TPM: Homeland Security Advisor (Payne) Provides Emails To Back Up Claims That He Was Conned

[mod mom]

Homeland Security Advisor Provides Emails To Back Up Claims That He Was Conned
By Andrew Tilghman - July 15, 2008, 2:24PM

The Homeland Security adviser accused of selling access to the White House provided TPMmuckraker with a string of emails that he says prove he did nothing wrong.

Stephen Payne says he never meant to suggest that meetings with high-level Bush administration officials were contingent on big contributions to the future Bush library fund.

He says the Times of London tried to "entrap me into alleging that an illegal relationship could be established."

He says these five pages of emails show how the Kazakh politician he met with was trying to pressure him into an illegal arrangement.

-snip

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/07/homeland_security_advisor_prov.php

Payne's Statement here:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/payne-statement/

Payne's emails sent to TPM here:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/payne-emails/

note: TPMmuckraker has no way of authenticating them and we have no way to know how many other emails the two men may have exchanged.

Payne declined our request for a telephone interview and has not responded to our written questions.

[blogslut]

1. Anyone ask him why they scrubbed their website?

?

[mod mom]

2. TPM:Payne declined our request for a telephone interview + has not responded to our written question

[JDPriestly]

3. Please keep this kicked and recommended.

This Steve showed knowledge of the law and how to circumvent it. This is a huge story. It should be getting big press coverage, but, of course, we know it won't. The information in the e-mails about the arranging of Cheney's visit is especially fascinating.

Everyone should be sure to read all 5 pages of e-mails.
The e-mails are short but they really open your eyes.

[Disturbed]

4. Another Rethug scam artist tryin' to con his way out of his

crimes.

[Canuckistanian]

5. Wow. "Please remember that we are dealing in the USA...."

"..and that anyone tells you "I can deliver a US Govt action in exchange for specific funds" is someone you will soon visit in prison... as that would be bribery in this country --- you know my firm's track record, you know how we get things done..."