Posted on 10/04/2006 8:39:44 PM PDT by PhiKapMom
A former U.S. House page working on the gubernatorial campaign of Republican Rep. Ernest Istook may be a part of the scandal involving former Congressman Mark Foley, The Oklahoman has learned.
The former page, a Californian named Jordan Edmund, on Wednesday hired Enid attorney Stephen Jones to represent him, the attorney confirmed.
Jones would not say exactly why he was hired, but did say, “I understand the FBI and the House Ethics committee have an interest in the matter ... the allegations concerning Congressman Foley which have surfaced.”
Foley, a Republican from Florida, resigned abruptly on Friday after it was learned that he exchanged sexually explicit e-mails with former pages. The FBI is investigating.
Istook’s campaign manager, Chip Englander, who is also from California, declined comment Wednesday to an Oklahoman reporter.
However, Englander gave The Oklahoman a statement that was attributed to Istook.
The statement says, “The sad and sick behavior of Mark Foley was a total surprise to me when it was revealed. Law enforcement is doing its job, and I support that effort. Now we should all support and protect the victims, and they should not be hounded by the press.
“It was a complete surprise to learn this morning that one victim may be someone I know. Each one of the victims deserves their privacy. To every reporter I request, please have the decency to avoid making things worse for the victims, and just leave them alone. This happened years ago when the victims were minors.”
Reached at his home, Istook referred to the prepared statement.
Edmund’s name surfaced on Internet “blogs” that linked him to the instant message address used in communications with Foley.
One blogger got the instant message address from the Web site of ABC News, which has obtained the instant messages sent between Foley and a former page.
In the sequence of messages identified by the blogger, Foley tells the person to “strip down and get relaxed.”
It is not clear whether Foley’s other instant messages, including one in which he apparently conducted “instant message” sex with a person, were all to the same person.
Asked why Edmund needed an attorney, Jones said, “You read the blogs. You know why he needs an attorney.”
Jones, who represented Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh in his murder trial in Denver, confirmed Edmund was a U.S. House page.
“I’ve been retained in the last several hours,” Jones said. “I’m still reviewing matters.”
Jones said the two met Wednesday in Oklahoma City.
Edmund had an Internet page on the popular MySpace Web site.
On that page, he identified himself as being 21 years old and said he had been attending college at the University of California at Berkeley. He said he was going to Oklahoma to be deputy campaign manager for Istook’s gubernatorial effort, the Web site stated.
Edmund registered to vote in Oklahoma in March, records show.
The House Ethics Committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door meeting this morning about the Foley matter.
Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore, one of the 10 members of the committee, flew back to Washington on Wednesday for what he called an “emergency meeting.”
He said the committee today would not hear from witnesses but would set the parameters of the investigation.
Contributing: Staff Writers Joe Wertz, Bryan Dean, Jennifer Mock and Ryan McNeill
Copyright 2006
Maybe he's figured out the Dems are going to throw him to the wind now that he is exposed (excuse the pun).
I put nothing past ANY RAT. Let's look at the fact that RATS have long term strategies. Maybe they planted narcs in campaigns and on the Hill to out GOP congress citters. This "victim" is probably a plant for hire.
Maybe you could provide a REAL link?
You have done this before, linking to the main page.
Why not link to the page you are talking about!
I predict one or more computers will be subpoenaed by the FBI
That's what I've been thinking.
You wake them! PJ had a DUFU that said one of them bought a gun! kitty is skkkeeeerrrrreeeeedddddd!
They have hold a meeting tomorrow ???
Hmmmm
I linked it once already in this thread and not about to advertise a left wing republican gay bashing site again (if indeed it is real). If you cant find the direct link which I already posted just go to USENET and you will find it
Okay, not saying that's not the case, but he's a defense lawyer.
Trust me, defense lawyers like money whatever way they can get it. (I've known many a lawyer, and once worked for the State Appellate Defender's office in my youth).
But a criminal defense lawyer wouldn't usually be the one to hire for that...
Foley hitting on a 21 year old man is wishful thinking at worst. Shocked that he found an adult attractive.
No way...if this were July 2007, maybe. But 5 weeks from election day? I sincerely doubt that even my fellow Republicans are that dumb.
What's more, this Istook isn't too bright...WTF???
But a criminal defense lawyer wouldn't usually be the one to hire for that...
Yeah, but a big name lawyer from the state the kid lives in now, would be the one to hire. And Steve Jones likes money as well as any other shark, er, lawyer. I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Jones didn't contact the kid first himself, smelling a bunch of $ in the offing.
I certainly hope so and the sooner the better!
Sorry I left you off the pings!
Thanks much!
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