Clintonista's Indictment Kept Secret for a Year

NewsMax.com ^ | 1/08/05 | Carl Limbacher

[kattracks]

Though Hillary Clinton's former finance chairman David Rosen was actually indicted in 2003, the Bush administration kept it secret till the indictment was unsealed late Friday, a move that spared the former first couple and the Democratic Party significant embarrassment during the height of the 2004 presidential campaign.

"The indictment was handed down more than a year ago," the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Citing "sources familiar with the probe," the Times said the Bush Justice Department decided that any criminal charges would not be made public until after last fall's presidential election for fear they would be seen as a politically tainted vendetta by the Bush Administration."

While under secret federal indictment, Rosen was able to continue working for top Democrats throughout the long presidential campaign, eventually joining the campaign staff of Clinton protege, Gen. Wesley Clark, who launched his own presidential bid on the advice of the former first couple.

The decision to keep the politically awkward indictment under wraps allowed Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to assume high profile roles attacking President Bush on the Iraq war, as well as a whole range of domestic issues, without having to answer questions about their role in Rosen's case.

In Sept. 2003, Mrs. Clinton went so far as to accuse the White House of corruption, saying Bush officials had deliberately covered up unhealthy air quality at Ground Zero in the days after the 9/11 attacks.

In a measure of the extraordinary sensitivity with which Bush officials handled the Clinton-related case, the Times said the Rosen probe was "being directed by federal prosecutors with the Public Integrity Section at the Justice Department's headquarters in Washington, who specialize in this type of case."

Although the 10-page indictment does not indicate whether others, including the Clintons, were suspected of wrongdoing, Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra told the Times, "All we can say is that there are no additional subjects at this time."

But a key witness in the case has alleged that Hillary Clinton had guilty knowledge of concealed campaign contributions for an Aug. 12, 2000 fundraiser on behalf of her Senate campaign, which formed the basis for Rosen's indictment.

Hollywood producer Peter Paul, who funded the star-studded Los Angeles gala, has claimed that Mrs. Clinton personally negotiated "the largest payment for the event that I underwrote."

Paul and the his lawfirm Judicial Watch have maintained since 2001 that Mrs. Clinton's Senate campaign deliberately undereported nearly $2 million in in-kind contributions he made to cover expenses for the Aug. 2000 event.

Celebrity fundraiser Aaron Tonken, another key figure in the probe, has also suggested that Mrs. Clinton may face legal trouble because of his testimony about work he did for the former first couple.

In a soon-to-be released book that covers his relationship with the Clintons, Tonken says he handed out checks to "certain pols" that were "illegal." And he personally witnessed a "brown bag" stuffed with cash going "someplace it shouldn't."

In 2002 deposition in an unrelated case, Tonken testified: "I'm a star witness against President and Mrs. Clinton. . . . regarding the fundraising activities that I've done on behalf of the Clintons."

[kattracks]

the Bush Justice Department decided that any criminal charges would not be made public until after last fall's presidential election for fear they would be seen as a politically tainted vendetta by the Bush Administration."

Which is exactly how the MSM would have portrayed it.

The decision to keep the politically awkward indictment under wraps allowed Mr. and Mrs. Clinton to assume high profile roles attacking President Bush on the Iraq war, as well as a whole range of domestic issues, without having to answer questions about their role in Rosen's case.

As if anyone, especiially the MSM would have asked these questions,

[drt1]

While I guess I don't really care - What ever happened to simply disclosing the indictment when it comes down, in the normal course. ANY interference by anyone in the process is wrong, whether it is to rush it or delay it for political or other advantage.

[drt1]

IMO that is.

[MamaLucci]

Hopefully, Sandy Burglar will be next............

[Askel5]

Aw ... how kind, how clever!

What a blessing it is to have the Liberal Press to blame for such moves.

Reminds me of the time the GOP Senators "split their consciences" and passed the Schumer Amendment 87-13 lest Gore get any good press coverage for breaking what they would have has us believe was gonna be a "tie".

Don't know that I'll stick around to read the comments on this thread. I'm not one who enjoys listening to the abused defend their abusers ... particularly where concerns the enabling of objective "Evil" sorts like the Clintons.

What a pathetic joke.

[investigateworld]

later read

[robertpaulsen]

"Although the 10-page indictment does not indicate whether others, including the Clintons, were suspected of wrongdoing, Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra told the Times, "All we can say is that there are no additional subjects at this time."

Hmmmm. Methinks his nickname is Bravo Sierra.

[handy old one]

Dang if you do and dang if you don't!!

[TommyDale]

How many people think the DemocRATS would have acted similarly, if the situation had been reversed?

[robertpaulsen]

"Although the 10-page indictment does not indicate whether others, including the Clintons, were suspected of wrongdoing, Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra told the Times, "All we can say is that there are no additional subjects at this time."

Hmmmm. Methinks his nickname is Bravo Sierra.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Unlike the DemonRats, who engaged in a full-court press to taint Bush's election. The got Hollywood to make bogus documentaries, they spun all news events to appear as negative as possible, they engaged in document forgeries, the list goes on and on.... It sure says a lot about both campaigns and their supporters, doesn't it?

[Mo1]

Justice Department spokesman Bryan Sierra told the Times, "All we can say is that there are no additional subjects at this time."

At this time???

Kind of makes a person go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

BRING ON THE POPCORN!

[sofaman]

I'm sure that the Democrats would have handled this with the same discretion. (/sarcasm)

[Askel5]

=== former finance chairman David Rosen was actually indicted in 2003, the Bush administration kept it secret till the indictment was unsealed late Friday


Perhaps this is just timed so that the Moral Party's loosening of its own standards in order to wipe the slate clean for Delay won't appear quite so hypocritical.

[cardinal4]

Hopefully, Sandy Burglar will be next............

Me, too. His treachery was caught on tape..

[sofaman]

You got in first, you sneaky thing... ;-)

[woofie]

BRING ON THE POPCORN!

Its Hollywood....I want milk-duds

[Askel5]

=== It sure says a lot about both campaigns and their supporters, doesn't it?


Yes it does but I'm not sure you're getting the message yet if you're still pleased as punch to be a member of the "Stoopid Party"

[kattracks]

What a blessing it is to have the Liberal Press to blame for such moves.

As opposed to some people who would rather ALWAYS blame the Republicans or President Bush.

Don't know that I'll stick around to read the comments on this thread.

Believe me, you won't be missed.

[COUNTrecount]

Do you think Berger the Burlar is secretly indicted too ?