Posted on 11/12/2005 5:36:17 PM PST by wagglebee
A three-judge panel overseeing Independent Counsel David Barrett's investigation into abuses by the Internal Revenue Service under the Clinton administration has ordered Barrett to make "discrete deletions" is the draft he submitted 15 months ago.
The deletion order "has stoked speculation that [it] has more to do with the next presidential campaign," reports the Wall Street Journal, noting widespread rumors that "the draft report contains information potentially embarrassing to another Clinton administration figure, former first lady and current New York Sen. Hillary Clinton."
"The one Clinton official rumored to be implicated in the report is former IRS Commissioner Margaret Richardson, a friend of the former first lady," the paper said.
The Clintons' lawfirm Williams & Connolly has reportedly filed numerous motions with the court in a bid to trim the report and stall its publication.
According to the Journal: "The judges agreed with [individuals named in the report] that some deletions were needed 'to protect extremely confidential information.' They also told Mr. Barrett to omit one section before publishing the report, but to include that material with the report to congressional leaders of both parties."
The section at issue is said to cover "investigations of alleged obstructions of justice and tax-related matters."
In 1997, then Commissioner Richardson denied allegations that her agency had targeted Clinton scandal witnesses and administration critics, despite ample evidence of selective scrutiny.
Clinton accusers Bill Dale, Gennifer Flowers, Elizabeth Ward Gracen and Juanita Broaddrick were all audited during the 1990s. Paula Jones, whose sexual harassment lawsuit led to Mr. Clinton's impeachment, was both audited and had her confidential tax returns leaked to the media.
Adding to the appearance of a massive abuse of power, conservative organizations like the National Rifle Association, the Heritage Foundation, and the Freedom Alliance were also slapped with audits during the Clinton years.
Reports last April on the Barrett investigation said his report zeroed in on Richardson's involvement. But a source familiar with the prosecutor's unedited draft told the Journal she isn't mentioned by name.
The paper said that congressional Republicans cried foul earlier this week over the plan to censor Barrett's report, proposing an amendment to an annual spending bill to release it without any deletions.
For his part, Mr. Barrett will only say: "When, and if, the report becomes known, people will understand more than they do now."
Here we go again.
Very good question.
These people are truly disgusting. How do they manage to taint every institution they come in contact with?
Yep, the Klintoon cover up continues. Of couse the MSM will give them another pass.
Who are the judges on this three-judge panel?
Sounds like Laura Bush should run in the next election, I'd love to see the Bushs in office from '08-'16, then the daughters could run also from '16-'XX, imagine the Bush Twins running the country !
Their names are, "Sold out" "Bought" and "Paid For"
Tax evasion. Lemme guess - private life - right?
why does a 3 judge panel oversee this special prosecutor, but Fitzgerald is free to hold a press conference where he trashes Scooter Libby with allegations about how "national security was comprimised" on a charge for which he was not indicted, and for which no crime or "outing" even occurred, but Fitzgerald faces no oversight for that?
leak the damn thing, leak the un-edited report that the judges are trying to suppress.
Sounds like it's time for a class action "Freedom of Information Act" suit.
Any members of the "1% of the Legal Profession" (Honest and Trustworthy) out there?
I believe Bill OReilly was also audited - he would be interested in this story.
Unless I'm losing it, that was several months ago when the Rats tried to slip in that language in the middle of the night, not "last week".
Yet DeLay, Rove and others get indited or charged..
WHATS GOING ON AROUND HERE...
Our very own Kofi Annan.
Never, and you know it as well as I. They conned Hans Brinker out of his "Silver Skates" many moons ago.
They are totally bulletproof, and poor Doug From Upland and Mia T are going to continue to go bonkers - their great efforts bearing nada, zip, nary-a-nary.
what is going on is the the republicans have not figured out, or do not want to, use the parts of the legal system we control to pursue the Dems - but the Dems are more then happy to do it in the other direction.
You know, the Clintons problem is and was that they believed the Hollywood version of the Presidency. They watched too many movies and thought that President's actually do this stuff..."suicide" potential leaks, sell national secrets for campaign donations, audit poliical enemies, bang intern in the Oval office, fire anyone for any reason, etc. The came to Washington and they thought the Hollywood version was what they got to do...and it was fun! fun! fun! All the things they accuse Reps of doing through Hollywood and hte Media they were doing.
Clinton is a failure to everyone but hollywood and the media because he was good at soundbites and drama. He left the leadership of the country to the Media and the Dem elites. Whatever they wanted, they could make Bill do. All they had to do was plant a story, do a poll, create a "buzz" and next thing you know it's policy. Hence the media and hollywood love any leader who doesn't lead - which explains their hatred for Bush.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.