened but the other signs .. like open doors and missing boxes is a clue he should have noticed

Years ago, my mothers house was broken into. They guy came through the sliding doors. When I came down early in the morning to leave for work .. I noticed the doors were open .. A clue I noticed that something happened .. so I looked around and found the keys to my mothers car were missing ... along with the car.

So I go back .. either this guy is an idiot or there is something he's not telling

[Mo1]

My guess, the Kerry camp has them safe out of the reach of any other curious people and they know a new FOI request would take months if not years to fill and never be done before November.

That is what I'm thinking

[BARLF]

Must be a California thang.

[Yaelle]

So what do we still have on Kerry now? How much of the evidence needed to break open the VVAW assassination vote story was possibly in those files?

Why hasn't this story been more widely reported, even by conservatives? What is stopping people from going with this?

I don't know if this Nicosia was "told to leave his sliding door unlocked" and went to dinner, or what. Perhaps no one was even in his house. Perhaps no boxes were even touched, but he needed to "claim" that things were missing. His story sounds fishy for sure.

If Mister Senator was really in a room, voting on whether or not his predecessors could continue to inhale and exhale, the American people need to hear about it. NOW. How can we get them to?

[Yaelle]

Who wants to call KFWB?

Doug, I will be glad to. However, to what evidence do I point them to get a fuller picture of the story? I don't want to reinvent the wheel. If you could provide me with a talking point or two... LOL!

[cyncooper]

It's a big wet blanket on the Nov. 71 meeting story. It's like Nicosia was faking it all along, or got his price and made it look like he'd been faking it.

The story about the meeting was backed by several witnesses and had other sources. Nicosia's revelation that the FBI pegged Kerry in attendance is what had the Kerry camp finally admit he must have been there after all, but his memory about the event is hazy (he claims--I don't believe him).

At any rate, the story did not hinge on Nicosia.