That is another issue I haven't seen much addressed on. WHO warned the pages to avoid Foley? Who knew? I can't believe that in America, pages who are minors have to get secret warnings to avoid a congressman for sexual contact, and the leadership does nothing, except lie like Boehner did earlier? I have been yelling about Hastert mostly, but Boehner has now been proved to have lied, today within hours getting caught. Lying seems to be a sign of guilt. I think after they reflect this week-end, they will know they violated our trust, and most importantly the trust of the kids who serve our country as pages.
At least one article tonight mentioned that they were told by an intern or interns.
I found that very disconcerting.
From the ABC story:
Rep. Rodney Alexander, R-La., who sponsored the page from his district, told reporters that he learned of the e-mails from a reporter some months ago and passed on the information to Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-N.Y., chairman of the House Republican campaign organization.
Alexander said he did not pursue the matter further because "his parents said they didn't want me to do anything."
Carl Forti, a spokesman for the GOP campaign organization, said Reynolds learned from Alexander that the parents did not want to pursue the matter. Forti said, however, that the matter did go before the House Page Board the three lawmakers and two House officials who oversee the pages.
Shimkus, who avoided reporters for hours, worked out his statement with Speaker Dennis Hastert's office. He said he promptly investigated what he thought were non-explicit message exchanges.
"It has become clear to me today, based on information I only now have learned, that Congressman Foley was not honest about his conduct," Shimkus said.
Shimkus said that in late 2005 he learned through information passed along by Alexander's office about an e-mail exchange that August in which Foley asked about the youngster's well-being after Hurricane Katrina and what he wanted for his birthday and requested a photograph.
"Congressman Foley told the (House) clerk and me that he was simply acting as a mentor … and that nothing inappropriate had occurred," Shimkus said.
Foley was ordered to cease all contact with the former page and assured Shimkus he would do so, the statement said. He also was advised to watch his conduct with current and former House pages, and he gave assurance he would do so, Shimkus said. He added that here were no further complaints.
+++Why would the GOP 'organization' be notified?