Posted on 05/25/2006 8:51:55 AM PDT by Mr. Brightside
ABC News Says Hastert is Target in Abramoff Probe
Steve Marshall Reporting
KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO
WASHINGTON, DC (KNX) -- ABC News is standing behind its story that Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill) is "in the mix" in the FBI's investigation of Congressional corruption.
The Department of Justice has denied any probe of Hastert and the Speaker has branded the story "absolutely untrue," demanding a retraction from ABC News.
The news organization says sources in law enforcement told them that disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff has provided the FBI with information about Hastert and a number of other members of Congress.
"You guys wrote the story very carefully but they are not reading it very carefully," a senior official said.
Sources say one focus of the investigation is a letter Hastert wrote in 2003 urging the Secretary of the Interior to block an Indian casino that would have competed with those run by tribes represented by Abramoff.
The letter is dated within days after a Hastert fund-raiser was held at Abramoff's restaurant in Washington. At that event, more than $26 thousand was donated by Abramoff and his clients.
Hastert has denied any wrong-doing and claims to have a long history of opposing certain types of Indian casinos.
ABC’s law enforcement sources said the Justice Department denial was meant only to deny that Hastert was a formal "target" or "subject" of the investigation.
"Whether they like it or not, members of Congress, including Hastert, are under investigation," one federal official said.
A spokesman for Hastert said the office had received no subpoenas or requests for documents.
This is getting as comical as the Rove indictment non-story.
"WE REPORTED IT, NOW YOU DISPROVE IT!"
More fake but accurate news.
It's intended to imply something without committing to it.
The DUmp has been foaming at the mouth about this. Make sure and stock up on popcorn, as lots of entertainment is about to ensue...
Is "Truthout" writing for ABC now? Yes, on GMA this morning they announced it as if it were legitimate.
Tony Snow should break it off in ABC's arse this afternoon at the WH. Could go a long way towards fostering a little goodwill with House Republicans.
I'm wondering if the Administration has decided to use the leakers that have been crippling them up 'til now, and are feeding them false stories which are then passed to the press, and then are revealed as false to make the source untrustworthy to the press and embarrass the publications atr the same time.
ABC should change their name to "ABS".
Huh? I thought it was a technical legal phrase that meant a Republican was guilty and already sentenced to go to jail.
Dan Rather has to be proud.
ABC must've sent it's editors and producers to the "Rather&Mapes School of Drive By Journalism"
This is starting to sound more and more like Memogate...just keep digging in their heals until finally they're forced to cave. I'm convinced this is a big turd floated by some lefty to try to get attention away from William Jefferson and keep the corruption spotlight on the GOP. By the time it's all over and ABC is forced to fall on its sword, the Jefferson story will be dead news. Does anyone REALLY believe this "leak" just COINCIDENTALLY came the same week Jefferson was suddenly putting the corruption spotlight on the Democratic party?
And by the way, Harry Reid is PROVEN to have done what Hastert is accused of here and in spades in writing letters to scuttle Indian casinos on behalf of Abramoff. Yet where's the media?
"Is "Truthout" writing for ABC now? "
LOL! You beat me to it.
I wonder if this is 'selective questions' or 'selective reporting'...
did they ask whether Nanci Pelosi was 'in the mix'??
Would they have reported it if they were told that??
Who's the source, lets ask him!! OH WAIT, thats classified eh?
So ABC is going to do a "Rather".
Via Drudge:
Hastert Letter To ABCNEWS President Westin
David Westin
George Stephanopoulos
Brain Ross
ABC News
7 West 66th St.
New York, NY 10023
RE: False Story Regarding Justice Department Investigation
Dear Mr. Westin, Stephanopoulos, and Mr. Ross:
At 7:25 p.m., the Statement of the Department of Justice confirmed:
“Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department.”
At 10:21 p.m., you wrote:
“Whether they like it or not, members of Congress, including Hastert, are under investigation,” on federal official said tonight.”
This statement is false, and your republication of it after actual knowledge of its falsity constitutes libel and defamation. ABC News’ continued publication of this false information, after having actual knowledge of its falsity, evidences a specific and malicious intent to injure and damage Speaker Hastert’s reputation by continued repetition of a known falsehood.
We will take any and all actions necessary to rectify the harm ABC has caused and to hold those at ABC responsible for their conduct.
Please advise regarding who will accept service of process to remedy this international falsehood.
Very truly yours,
J. Randolph Evans
Stefan C. Passantino
Counsel to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert
(I think "international falsehood" is a typo and should be "intentional falsehood"
I thought Dan Rather had retired, but there they go again, making up the news as they go along!
No wonder they want to have BLOGS controlled, then no one would be available to hold the MSM accounatble.
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