George thanks you for your support!
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
George thanks you for your support!
A pity the FBI doesn't treat them the way they treated the folks at Ruby Ridge.
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