Feds Planted Bug In Philly Mayor's Office

NBC News ^ | October 8, 2003

[mrobison]

NBC News: Feds Planted Bug In Street's Office

Mayor Says Bug Part Of Political Attack

NBC News has confirmed that it was federal investigators who placed an electronic device in Philadelphia mayor's John Street office.

NBC News correspondent Pete Williams said that several sources confirmed to him that the device was placed in the office by the U.S. government.

However, a law enforcement official cautioned that the presence of the bug there does not necessarily mean that the mayor, himself, is under investigation. Officials confirmed to NBC News it was put in place by federal investigators, though they won't say specifically whether it was the work of the FBI or another agency.

Williams said it was unclear if the surveillance was directly related to two ongoing federal investigations in Philadelphia.

One current investigation involves a no-bid, $1 million-a-year airport-services contract between the Street administration and a company owned by the mayor's brother, Milton Street.

[Sub-Driver]

Here the story unravels......

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/100803_nw_fbibug.html

FBI Responsible for Office Bug

October 8, 2003 — Three federal law enforcement officials, who asked to remain anonymous, have confirmed that the bugging device found Tuesday in Mayor John Street's office, was in fact placed there by the FBI.

The question that everyone wants answered, is Mayor Street either directly or indirectly being investigated by the FBI.

Action News has learned that the FBI has targeted associates and a major supporter of the mayor as part of an ongoing investigation. We have learned, that's part of the reason the FBI planted devices in the mayors office. One of the targets is a highly respected religious leader in the Muslim community.

Action News has learned FBI raided Imam Sadeen Ali, a highly respected leader major supporter.

Ali and his wife operate Sister Clara Muhammed School, embroiled in controversy. Agents seized bank records and other documents. The Ali's are just one target among people who have met with mayor in his office. As part of the probe, FBI planted sophisticated listening devices. Street today continued to defend his reputation.

Although feds have not told him so, the mayor believes he's not the target. Also believes it may be politically motivated, timing 4 weeks before election. Campaign spokesman goes further, suggesting republican run justice department doing this for political reasons.

Governor Rendell, in town today, says FBI needs to come clean. Sam Katz agrees the FBI needs to clear the record.

[RatSlayer]

"...the mayor believes he's not the target."

Yeah, I'm sure that some democrat judge issued an order to allow a democrat politician's office to be bugged when he is not the target of the investigation.

[StriperSniper]

It'll really reveal alot about Street if he checks his office electronically for bugs.

Yup, especially if the ABC Radio News report was accurate that they were discovered in a "regular sweep".

[archy]

The question that everyone wants answered, is Mayor Street either directly or indirectly being investigated by the FBI.

No, Mayor Street, you're not being investigated by us. But have you seen anything, er, *unusual* recently...

[archy]

FBI Responsible for Office Bug October 8, 2003 — Three federal law enforcement officials, who asked to remain anonymous, have confirmed that the bugging device found Tuesday in Mayor John Street's office, was in fact placed there by the FBI.

[browardchad]

Imam Sadeen Ali, a highly respected leader major supporter

Aren't they all?

[LenS]

On the local WB station's 10 O'Clock News, it was pointed out that the FBI launched several searches today around the city. They searched the offices of Keystone Information and Financial Services plus the Cheltenham home of the firm's VP -- Iman Shamsud-din Ali. Mr. Ali is the the founder and religious leader of the Philadelphia Masjid, one of the largest and most influential black mosques in the Philadelphia area. He's already being investigated for alleged fraud at an Islamic school he runs.

Maybe it's just corruption since Keystone got a no bid contract from the city. Similar to the contract that Mayor Street's brother got at the Airport from the city.

But I do wonder if perhaps there's more and maybe these no bid contracts have a connection.

[LenS]

FBI agents raid business, home of Street friend

[Lancey Howard]

Don't the feds have any bugs that can successfully be concealed?

How did Street find the bug?
Did he have his office "swept", and if so, why?

[Once-Ler]

What I'm not for is Asscroft's sudden love of warrantless searches, declaring American citizens on American soil 'enemy combatants' so that they can be denied all rights, and holding people indefinitely without charges.

What I'm not for is tying the hands of Ashcroft so early in the War on Terrorism/Islam. These are people who are charged with preventing another 9-11.

I only hope when they come for the Asst Managers there is still someoneone left to speak out for me.

Then they came for the fry cooks
and I did not speak out
because I was not a fry cook.

[Lancey Howard]

They rebuilt those blocks of rowhomes on Osage and Pine in the '80s at about $125,000 apiece, about three times as much as they would have cost to build if there was no corruption involved in the contracts to "connected" union contractors, etc. This is in a West Philly neighborhood where typical home prices at the time were closer to $20,000, if that. Nowadays, the neighborhood is in the $35K to $50K range.

You should see them now. Lots of board-ups. I go by there all the time.

[Dog]

Did he have his office "swept", and if so, why? Good Question.......why is Street having his office swept.

[Dog]

See post 67.....something we need to keep an eye on...

[Miss Marple]

Excellent question! Why DID he have his office swept? The Mayor of Indianapolis doesn't do stuff like this.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Is this Howard Dean in disguise?

[ffusco]

A hair hat?

[Gore_ War_ Vet]

I get it!

The mayor is a .... er, a, er, he's black,

Hey! The mayor of Philly is black.

Pass it on.

[SauronOfMordor]

Class II devices are restricted to government usage. As a rule of thumb private firms are not suppose to aknowledge finding these types of devices. Unless of course they are found visually during an inspection.

Street's office is swept by the Philly Police Dept's Internal Affairs Dept. As such, they know about Class II devices, and are not bound by rules that affect private firms

[MissAmericanPie]

Awww, you mean Katie Cloric racist ranting was wrong? Three strikes and your out Kate.