Hastert Letter To ABC NEWS President Westin (Let the Lawsuits Begin!)

Drudge Report ^ | 05/25/06

[MikeA]

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

[MikeA]

I can't wait for this legal fight!

This is starting to sound more and more like Memogate...just keep digging in their heels until finally they're forced to cave. I'm convinced this is a big fat turd floated by some Democratic operative 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?

[mware]

I a a litle ticked off with Hastart but this action is WAY over due.

[ladtx]

Popcorn time.

[bigeasy_70118]

Anyone can threat a lawsuit. Let's see him file it.

But I agree, it's about time someone showed some backbone.

[mware]

sorry about that post. It should read, "I am a little ticked off with Hastert, but this is WAY over due.

[Pox]

Of course it is the MSM attempting to take the spotlight off of Jefferson.

I would like to see Hastert sue them for libel to the tune of $500 Billion! Put those pricks down for good!

[Petronski]

Please advise regarding who will accept service of process to remedy this international falsehood.

Sweeeeet!

[Ouderkirk]

ABC(All Bill Clinton)News is as disgusting as SeeBS News, The Clinton News Netowrk, and NBC(Nothing But Clinton) News.

Sue their asses off

[mysterio]

If he files it, he's probably not under investigation or doesn't think he is. That would open up a lot to discovery, wouldn't it?

If he threatens and doesn't actually file when they don't pull the story, that says something, too.

[MikeA]

I agree. I was so ticked at his jumping on board to help the Dems. and to attack the FBI by claiming the search of Jefferson's office was unconstitutional. This smacks of congressional arrogance.

But I hate journalistic hubris and bias even more and am loving seeing ABC News about to get the same humiliating smack-down CBS got before the 2004 election. Funny how the news media just LOVES to slander Republican candidates right before an election. But in the end it rebounds against them and convinces more and more people not to believe a word they utter.

[TSchmereL]

I am so confused.

I heard Hastert defending William Jefferson and I puked all over my shoes.

Is Hastert a conservative Republican? I thought he was but maybe I was wrong.

I need to listen to Rush and see if he can explain what Hastert is doing.

[ZGuy]

"international falsehood"???

Did they mean "intentional falsehood"?

[tobyhill]

Now that I read this more carefully Hastert has a case because they went back from their original statement of just "in the mix" to he is actually being investigated which 2 DOJ officers confirmed he is not.

[roses of sharon]

LOL, Newt admittedly started this lame "power" arguments when the emailed Hastert and Frist to show their outrage.

The right has always tried to please its enemies, will they learn that their greatest enemy is the MSM/DNC party?

[Obadiah]

The slimy MSM does it again. They ran with some flimsy tip from an anonomous partisan hack, just like Dan Rather. I hope Hastert files and takes ABC to the cleaners!

[mware]

It could be international. I suspect some people from oversea's listen to them.

[Christian4Bush]

Rush is reading this now on his show.

[Obadiah]

I think there is a strong likelihood in your post.

[Just A Nobody]

Rush JUST read this on air!

[MikeA]

I don't think Hastert was defending Jefferson so much as he was misinterpreting constitutional protections for the legislative branch against executive branch encroachment. Clearly the constitution states an exception for felonious behavior and accepting bribes is most assuredly a felony.

No, it's not that Hastert isn't a conservative. It's that he's caught up in Congress's imperious mindset right now.