Thanks D14truth
calgov2002:
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Posted on 06/19/2002 11:44:39 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
SACRAMENTO -- Politicians and their aides are convinced the state Capitol is crawling with FBI agents in the aftermath of the Oracle debacle and amid insinuations of policy for sale in the governor's office.
Assembly Democrats were warned in a closed-door meeting last week to avoid any appearance of a link between fund raising and lawmaking, because "someone is sniffing around the building," one lawmaker said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The caucus's counsel reminded members that "even the implication" of a connection between a policy discussion and campaign fund raising could lead to serious legal trouble, the lawmaker said.
Though few current Assembly members were in the Capitol in 1985, many are aware of a nearly three-year undercover FBI probe that began that year. And many know that the probe uncovered a web of corruption and bribery, resulting in convictions of officeholders, staff members and lobbyists.
That investigation, in which FBI agents posed as operators of a West Sacramento shrimp company in need of favors, began after a real West Sacramento businessman complained to agents that lawmakers would help only large contributors.
"The whole building is a little bit paranoid right now," one chief of staff said.
Sacramento area FBI spokesman Nick Rossi would neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.
"It's a matter of policy," Rossi said. "To do so would compromise our ability to conduct investigations."
Most lawmakers and staff members convinced of a corruption probe say it likely stems from the botched Oracle deal, in which the government allegedly awarded an overpriced $95 million contract more as a political favor than as a sound policy move.
Others cite allegations by teachers union chief Wayne Johnson that Gov. Gray Davis asked for $1 million during a policy discussion.
Davis' office has consistently rejected any suggestion that contributions enter into his deliberations when he sets policy.
But respected political scientist Bruce Cain said, "You can bet anybody in the FBI reading those stories over the past couple of months would start to get interested in Sacramento."
Cain, director of the Institute of Governmental Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, said he'd be "surprised if there weren't (an investigation)."
"Especially," he said, "since the Bush administration would like to indict the whole Democratic Party for extorting money. That's how these things get started."
While Democrats have made it clear to their members that investigators were "in the building," Republican leaders have offered only "offhand" suggestions to their members, "Only like, 'Hey, in case anybody forgot,' " caucus spokesman Peter DeMarco said.
"Of course they're here," he said. "In a sense, they should be here."
In the Senate, leaders apparently had passed no such warnings to their members, and many staff members said they had not heard talk of an investigation.
But several Assembly staff members said they were warned outright and said the idea has many inexperienced employees unsure exactly when they might cross an ethical or legal line.
"I think everybody knows," said an aide to an influential Assembly member. "I think everyone assumes that their phone is tapped and their e-mail is being read."
* To reach Capitol Bureau Chief Will Shuck, phone (916) 441-4078 or
e-mail sacto@recordnet.com
Thanks D14truth
calgov2002:
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By the way, if Gray Davis were to be indicted, can the Dems replace him at the head of their ticket?
This might explain why Florez and other rats have been making some loud noises about Whoreacle. That way, when summoned into the FBI office in Sacramento, they can say but we said this was bad!
If anything happens, I hope the first indictment is against Bubba Lockyer, our criminal bribe taker posing as our State Attorney General. Then, indict most of Davis's insider traders on the Dept of Water Resources for insider trading last year re power companies.
If any FBI person is reading FR, you might want to see the cancelled $50 check from Lockyer that he supposedly sent to Whoreacle to pay back his bribe. Then, see if Whoreacle did deposit that $50K and not re laundry it to Lockyer!
Wonder which Rat state office holder will be the first to roll his fellow rats over to stay out of jail and resign to "Spend more quality time with his family!"
Don't you just love HIGH ANXIETY TIME FOR RATS IN SACRAMENTO!
JOHN K. VINCENT
John K. Vincent is the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of California, having been appointed on an interim basis in January, 2001. Mr. Vincent served as the First Assistant U. S. Attorney for nearly a year before his appointment, and the Chief of Special Prosecutions for nearly three years before that.
Mr. Vincent joined the U. S. Attorney's Office in 1986 after four years in private practice and two clerkships with federal judges. For the last 12 years, he has specialized in public corruption cases.
He is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and the Notre Dame Law School, and has been a member of California Bar for over 20 years
inexperienced employees unsure exactly when they might cross an ethical or legal line.Note to any such employee.
If you are unsure if you are crossing a legal line, you are already well over the ethical line.
And if you are wondering if you are about to cross an ethical line, odds are you are.
Start there, and go on to vote fraud.
And oh, BWAAAHAHAAAHAAAHAAHAAHAAAAAAHAAA
He should send chills up the spineless on both ends of the polical spectrum who feel there is no CONTROLLING LEGAL AUTHORITY!
In keeping with their recent strategy, they will nominate him for President.
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