Legally speaking, what crimes were committed in the fake reporter scandal?

[mopaul]

i am ignorant on this, but aren't there some actual, prosecutable crimes here?

isn't this technically what you call a CONSPIRACY?

can these subversive acts be constitutionally criminal, and possibly
TREASONOUS? can anything concrete be pinned on the man playing the president?

please correct me if i'm wrong, i have been before.

[dandrhesse]

1. I would also like to know this information

along with all the others crimes that have been committed by the bush administration. Specific with US Code references. We need to write to Republican Senators and DOJ and start asking them, how many crimes will they let slide before any action is taken.

[H2O Man]

2. It depends

on a number of factors.It is not clear exactly what role he may have played in two cases that should definitely be investigated: the Plame case, and the case with Rather & CBS. In the first, he may have been involved in a coordinated effort to "cover up" the criminal actions of White House officials; in the second, it is possible that he was involved at some level with the "planting" of forged documents.

It would be interesting to find out more about his past history. In truth, the general public only knows what Gannon himself posted on web-sites. I think the questions should include where he graduated high school; possible military service/college education; employment from 1975-2004; residential patterns; family/SO relationships.

The fact that this scandal has been going on this long, and no one has documented who he is -- beyond some possibly bullshit web-sites -- makes me think he might have talents in covering up who he actually is. The media seems capable of finding out the personal history of most Americans.

[murielm99]

3. My son and I discussed that last night.

Where does he live? Is he married? Why do we know nothing, beyond what we saw on the websites?

He claims he was followed and harassed on the way to church. By whom? Who knows how to find him and harass him?

[H2O Man]

5. I suspect that

the answer to this is found in a quote from the former chief of counterintelligence for the CIA, James J. Angleton: "In the field of intelligence, a legend is an operational plan for a cover, or a cover itself, depending on the mission." In other words, it is a fake biography to keep people unaware of who a person actually is.

When we look at the areas of interest that involve Mr. Gannon, they include senatorial elections, the CBS/Rather document controversy, and at least the cover-up of the Plame scandal.

When we look at who the top republicans use to protect their interests and to further their goals, there seems to be more of a reliance upon retired military folks than common prostitutes. The Swift Boat Liars, the "private" military contractors in Iraq, and other examples indicate a pattern.

I think Mr. Gannon fits a pattern, and it sure isn't that of a common prostitute.

[notadmblnd]

4. solicitation and prostitution

are two that pop in my mind. If GannonGuckert had been a common streetwalker, he'd be in jail already.

[radfringe]

8. if GannonGuckert had been a common streetwalker

addendum to your comment:

if GannonGuckert had been a common streetwalker and a Dem and wearing a blue dress....he'd be in jail already.

[Catchawave]

6. WH security breach?

I mean where did this guy come from? Why was he provided credentials when legimate journalists can't get them?

Him being a professional prostitute (by virtue he sold himself on the 'net), blackmail comes to mind.

I'm not at all bothered that he may be gay or isn't a "real" journalist, just that the real stink of this guy's presence in MY WHITE HOUSE smells so Rovian.

And how did he get away with it for two years worth of day passes?

So many dots to connect, huh?

[mopaul]

7. blackmail? state secrets? hell, he could've been an assassin

apparently any fucking maniac can walk in there and be within a few feet of the president

[Catchawave]

11. Exactly.....

...so the WH team most certainly knows "who" he is then? I don't buy it that they're playing stupid!

[kohodog]

12. I'm sure it wasn't a security breach in Scotty's eyes.

This reaks of him being an insider, recommended by party operatives. Or as H2O speculates he may be a deeper plant (CIA), or perhaps part of a new group of "Plumbers." My own speculation is that there are a number of these types in various positions of influence within the mainstream media. It is commonly accep[ted that the CIA has had operatives in the Press for years. Bushco has developed it's own clandestine network (OSP), and I wouldn't doubt that they have moles in the media too. And I'm not talking about Fox.

[DoYouEverWonder]

9. Campaign finance and election laws

may have been violated. Since GOPUSA is mainly an outlet for promoting the Bush message, could their services be consider an unreported campaign contribution.

Also, I believe there are laws that make it illegal for the WH to diseminate propaganda. That was certainly one of Gannon's main purposes.

There are also other issues regarding Gannon's income and the IRS. Who paid him and how much and what services were rendered? Did he report all of his income, especially from his 'escort' service?

[theorist]

10. Don't forget copyright infringement.

What they've published goes well beyond the scope of the Fair Use Doctrine. Have you noticed that Talon hasn't put any new news stories up since Feb. 17?

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. I knew I was forgetting a big one

Yes, copyright infringements are another area to look into. Especially, since Free Republic already lost a lawsuit for the same thing.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Blue_Roses]

15. I find that very hard to believe

..."there is nothing to prosecute Gannon on so far. He'd have to be caught in the act and no one thinks that'll happen."

If we had to wait on everyone to be "caught in the act" we would never have any prosecutions. There's alot to prosecute on, starting with tax evasion, prostitution, and the most important which hasn't been addressed by the WH --security breech--of course since they seem to have been a part of this we won't hear anything. Any other president's administration would be screaming to the top of their lungs, but since it's obvious by their silence, they knew who he was.

[merh]

16. How about tax evasion of not paying taxes on the revenues

he made? :shrug:

[Stop_the_War]

17. Prostitution and Plagiarism