House Dems ask DOJ InspectorGen to investigate Ashcroft role in Plame case

[johnfunk]

Breaking from Murray Waas

Exclusive: House Democrats ask Justice Inspector General to investigate Ashcroft role in Plame probe
Tuesday, August 16, 2005

The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, Congressman John Conyers, of Michigan, and Congressman Maurice Hinchey, Democrat of New York, will tomorrow formally request that the Inspector General of the Justice Department, Glenn A. Fine, investigate whether then-Attorney General John D. Ashcroft "violated explicit rules on conflicts of interest when he failed to recuse himself from, and in fact was briefed on, the CIA name leak investigation despite his personal connection to Karl Rove, a person of interest to investigators."

The letter to the Justice Department's Inspector General quotes new information in this story which I wrote, and that was posted yesterday on the Village Voice, disclosing new information regardingthis story I Ashcroft's role in overseeing the Plame probe, before it was taken over by special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald.

More...

Waas broke the initial details of this story at The Village Voice over the weekend.

NOTE TO MODS: Murray has a habit of breaking stories -- or providing additional details -- at Whatever Already. Yes, I know it isn't the New York Times -- but then, how much of the important Plamegate stuff have they broken?

[uppityperson]

1. Good. Keep pressing for answers. nt

[cal04]

2. John Conyers blog

More Trails Lead to Rove; Aschroft's Involvement Again Comes into Question
Latest on Detainee Abuse Photos

Those who read the American Prospect or the Village Voice, know that as of late Murray Waas has had the most up to date information on treasongate. Last week, in the American Prospect, Murray disclosed that Rove had met with Judith Miller shortly before Valerie Plame was outed as a CIA Agent, and that the princiipal reason Miller has not cooperated with Fitzgerald is that Scooter Libby had never given a specific privelege waiver to her (which I of course asked him to do -- no response as of yet).

This week, in the Village Voice, Waas revealed that the reason Ashcroft ultimately was forced to permit the appointment of a special prosecutor was because of concerns that Rove may have misled FBI investigators regarding his role in the matter. The problem is, because of his personal and political relationships with Rove, Ashcroft should have recused himself when he first learned about Rove's involvement. He also should not have allowed himself to be privately briefed on Rove's involvement. Because of these concerns, I plan to ask the Department's Office of Inspector General to investigate whether Ashcroft violated applicable recusal and conflict of interest rules and guidelines. (I previously asked them to investigate the delay in the Department's investigation and the advance notice given to the White House). I hope to have more on this tomorrow.

While I am discussing treasongate, I am happy to report that more than 3500 individuals have joined with me in asking the president not to pardon Karl Rove, should he eventually be indicted. Let me also remind readers that Louise Slaughter is still gathering signatures in her effort to ask the president to give Rove a Pink Slip. Both are important and worthwhile efforts.

Finally, Rawstory has a story on the governnment's sad efforts to prevent not only the release of detainee abuse photos, but to prevent any public scrutiny of their arguments. As I explain in the article, it is "truly Kafkaesque to envision a government which does not even permit its legal arguments to be disclosed for publlic scrutiny. This not only violates the Freedom of Information Act, it turns the Act on its head."

http://www.conyersblog.us/

[ninkasi]

3. Thanks for posting...

The stench of this whole administration is probably reaching other solar systems by now, that's how corrupt it is. I'm pretty sure I've seen The Village Voice as a source of LBN before. Nominated, because Conyers is kicking ass again. I'll bet he wishes a few more of his fellow Dems would join him.

[lovuian]

4. He is another one to be indicted!!! This is the man who

covered Justice up!!! What a OMEN that one was!!!

[Benhurst]

5. Thanks. Nominated (recommended). NT

[cascadiance]

6. Read this link on Usenet... Cheney might be indicted!

It's hard to get too excited about this news yet as the source leaves a lot to have one question it's validity yet, but if what it says is true, we're in for a major coverup/set of indictments!

It also sounds like some criminal acts are being alleged here that were being attempted to cover up things (like British agents attempting to off Fitzgerald with a bomb in the subway under the Dirksen Federal Building!)

I'll keep it in the back of my files to check back with if I see other stories that validate them. This one validates that Ashcroft is under suspicion (which is one of those mentioned here that are likely to be under indictment...

Go to this post from earlier this morning:

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.politics.bush/browse_frm/thread/584ccdfe6761e33/5c0778ae45d32f76?lnk=st&rnum=4&hl=en#5c0778ae45d32f76

Here is the quote attributed to stock broker Tom Heneghen on who else is under indictment.

"Sources close to the jury probe have allegedly told Heneghen a host of administration figures under Bush have been indicted, including Vice President Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Cheney Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, imprisoned New York Times reporter Judith Miller and former Cheney advisor Mary Matalin. Heneghen also allegedly told sources White House advisor Karl Rove was indicted for perjury in a major document shredding operation cover-up.

If such information regarding these indictments is correct, the fact that the it has not made the media that the President and the Vice president have been subpoenaed to appear before a federal jury indicates there is a major cover up in operation."

[johnfunk]

7. Kick! So, Johnny Asscrack, what were you REALLY up to??

Patriotic, Constitution-loving Americans want to know.