Federal prosecutors worried that Jefferson decision could prevent wiretapping of corrupt members of Congress
The real world implications of the court decision of the Jefferson case are beginning to be understood by prosecutors. For example, CREW said could decision have a "devastating impact" on future cases like the one involving Ted Stevens. In fact, as The Associated Press reveals, prosecutors are worried that the ruling could prevent wiretapping federal elected officials suspected of corruption. And, not coincidentally, Ted Stevens being Exhibit A:
The Justice Department is worried that a recent appeals court ruling could make it impossible to use wiretaps to investigate members of Congress in corruption cases.
If so, that could extend to the ongoing investigation of Sen. Ted Steven, R-Alaska. The Associated Press recently reported that the FBI used an Alaskan oil contractor to tape phone conversations with the powerful senator as part of a corruption sting.
In court documents filed last week, government attorneys asked the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to reconsider last month's decision regarding the FBI raid on the office of Rep. William Jefferson, D-La.
0/21/07(CBS) JOLIET, Ill.
0/21/07(CBS) JOLIET, Ill. CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery has filed a complaint after he was shoved and sent down a flight of stairs while questioning a congressman Friday, knocking him into a woman who also fell.
The incident happened in Joliet, where Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Ill.) was announcing his intention not to run for reelection.
Weller spoke for about 15 to 20 minutes about his accomplishments in his district and in Washington, then he left with a phalanx of people around him, and "with no intention, evidently, of answering questions," Flannery said.
Flannery was pushed by a Weller aide right before he followed Weller into a stairway. The initial contact occurred off-camera. In the video posted on cbs2chicago.com, you can see Flannery stumbing into the view of the camera after being pushed. He is then shoved a second time once inside the doorway, which caused a woman inside the stairwell to fall.
The man who shoved Flannery and another television reporter was identified as John Dusik, an aide to the congressman.
A watchdog group recently declared Weller one of the most corrupt members of Congress due to questions about his financial ethics stemming from land deals in Central America.
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court ruling could make it impossible to use wiretaps to investi
Well don't that just blow your skirt? Next thing we here from DC will be a law banning death for senators and fledged members of the house.
Time is coming - so keep your powder dry.