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
That's pretty standard for Dems to out gay Republicans. Last year or so they did it to Jeff Gannon, the White House Press Corps reporter who dared ask a single conservative question.
Last month they did it to the 18 year old (now 21) adult who was IM'ing Foley (and subject of this thread).
Dems out gays. It's what they do.
What did Istook do?
Hmmmm? I wonder if we could use this as some kind of bait? I've always thought that they should be culled every 10 years or so.
I think the working theory is that Edmund is a mole and has helped orchestrate the outing of Foley and the release of a LOT of misinformation/disinformation about it.
Istook was doomed before but now he is really doomed. I am with you, he should step aside and let Sullivan run. Bob couldn't get traction because of that stupid 11th Commandment crap and some of the OK County Chairs going after him. I wasn't happy with their letter paid for by the Istook campaign and I am really not happy now!
This should be breaking news, but not a word anywhere...tomorrow the talk shows at least the conservative one will be talking this up all day long!!! Wonder if this will make headlines on either coast???
I read the blogs, too.
He allegedly blackmailed government officials.
I'd get a high-powered attorney, as well.
Chip Englander must be Edmund's boyfriend - the one with no experience who followed him to OK from San Diego.
Can't wait to see what the National Enquirer holds next week.
Most interesting.
Jones was McVeigh's attorney -- big time defense attorney. I have read the blogs and have no idea why he needs an attorney either.
Would you consider making a composite of your posts including
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=213#213
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=307#307
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=313#313
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=317#317
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=333#333
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=335#335
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=342#342
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=370#370
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=375#375
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1713755/posts?page=377#377
etc. ???
Please?
GREAT STUFF !!!!
Stick a fork in this scandal: it's done.
Blowback and payback to follow.
Maybe Friday.
As I recall, the Mapes Memos story broken by Buckhead, Howlin and others took three-four days to reach critical mass.
I'll do it. Standby.
I wonder if it will be revealed that this "victim" has ties to some prominent Dems...
I almost didn't vote for Istook in the last Congressional race, but the Dem was an even worse nit, and I had to vote for him. At least if Brad gets elected again he might work with a majority repulican Congress. We'll See. Kind of makes you wish we had a vialble third party doesn't it?
maybe we should get some of what is on the other site to little green footballs and any other blog site that would run with this??? Every TV site and newspaper site!
So it would make sense if this was an elaborate dirty trick or set up for the perp to get hired by a Republican so he claim that he is impartial
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