Call Chicago...

whatever you like:

* Chicago, Pride of the Rustbelt
* City in a Garden
* City of the Big Shoulders
* Gem of the Prairie
* Hog Butcher to the World
* "I Will" City
* Packingtown * Second City * Windy City * Corruptionville

I call it a "Temporary Assignment."

No Patrick in Chicago's Top 40?

Ney's Dayz In Congress Are Numbered...

"Photos of one of the infamous Jack Abramoff golf junkets to Scotland were made public in federal court Tuesday.

Abramoff, a former lobbyist who has pleaded guilty to bribery charges, says he used such extravagant trips to get officials to take action on behalf of his clients.

Included in the photos is Congressman Bob Ney (R-OH), who law enforcement officials say is facing possible indictment. Ney has denied any wrongdoing." [more]

Just say "No, thank you!" to graft.

Open Thread...

...

Are You Better Off..?

Rove May Find `It's the Economy, Stupid' Won't Work

"In a recent speech, Rove argued that Bush's policies of tax cuts and trade agreements had pulled the nation out of recession, created millions of jobs, boosted productivity and increased disposable income. That record can help lead Republicans to victory in November, Rove said in the May 15 speech at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington."

"In his AEI speech, Rove, 55, emphasized the creation of 5 million jobs in recent years. He also said Bush's tax cuts have stimulated growth, making up for revenue lost with lower rates. A tax reduction on stock dividends to 15 percent from 40 percent prompted the biggest companies in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index to raise dividend payments on 725 occasions, he said. That money is 'going into retirement funds and individual retirement accounts and people's pocketbooks,' he said." [more]

I am beginning to suspect that Karl has trouble telling the truth.

Monday Monday...

unless it is a Tuesday.

Recharged and ready to go.

The Crooked G...

Ken-etic energy (SI unit: the juice) is energy that a donor possesses as a result of his donation motion.

George W. Bush and Kenneth Lay

Please Don't Forget...

the survivors.

Family to salute their soldier's sacrifice

Bereaved military families find network that understands

New Thread...

What's on your mind?

If I Wanted More Baloney...

I could read the tabloids while in line at Safeway.
NYT: AG GONZALES NEARLY QUIT IN RAID DISPUTE

06/06/06: Not Just Another Date...

That's all I have to say about that.

With 06/06/06 looming (June 6, 2006), authorities in some cities are worrying prophecy theorists or hate groups might read something ominous into the date and use it as an excuse to stir tension. Some expectant mothers are making birthing appointments to ensure they avoid the date, according to the Sunday Times in London. [more]

Keep Pace...

The PACER Service Center is the Federal Judiciary's centralized registration, billing, and technical support center for electronic access to U.S. District, Bankruptcy, and Appellate court records.





Between May 10 and May 17, the grand jury that meets in the leak case returned four sealed indictments. Three of those indictments have since been unsealed and have to do with non-related cases. One indictment remains sealed and is filed in the courthouse as SEALED v. SEALED.

I’m sure you’ve read about this on some blogs and have seen the theories. Most federal prosecutors have never seen a case filed as SEALED v. SEALED. It’s usually US v. SEALED, but this one is very special and there is the screenshot! ;)

Have a GREAT weekend.

SEALED V. SEALED - May 17th Grand Jury...

1-06-cr-128: SEALED v. SEALED; Case is not available to the public.

COMING SOON!

Open Thread...

A great day for the good guys.

Libby And Veep In Deep Doe Doe...

Evil Cess Happens....

Libby's Grand Jury Testimony Transcript - May 24, 2006 Exhibits A through C

Sorry Scooter, No More Discovery For You- Part III - May 24, 2006

"To be clear, the government’s argument is not (as the defendant claims) that it is more likely that the Vice President discussed these issues with defendant merely because he wrote them down but, rather that, in light of the Vice President’s annotation of the Wilson Op Ed with the words, “Did Wilson’s wife send him on a junket?,” it is unlikely that, as defendant testified,the issue was not discussed in defendant’s repeated conversations with the Vice President during the week following the Wilson Op Ed’s publication."

And the MSM still thinks I am calling Cheney as a "witness" - WITNESS my a**!" ;)

What Would Cheney Say? - Washington (Clueless) Post

"For one, Fitzgerald yesterday made it clear that he may very well call Cheney as a witness. ( I did? )

In one of the brief's footnotes, of all things, he wrote: "Contrary to defendant's assertion, the government has not represented that it does not intend to call the Vice President as a witness at trial. To the best of government's counsel's recollection, the government has not commented on whether it intends to call the Vice President as a witness."

And then, to bolster his argument that notes from Cheney are more relevant to the case than notes from peripheral figures, Fitzgerald released several pages of Libby's hitherto secret grand jury testimony.

According to Libby's own testimony, Cheney was upset for several days about Wilson's op-ed in the New York Times -- and spoke of it frequently during that period.

"I recall that he was very keen to get the truth out," Libby told the grand jury on March 5, 2004. "He wanted to get all the facts out about what he had or hadn't done, what the facts were or were not. He was very keen about that and said it repeatedly. Let's get everything out." [more]

Right under their noses. Sheesh! ;)

Sock Puppet Special...

FYI, Jason Leopold broke some of the first stories about Enron and the company’s manipulation of the energy market, then a fake trading floor set up by Enron that eventually led us to today.

"A Well Deserved Drink...

and an afternoon off." - Sean "Junkyard Dog, Jr." Berkowitz - Today, arguably the smartest man in Texas.

I like the message sent by the September 11th sentencing date. It has me thinking about the numbers 666 - June 6th, 2006. I will have to consult my astrologist on this date. ;)

"Remember Patrick. He gets a lot done. He understands commitment. He knows how to concentrate his energies. He is obsessed.

We see the obsession in at least two aspects: Pluto in Virgo on the North Node, symbolizing his obsession with service (Pluto = obsessed; Virgo = service; North Node = compelling and unavoidable); and Mars opposite Jupiter (a kind of religious quest for justice)."

Bush - Lay Love Letters...

Love means never having to say you're sorry.

Kenny Boy Who..?

Convicted Felon Lay: Why are the Media Forgetting the Bush/Cheney Connection?

"Reading the MSM's coverage of Ken Lay's testimony -- side by side with its coverage of George Bush's latest bleating about energy -- I've been struck by how little discussion there is of Lay's and Enron's deep connections to Bush, Cheney, and the White House's energy company-dictated energy policy.

It would be like flash-forwarding four years to some future trial of Jack Abramoff and hearing nothing about Tom DeLay."

"So, as a reminder, here's what we must not forget:Lay didn't become "Kenny Boy" and an intimate FOG (Friend of George) because of his folksy charm. Enron and its executives doled out $2.4 million to federal candidates and parties in the 2000 election -- including $113,000 to the Bush/Cheney campaign. Lay and his wife also gave $100,000 to Bush's 2000 inaugural fund (Skilling chipped in $100,000 of his own), and another $5,000 each to the Bush-Cheney 2000 Recount Fund to help assure there'd be an inauguration. What's more, Lay even gave W's folks a ride to their son's 2000 inauguration on an Enron plane." [more]

Refer Madness...

V.P. Cheney’s spokeswoman, Lea Anne McBride, said in response to a question regarding Dick testifying in the Libby trail, “Since the inquiry relates to a case in the courts, I refer you to the Office of the Special Counsel.”

Anyone referred to us we refer to Jason Leopold who refers it to Truthout who refers it to Raw Story who refers it to TalkLeft who refers it to Robert Luskin who refers it to Mark Corallo who refers it to Howard Kurtz who refers it to Byron York who refers it to Clarice Feldman who refers it to David Shuster who refers it to Keith Olberman who refers it to Chris Matthews who refers it to Brian Ross who refers it to Randall Samborn who refers it to me and I refer it to Lea Anne McBride because she is glue.

And On The Sixth Day...

the crooked Enron evil doers were CONVICTED!

Mega-Kudos to my entire Enron Task Force - especially Sean Berkowitz, Kathryn H. Ruemmler, John C. Hueston and Cliff Stricklin!
I am clipping your cohibas now!

Wild Rumors And Speculation..!

or buzzkill?

Can he do this?

I better check my email.

Open Thread...

Play nice.

Can We Be More Vague..?

How many times recently have you heard or read the following:

“We are not talking about any aspect of this case and our office is not commenting on anything regarding the investigation at this time.” - Randall Sanborn.

Frustrating, yes? Recognizing the high level of interest in several of my high profile cases and personal life I have sent Randall a memo marked "urgent" that will give him much more leeway in answering any and all questions from the press and general public.

APPROVED ANSWERS:

* Cannot predict right now * It is certain * Better not tell you now * Concentrate and ask again *Yes, definitely * Don't count on it * As I see it, yes * Without a doubt * Reply hazy, try again * My reply is no * My sources say no * You can rely on it * It is decidely so * Libby is guilty as sin * Leviticus 5:5 * Sec. Rice and the very Special Prosecutor are only friends * What blog? *

PENDING:

* Rove is guilty as sin * Cheney is guilty as sin * Pray for President Bush * Jason Leopold used a wiretap * They are registered at Crate and Barrel * Oh, that blog *

Operation Global Con...

A smashing success! The AG earns this headline.

Hundreds arrested in global marketing scams

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez thanked his counterparts and police forces abroad for their "co-operation as we fight for con-sumers everywhere."

Gonzalez expressed his gratitude to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Costa Rica attorney general's office, the Costa Rica Judicial Investigation Organization, the Amsterdam police, the Dutch public prosecutor, the Competition Bureau of Industry Canada, Phone Busters (the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre), as well as six joint U.S.-Canadian task forces across Canada and all the others who helped him get his money refunded.

Bully!

GraftQuest...

The GOP leaders should be worried about FBI raids on Capitol Hill

The FBI's raid on a congressman's office is rippling through Capitol Hill, with majority Republicans in the House complaining to President Bush and predicting a constitutional showdown in the Supreme Court.

Let's be real here. Republican leaders have abdicated so much power to Bush, there's got to be something else going on. The real issue is how many GOP members are in hot water.

The FBI didn't raid the office of Randy "Duke" Cunningham despite his egregious illegal activity. They can't possibly ignore the other GOP members in hot water. So to make things easier for the FBI on their next Hill raids, we've prepared this handy list of sleazy GOP members and their offices: [more]

Hastert demands FBI return documents

Very Observant...

Pardon Me, Mr. President!
Libby’s Difficult Defense

Hours after I. Lewis Libby resigned from the White House last October, federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald broke the seal on an indictment charging him with five felonies.

Now, as the pre-trial jousting in Mr. Libby’s case picks up momentum, the onetime loyal West Wing confidant—Dick Cheney’s Dick Cheney—will have to choose between protecting himself and protecting the White House. Specifically, insiders say, he will have to choose between a not-guilty verdict and a Presidential pardon.

“It does put him in this difficult situation of putting the administration on trial,” said a lawyer in the case. “Things are coming out that would never have come out, solely because he’s going to fight the charges.” [more]

Open Thread...

Is it Wednesday already?

Crime Does Not Pay Or Give Refunds...

'Show me the money!' - 'Talk to the hand!'
COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Seven years after donating $1.1 million in Enron stock to his alma mater and with little to show for the gift, company founder Kenneth Lay asked the University of Missouri to steer the unspent money to Hurricane Katrina relief.

The school rejected the request, according to records obtained Monday by The Associated Press. By February, a Lay attorney was asking the school to return the money so Lay could pay legal bills stemming from the fraud and conspiracy case against him. The school again turned him down. [more]

"Lies, All Lies..."

The mother of all lists...

Double Your Pleasure...

double your fun with evil doers on the run...

2 in CIA to testify Libby lied and lied on leak

WASHINGTON - Two top CIA officials will bolster prosecutors' charge that Vice President Cheney's chief aide lied to them, court papers show.

Handsome prosecutors say disgraced Cheney chief of staff Lewis (Scooter) Libby learned CIA spy Valerie Plame's identity from, among others, agency officials who will be called to testify at his trial for perjury, false statements and obstruction of justice. [more]

TGIT...

I am going to make this my best Tuesday, ever!

Take A Deep Breath...

reflect on why we can't all get along AND why MSNBC keeps using this source?!

MSNBC: Rove's legal team expects decision 'at any time'

This One Is For You...

This Is A Test...

I am going to email myself and ask myself: Is this really my "foe" blog or someone else's "faux" blog. I would call myself, but that would be getting a little too weird! ;)

Developing...

Any Day Now...

Any way they can.

AT&T

busted. WIRED publishes internal AT&T documents showing company sold out customers to the NSA.

Call Me A "Sock Puppet..."

to my face. :D

Truthout - Information Sharing on the Rove Indictment Story

"Cowards Cut And Run..."

Bush, Blair to announce 'phased' Iraq withdrawal plan...

New Election/Poll Strategy - "Mission Really Accomplished!"

TGIM...

let's hit the ground running. What's on your mind besides prosecuting evil doers? ;)

Even though this is a serious and heavy "foe" blog, parody often has its place to relieve the daily tension of prosecuting evil doers through humor, so I highly recommended this clip for a Monday morning laugh to keep things in balance.

Tea And Cakes...

Fitzgerald Investigation/Libby Case Update, Part I
Fitzgerald Investigation/Libby Case Update, Part II

Conspiracy Theorists & Wing Nuts...

not feeling the love.

If Attorney General Gonzalez finds out about my blog I will be dooced!

"Seixon, we are drafting a letter to the DoJ's Office of Professional Responsibility noting Fitz' violation of ethical standards ans seeking an investigation. When it's done we will circulate it and ask people to sign and send it in. Please pop into JOM. If you have any contribution to make to the draft, it would be appreciated." Posted by: clarice at May 20, 2006 08:21 PM

Dear Clarice,

You and Sexion have shown me the tragic error of my ways by blogging AND prosecuting! Hopefully, if I promise to delete this blog and stop being Jason's "sock puppet", you might reconsider sending that letter to OPR!

In fact, I am extending an olive branch of friendship by posting excerpts from your latest articles in the "American Thinker" so that everyone can see you are a reasonable, brilliant and well respected member of the legal community whose opinions matter - even though some people can't take a good joke, like your articles, and say that they are only suitable for lining litter boxes, bird cages, chips and blue crabs.

Most respectfully,

PJF

Fitzgerald Distorting the Evidence to Smear Cheney

May 20th, 2006

"I’ve argued that the Special Counsel has criminalized a political dispute and increasingly seems to be using his position, not to advance his case, but to smear the defendant and the Administration.

Either that, or he seems to have a very spotty knowledge of the facts in the case he is pursuing. Last night in response to Fitzgerald’s representations about the news articles he intended to place in evidence, Libby filed court papers that underscored this shocking lack of command of the facts of the case." [more]

The Good Ship Fitzgerald Is Listing

May 14th, 2006

"While the media focuses on handwritten notations by the Vice President on a newspaper article, there is much more to be gleaned from late Friday’s court filings in the Libby case. The spin says that damaging new evidence has surfaced. But the filings by Fitzgerald reveal how rapidly his case is sinking.

Discovery in legal cases is rather like playing the old game “Battleship” where you can surmise from your opponent’s responses to your blind probes where he is hiding his fleet. So you can sink it. Scooter Libby’s legal team is playing the game masterfully and as the latest filings late Friday show, Fitzgerald’s fleet is taking on a lot of water." [more]

Hot Dog...

Christy breaks it down.

Fitzgerald Investigation/Libby Case Update, Part I

"I talked a little bit about legal questions that I had on this in comments the other day, but I wanted to reiterate one in particular here: when you have a "sealed indictment," it is sealed — as in not publicly available — for a reason. We used them a lot in drug conspiracy cases, where you had evidence of lower level people but were still working the investigation up the chain, and you would indict a lower level dealer when you had evidence on them, seal the indictment so as not to tip off higher level dealer/distributors, and then unseal the entire batch of indictments if and when you completed the investigation or you had to make an arrest on someone you thought was going to flee the jurisdiction.

Once you talk about an indictment that is under seal with anyone, you break that seal and the information contained within the indictment can become public. Which, frankly, defeats the whole point of having a sealed indictment in the first place." [more]

Open Thread...

Loosen Your Drag...

History will absolve Wayne Madsen and other hard charging journalists, but for now I have caught the smaller fish and am using him to catch a real lunker - if I strike too soon the hook won't set.

Remember, a fish rots from the head and Official "A" stands for a**.

Happy Saturday...!

Are Wheaties God's gift to man or what?

Here are the .pdf's of yesterday's filings made to Judge Walton - you can read them over breakfast. ;)

My brief

Libby's brief

PS: Scooter really needs to see a doctor about that memory problem of his and also consider eating a big bowl of Yellowcake Reality every morning.

"Mr. Libby may have been confused or may have misrecollected facts in good faith, and did not act with a specific intent to give false testimony. Only with such context will the jury appreciate that Mr. Libby did not need to attack Mr. Wilson personally to rebut his allegations, because the administration had clear factual support for its position that Mr. Wilson’s criticisms were wrong."

UPDATE: 1:00 PM EST - MSNBC BREAKING NEWS - yawn -

Libby lawyers oppose Cheney notes as evidence
Defense attorneys argue vice president’s ex-aide hadn’t seen document

My guess is that everyone slept in today.

Coming Soon: Scooter "Shmageggi" Libby ...

U.S. vs. I. Lewis Libby - May 19th - the constant back and forth and back and forth continues. This is not divorce court. Oy!

I may post the today's full filings early tomorrow morning, unless my rare spare time is otherwise occupied by sleeping in. ;)

Humor Me...

101

Let's imagine for a moment - that I am a special prosecutor - have an evil doer (for these purposes we will refer to him as Official "A") - by the short ones - on charges of lying to investigators, perjury, and obstruction of justice - all very serious crimes - with someone going to jail - it is not me.

Naturally, Official "A" is an unhappy person - very unhappy - all the money in the world - his good looks - powerful friends - high priced defense lawyers - can't help him beat this rap.

Also imagine - there might be other evil doers on my radar - Official "A-" and Official "A+" - that this special prosecutor - is building cases against as well.

In exchange - for Official "A's" cooperation and testimony - in helping bring these other evil doers to justice - hypothetically - I just might cut Official "A" some slack - on one or more charges - at sentencing.

[More than 90 percent of federal defendants plead guilty. Some do so during the pretrial phase as part of a plea bargain, in exchange for the prosecutors' dropping some charges or recommending a more lenient sentence.]

Naturally - as a special prosecutor (remember, humor me) - I have presented evidence - before a grand jury - on more than one occasion - finding of probable cause for grand juries - necessary to issue an indictment – is a relatively low standard of proof.

Finally - imagine - 12 of the 23 jurors - have already voted to indict Official "A" - consider the proposition - that I might want to keep that information secret (e.g. "sealed") - use it as leverage - to negotiate with Official "A" - and his lawyer - for unconditional cooperation - to bring all the evil doers to justice.

In a perfect world - this would be - swell.

Happy Friday - have a great weekend. :D

Right On Mark...

Let's meet the silver tongued 24/7 crisis communication spin doctor for Official "A."

His version: Mark Corallo All-American patriot

Other version: Mark Corallo, liar and right-wing hatchet man

Mark Corallo "quotes" - “We're confident at the end of this that Fitzgerald is going to find that Karl has been totally truthful and not only has done nothing wrong but has done everything right.” - my personal favorite ;)

Speed Buggy..?

"President George W. Bush rides in a U.S. Border Patrol dune buggy during a tour of the Yuma sector near the U.S. Mexico border in Yuma, Arizona, May 18, 2006."

Captions?

Cool Heads Prevail...

Insiders: Richard Armitage Will NOT Be Indicted

"Bobby Ray Inman's claims are "BS", claimed one very prominent Washington insider after reading TWN's report on Inman's claim that Richard Armitage would be indicted in the Valerie Plame Wilson outing probe."

Another well-placed insider who has interacted directly with many of the key personalities involved in the investigation wrote this to me: 'I'm sure Inman is wrong on Armitage. But I am also sure we'll hear more about Armitage's direct involvement. I am additionally sure we will hear about Armitage as a witness against Rove if he is indicted.'

Another person whom I can't identify but has direct knowledge of the direction of Fitzgerald's investigation as it pertains to Armitage and Rove stated that what Inman claims "is not the case". This source offered further that one "would be on 100 percent solid ground" with the claim that Armitage would NOT be indicted." [more]

Dick is a good egg.

Let's Review...

Who is Karl Christian Rove?

Enough Joking Around..!

who put this sticker on my back today? I must have been wearing it around the office for at least 30 minutes! ;)

"Rove Waits on Pins and Needles..."

and I slept like a baby.

TalkLeft much?

"We are all, Karl Rove included, waiting on pins and needles. What do you think? Today, will an Indictment be announced or will nothing happen?"

Byron York Debunks Madsen's Karl Rove Column

Something To Tell Their Constituents...

House Faux Ethics Panel, DOJ to Run Parallel Probes

The House ethics committee plans to quickly begin its probes into the activities of Reps. Robert W. Ney (R-Ohio) and William J. Jefferson (D-La.) while working with the Justice Department to avoid interference with federal prosecutors' investigations of the same lawmakers, according to people familiar with the panel's efforts.

The committee's surprise decision Wednesday to open inquiries into allegations that the congressmen accepted bribes -- as well as a third, wider-ranging probe -- was meant to tamp down criticism that the panel is dysfunctional and that the House is not policing the ethical lapses of its members, according to the sources.

Yet it was not clear that the committee would have enough time to complete its work before the end of the legislative session this autumn, or that its efforts would not complicate the work of Justice Department prosecutors and investigators.

After 16 months of inactivity and partisan bickering, the ethics committee, formally known as the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, this week created special investigative subcommittees to look separately into the cases of Ney and Jefferson. [continued]

Please try to stay out of my way.

Tomorrow Is A Busy Day...

OPEN THREAD

Pizzay That Rizzy - Part Two...

HomieLand Security defends bribery, 'GOP Hookergate' limos...
Just say "No, thank you!" to graft, free rides and ho's!

When Katie Couric, Bob Woodward...

Judy Miller or any other hard charging journalists or accurate news organizations like Fox News and the New York Times report it, then you can believe it! ;)
.

Richard Armitage In Fitzgerald's Crosshairs?

He certainly would be one large target!

Crank Caller - Disconnected..!

RNC official sentenced to prison for 'phone jam'

CONCORD, N.H. - Former Republican Party official James Tobin will serve 10 months in a federal prison for his part in a scheme to jam New Hampshire Democrats' get-out-the-vote phone lines in 2002.

Tobin, 45, of Bangor, will serve more time than either of his co-conspirators. A federal judge also sentenced Tobin on Wednesday to two years of supervised release after he leaves prison and ordered him to pay a $10,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Stephen McAuliffe ordered Tobin to report to prison June 23 and recommended he be sent to a minimum security facility. [more]

Lead prosecutor Andrew Levchuk, who works for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., said outside the courthouse that it "was a fair sentence." Nice job, Andrew!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: "I'm not sure you recognize that the nature of this offense is extraordinary," Judge McAuliffe said while imposing Tobin's sentence. "It was a direct assault on free and fair elections. ... Our democracy is fragile, it cannot afford assaults on the integrity of that process."

On A Much Lighter Note...

if you take 5 minutes and read this exchange of emails forwarded to me by Andrew Lourie - Acting Chief of our Public Integrity Section - he personally guarantees you a good laugh.

Is Wayne Insane..?

or just confirming Leopold is gold? ;)

Rove Has Been Indicted - Luskin Now A Subject Of Investigation

May 17, 2006 -- LATE EDITION -- WMR can report tonight on more details concerning the confusing reports regarding Karl Rove and Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald from last Friday. WMR can confirm that the appearance of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales before the Grand Jury at the US Federal Courthouse in Washington was a formality in which the jury informed the Attorney General of their decision to indict Karl Rove. That proceeding lasted for less than 30 minutes and took place shortly after noon. Gonzales's personal security detachment was present in the courthouse during the Grand Jury briefing. From the courthouse, Gonzales's motorcade proceeded directly down Constitution Avenue to the Department of Justice.

According to sources within the Patton and Boggs law firm, Karl Rove was present at the law firm's building on M Street. WMR was told by a credible source that a Patton and Boggs attorney confirmed that Fitzgerald paid a visit to the law firm to inform Rove attorney Robert Luskin and Rove that an indictment would be returned by the Grand Jury against Rove. Contrary to other reports, some of which may have emanated from the Rove camp in order to create diversions and smokescreens, the meetings at Patton and Boggs did not last 15 hours nor was a 24-hour notice of intent to indict delivered to Rove. In the Scooter Libby case last October, after the Grand Jury decided to indict Libby on Friday, October 21 and the Attorney General personally heard the decision the same day at a meeting with the jury, the actual indictment was issued the following Friday, October 28. Several sources have told WMR that an announcement concerning the indictment of Rove will be made on Friday, May 19 generally following the same scenario from October 28, 2005 -- the posting of the indictment on the Special Prosecutor's web site followed by a press conference at Main Justice.

WMR was also told by a credible source that part of the reason for Fitzgerald's visit to Patton and Boggs was to inform Rove attorney Luskin that he has moved into the category of a "subject" of the special prosecutor's investigation as a result of a conversation with Time reporter Viveca Novak, in which Novak told Luskin that Rove was a source for Time's Matt Cooper. The special prosecutor, who has prosecuted one defense attorney in the Hollinger case, is reportedly investigating whether Luskin, as an officer of the court, may have violated laws on obstruction of justice.

WMR has also discovered that last year Rove, realizing he remained a lightning rod in the CIA Leakgate scandal, made preliminary plans to move into the private sector from the White House to take political heat off the Bush administration. However, as it became clear that he was in over his head legally and his legal bills piled up, Rove decided to remain at the White House. - Wayne Madsen Report

Truth Be Told...

Truthout - Update on the Rove Indictment Story

The Crooked E...

Trial Goes to Jury
"The fate of former Enron Chairman Ken Lay and former Chief Executive Officer Jeff Skilling, is now in the hands of a federal jury. Prosecutors completed their closing statements Wednesday."

"Defense lawyers emerged from the federal courthouse shortly after Federal Judge Sim Lake sent the case to the jury and expressed optimism about the outcome. One of Ken Lay's attorneys, Mac Secrest, said his client wants resolution of the case once and for all. 'Quite frankly, we are hoping that whatever the verdict is, that they reach a verdict. We do not want a hung jury,' said Mr. Secrest."

"But Assistant US Attorney Sean Berkowitz had the final word in finishing the prosecution's closing arguments Wednesday morning. He rejected the charge that government witnesses had been coerced. He said witnesses who had pleaded guilty in exchange for testimony were obligated under their plea agreements to tell the truth."

Berkowitz also attacked Skilling's use of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as an excuse for selling Enron stock. Prosecutors contend that Skilling sold stock to get his money out of the failing company even as he assured investors that all was well. Berkowitz said, "Mr. Skilling used our nation's tragedy to cover his tracks. That is offensive and he should not get away with it."

The federal prosecutor reviewed evidence with the jury that he said proved both Lay and Skilling had lied to analysts, investors and their own employees about the health of the company. Berkowitz said, "They withheld the truth and they put themselves before investors."

Junkyard Dog, Jr. Berkowitz concluded by saying,

"You cannot buy justice."

Please...

we will serve no indictments before their time ;)

Kailua & Cream Rinse...

Dusty Foggo, just say "No, Thank You!" to graft, Aloha.

Disgraced ex-CIA executive director's 7 bedroom, 12 guest Hawaiian bribaway
"Prosecutors want to know who paid for the lavish trips to European castles and top end Hawaiian resorts, including this $7,000 a night Kailua beachfront mansion, owned at one time by hair stylist super-star Paul Mitchell," ABC reports. [nice photos]

On my salary I can barely afford a Matsumoto shave ice (with Azuki beans, scoop of ice cream and snow cap).

Kenny Chesney & Mints For Dessert...

Bush and Howard: Best Mates

The White House dinner in honor of Australian Prime Minister John Howard found guests dining on squash soup; barramundi, a fish native to Australia (these, however, were farmed in Massachusetts); summer greens, and an Australian black pearl nougat glace (nougat ice cream with oranges). On a diplomatic note, the White House served a Greg Norman chardonnay from Santa Barbara.

Who's Hot, Who's Not - Guess Who Came to Dinner: The White House List sans* the Cheney's, Karl Rove, Scooter Libby...

I did not receive an Evite again and Condi went stag (look out Kenny!), but apparently I enjoyed a much nicer meal at Sushi Ko with colleagues Peter and Debra.

Perry Mason...

Jonathan Jeffress is not.

Media Hearing - Libby Case
"Much of yesterday’s hearing concerned the notebooks of former New York Times reporter Judith Miller, who spoke three times with Libby about Wilson’s work in June and July 2003 and made repeated reference in her notes to Plame. Miller has said she also discussed Plame with other officials but could not recall their names. But she did not write an article about the matter.

The Times has provided Libby a redacted copy of the notebooks, but Jeffress argued that Libby needed to see other names and phone numbers in Miller’s notebooks to determine who else she spoke with about Plame and if her memory about all the related conversations was confused." [more]

Peter Zeidenberg and Debra Bonamici stepped up to the plate for Team DOJ, while I made notes, played sodoku and doodled aimlessly.

Fitzgerald Leads Legion of Lawyers

JUSTICE LEAGUE

"Fitzgerald has been the face of this highly publicized probe, but he's relied upon a small army of prosecutors from Washington and Chicago with an array of backgrounds and varying degrees of experience." [more]

Error Code Of Ethics...

Tony Snow's First Day...

the English language is a sticky wicket...

Think Progress: Today in your first press briefing you referred to the term “tar baby” on two occasions:

SNOW: Having said that, I don’t want to hug the tar baby of trying to comment on the program, the alleged program, the existence of which I can neither confirm nor deny.
….
QUESTION: What are your personal goals? What do you hope to achieve here? Will you continue to televise these briefings? And would you put into English the phrase (OFF-MIKE) the tarbaby?

SNOW: Well, I believe hug the tarbaby, we could trace that back to American lore.

Should he be tarred and feathered yet?

Judge Walton...

held everyone in suspense today over what tie lurked beneath his robe.

<------ I think it was this one.

I am in D.C. tonight/tomorrow - can anyone recommend a good Japanese or Chinese restaurant here?

To Err Is Human...

To Flip Divine.

Hollinger Will Cooperate With Fitz Against Conrad Black

CHICAGO Hollinger Inc. -- the Canadian-based holding company disgraced mogul Conrad Black once used to control a worldwide newspaper empire - - agreed Monday to flip on its former chairman.

Hollinger signed a 1,600-word cooperation agreement with the United States Attorney's Office in Chicago that ensures that no former executives, directors or employees will be prosecuted for any crimes relating to the $16.55 million in non-compete payments diverted from Hollinger International, which publishes the Chicago Sun-Times and other papers, to Hollinger Inc., which then was controlled by Black, with stakes held by his former lieutenant David Radler and others.

The principal asset of Inc., as it is referred to in the agreement, is its approximately 66.8% voting and 17.4% equity interest in Hollinger International, which intends to change its name to Sun-Times Media Group.

In the agreement, which is also signed by U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Hollinger Inc. "acknowledges that the government has developed evidence during its investigation that Inc. is criminally liable because one or more of Inc.'s former officers, directors or employees violated federal criminal law with the intent, in part, to benefit Inc. in connection with the above-described fraudulent diversion of approximately $16.55 million from International to Inc. Inc. further acknowledges that one or more of its officers, directors or employees acted illegally in connection with Inc.'s receipt of approximately $16.55 million in non-compete payments and that it is responsible for the repayment of such money."

Inc. noted in a separate statement that money had been "repaid to Hollinger International Inc. with interest in 2004 pursuant to a judgment in the Delaware Court of Chancery."

With the agreement, the former holding company, which is now under court receivership in Canada, joins Radler in agreeing to cooperate in the racketeering fraud and money laundering case against Black, and two former key International executives, Mark Kipnis, Jack Boultbee, and Peter Atkinson. They have pleaded not guilty. Black's trial has been scheduled for March 2007.

Open Thread...

TGIT

Enron Hocus Pocus..!

Prosecutor: Lay, Skilling Hid Enron Fraud
Kenneth Lay, Jeffrey Skilling Used 'Harry Potter Magic' to Cover Up Fraud

HOUSTON (AP) -- Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay and former Chief Executive Jeffrey Skilling used "hocus-pocus" to cover up a massive fraud that brought down what was once the seventh-largest company in the U.S., a federal prosecutor said on Monday.

Lay and Skilling committed crimes "through accounting tricks, fiction, hocus-pocus, trickery, misleading statements, half-truths, omissions and outright lies," prosecutor Kathryn Ruemmler told jurors and a packed courtroom in closing arguments.

"In this courtroom, ladies and gentlemen, the cover stories have been blown. Mr. Lay and Mr. Skilling are still clinging to the cover stories," she said.

On a large screen, Ruemmler displayed for jurors a comment Lay made during his often contentious testimony that she said encapsulated the Enron culture that the two men nurtured and embraced:

"Rules are important, but they should not ... you should not be a slave to the rules either."

Ruemmler, pacing before the jury box as the eight-woman, four-man panel listened intently, said Lay and Skilling "lied over and over and over again" and "bent rules, pushed rules and then pushed over the line" in the years before Enron sought bankruptcy protection in December 2001.

The collapse left thousands jobless and wiped out billions of dollars from investors who believed their claims.

"That is a fraud. That is why we are here. That is why this matters," Ruemmler said. [continued]

Kathryn (Kitty) Ruemmler has a way with words, is tough as nails and makes corporate evil doers tremble. To date, I am extremely proud of everyone on the Enron Task Force.

*MEDIA ADVISORY*...

for Karl Rove will be very similar to this one.

With All Humility...

I kind of like this. ;)