White House Sought Investigations of Voter Fraud Allegations Before Elections
“Only weeks before last year’s pivotal midterm elections, the White House urged the Justice Department to pursue voter-fraud allegations against Democrats in three battleground states, a high-ranking Justice official has told congressional investigators. In two instances in October 2006, President Bush’s political adviser, Karl Rove, or his deputies passed the allegations on to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ then-chief of staff, Kyle Sampson.” (McClatchy Newspapers)
Bank Workers See Wolfowitz as a World Apart
“In the tense days after World Bank President Paul D. Wolfowitz admitted his mistake in arranging a generous payment package for his girlfriend, angry employees launched an impromptu campaign. Blue ribbons started cropping up on lapels, taped to doors and as an image in e-mails â a symbol of support for the bank’s ideals of good governance and transparency. The curls of fabric were seen by many of the more than 7,000 staffers in Washington as a silent but clear call for their leader to resign. Then Wolfowitz himself was seen wearing one.” (LA Times)
Europeans Press Wolfowitz to Quit as Bank Chief
“European leaders have told the Bush administration that Paul D. Wolfowitz must resign as president of the World Bank in order to avoid a vote next week by the bankâs board declaring that he no longer has its confidence to function as the bankâs leader, European officials said Thursday. The officials said the board was drafting a resolution reflecting its view that the relationship between Mr. Wolfowitz and the governing body of the bank had ‘broken beyond repair.'” (NY Times)
Former Chicago Dem. Leader Indicted for Corruption
“Federal prosecutors on Thursday announced an indictment against former Chicago alderman and Cook County Democratic leader Edward Vrdolyak, charging him with fraud and bribery as part of a kickback scheme involving Gold Coast real estate. Vrdolyak, 69, is accused of scheming with businessman and Republican insider Stuart Levine to get a kickback for Levine from the 2004 sale of an older medical building for a condo project.” (CBS)
Conservatives Replace Scandal-Plagued Doolittle With Scandal-Plagued Calvert
“Yesterday, the House Republican Steering Committee voted to seat Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) on the Appropriations Committee, âfilling the vacancy left by embattled Rep. John Doolittle (R-CA),â who is under investigation by the FBI for his longstanding ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Named one of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washingtonâs â20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress,â Calvert has a history of abusing his power just as much as Doolittle.” (Think Progress)
Leak Allegations at Center of Dispute
“Allegations that the federal government leaked secret grand jury information to the media before indictments were issued against Brent Wilkes and Kyle âDustyâ Foggo are under investigation by the Justice Department. That means a request by defense attorneys for a separate investigation is moot, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Forge stated in documents filed in federal court late Monday.” (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Michael Moore Faces US Treasury Investigation over “Sicko” Documentary’s Cuba Trip
“Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers to Cuba for a segment in his upcoming health-care documentary “Sicko,” The Associated Press has learned. The investigation provides another contentious lead-in for a provocative film by Moore, a fierce critic of President Bush. In the past, Moore’s adversaries have fanned publicity that helped the filmmaker create a new brand of opinionated blockbuster documentary.” (Associated Press)
Judge Orders Lid on Phone Records
“Deborah Jeane Palfrey, the woman accused of being the D.C. madam, can’t release any more phone records that would reveal patrons of her Washington escort service, a federal judge said yesterday. U.S. District Judge Gladys Kessler placed a temporary restraining order on Palfrey and her civil attorney, prohibiting them from sharing additional phone records with news organizations or the public.” (Washington Post)
