[cyncooper]

There is zero evidence that the "Bush administration" disclosed the Berger affair. Many of us at the time figured it was a matter of the dems/clintoninstas leaking it in order to make that accusation and also be able to claim later it was "old news".

Berger is cooperating and I would think if he doesn't (continue?) it will affect this deal.

[cyncooper]

I wonder how they got him to admit to the level of detail of using scissors to destroy some documents?

I find that fascinating.

[rocksblues]

Wow I bet his penalty really hurt.

[Shermy]

The Washington Post article is the best, I think.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/washpost/20050401/ts_washpost/a16706_2005mar31


"...The Berger associate authorized to speak with reporters described the chronology the former national security chief gave to the Justice Department in his negotiations with the Justice Department. On Sept. 2, 2003, the associate said, Berger put a copy of the Clarke report in his suit jacket. He did not put it in his socks or underwear, as was alleged by some Republicans last summer. On Oct. 2, 2003, he again spent hours at the archives and took four more versions of the document. Back in his office, he studied them in detail, realized they were largely identical, and took the scissors to three of the copies, the associate said...."

Let me repeat:

"...Back in his office, he studied them in detail, realized they were largely identical, and took the scissors to three of the copies, the associate said...."

"largely idenitical"

Which means the were NOT identical. That's the reality and how the memos should be described.

Additionally, if Berger's motive was save the government the burden of file copies or whatever, he would have chopped up not 3 but 4 of the 5 papers.

[Drango]

Berger would serve no jail time but pay a $10,000 fine, surrender his security clearance for three years and cooperate with investigators.

And to make it double, extra harsh...no TV for a week.

[Shermy]

"There is zero evidence that the "Bush administration" disclosed the Berger affair."

It's ridiculous. Bush supporters would have leaked the info much later - and certainly after Berger gave his DNC speech.

Demo damage control.

[Maceman]

under a plea agreement that still must be approved by Robinson, Berger would serve no jail time but pay a $10,000 fine, surrender his security clearance for three years and cooperate with investigators.

Perhaps he got off so lightly because "cooperating with investigators" will include ratting out the Clinton cabal.

Nah. Probably not.

[cyncooper]

Ping to an article about the plea being entered.

[Shermy]

"...The Berger associate authorized to speak with reporters described the chronology the former national security chief gave to the Justice Department in his negotiations with the Justice Department. On Sept. 2, 2003, the associate said, Berger put a copy of the Clarke report in his suit jacket. He did not put it in his socks or underwear, as was alleged by some Republicans last summer. On Oct. 2, 2003, he again spent hours at the archives and took four more versions of the document. Back in his office, he studied them in detail, realized they were largely identical, and took the scissors to three of the copies, the associate said...."

Another reason Berger's spokesman is slick - see how he puts the "socks" issue on the first document, but doesn't state how the later documents were pilfered.

That's very confident. Part of the agreement must be that the govt. won't talk and Berger gets to spin the story without contradiction.

Final point: Scissors? Wouldn't a former intelligence official have a shredder? Sheesh.

[RJL]

Berger only had copies of documents; all of the originals remain in the government's possession, Hillman said.

Anyone buying this? I can't believe the SamBurgler would risk a year in jail and $100,000 fine to destroy copies.

[AmishDude]

When this was first discovered, wasn't there another huge story that took him out of the headlines?

[what's up]

What about the socks?

[MamaLucci]

Berger only had copies of documents; all of the originals remain in the government's possession, Hillman said.

That's news to me.

[Political Junkie Too]

Berger would serve no jail time but pay a $10,000 fine, surrender his security clearance for three years and cooperate with investigators.

Does he also lose his right to vote for Hillary! for president?

-PJ

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

Take away his access to classified documents for three years!?! This self-serving jerk should never again be let anywhere near a classified document.

[kellynla]

Talk about a "sweetheart deal"

Well, the Clintoons got the FBI files on Congressmen and copied the files; so they and their klan have a J.Edgar Hoover insurance policy ad infinitum...

George Soros & Company will take care of Fat Sandy as long as he takes the hit and keeps his mouth shut...

"oh your honor, it was my idea and no one else's"
yea...right

[Peach]

No jail time.

$10,000 fine (small change to Berger)

3 years he loses his security clearance? Should be permanent.

I am rather doubtful that his cooperation will result in another arrest. We all know he did this for Clinton and his legacy and Sandy's legacy as well.

No way Clinton is going down for this. The Bush administration stopped all investigations into Clinton wrong doings when he took office.

I'd love to be proven wrong, but I just don't see his cooperation as netting us anything except what we already knew: Clinton is a crook and letting him near anything related to national security was a serious mistake for which we will pay for years.

[Fudd Fan]

A little song
A little dance
A couple of documents stuffed down the pants

[Solamente]

If anybody else so much as walked out with a paperclip, they'd do 20 years. I'm mad as hell about this.

[The Drowning Witch]

I thought Sen Mitch McConnell had the best line on this whole affair:

""He had PDB's in his BVD's, and classified docs in his socks." "

[ViLaLuz]

Why is this crime only a misdemeanor? Common sense dictates a felony, at least.