And the Whistleblower IS…..
22 12 2008
Right on time, here’s the news promised today about the whistleblower in the Ted Stevens trial. Looks like a member of our favorite 3-letter organization, the FBI. From the Anchorage Daily News:
A five-year FBI agent assigned to the Alaska corruption investigation is the whistleblower who brought a complaint of misconduct against other agents and at least one prosecutor involved in the trial of U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens.
The redacted — meaning partially blacked-out — complaint was publicly filed this afternoon in Washington, D.C., by the judge in the Stevens case over the objections of Justice Department lawyers and the attorney for the unidentified whistleblower. Stevens’ lawyers wanted the full document released without restrictions.
“I have witnessed or learned of serious violations of policy, rules, and procedures as well as possible criminal violations,” the whistleblower asserted in his complaint to the Justice Department’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
And what says our soon-to-be ex-Senator’s legal team?
Stevens’ lawyers immediately filed a motion to have the case dismissed. At the very least, they want a new trial. They say that the information provided by the whistleblower
“confirms what the defense has long believed and alleged: the government cheated and lied in order to obtain a verdict against Sen. Ted Stevens.”
I have a feeling that the case won’t be dismissed, but it will be interesting to see if Uncle Ted gets his do-over. The plot thickens…
(**Apologies to the ADN. I forgot to link to them this morning. Hangs head, and gives a sheepish smile…)
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 PM
Oh Lord! Now there will be no end to this. If all of this is true I say a new trial should be put in place. This still does not change the fact that Ted Stevens took gifts and never claimed them.
It is like one big barrel of corrupt monkey’s!
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:27 PM
All these goings on in Alaska have done my head in. I can’t keep anything straight anymore – it’s just too confusing!
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 PM
Oh my poor aching, Alaskan head… And just when we all hoped that we might have a quiet and peaceful holiday season…
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 PM
More madness………
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 PM
The whistleblowers accusations have yet to be proven. The way this case is going, it may turn out that the whistleblower was the one bribed to lie about misconduct. I just hope the Prosecution’s conduct doesn’t let Stevens ultimately walk free, because no matter who lied to what, nothing changes the fact that Stevens recieved almost a new house for free, and the only reason he doesn’t have more to answer for is the statute of limitations ran out on a whole bunch of other stuff.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:48 PM
AKM, I’m sure glad you can keep this all straight, I’m just a bit foggy…but will try to keep up. Happy Hanukkah, to those who are celebrating today…and I’ll be lighting a few candles just just cause I like em….shading light in all the dark places.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 PM
At least Stevens is out of office, and highly unlikely to run again. Lets hope our favorite 3 letter organization will examine the Palingates as our legislature is making it quite clear they have neither the teeth or the stomach to do so.
December 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Man you people are like ostriches with your head in the sand. Ted Stevens was framed into this mess, and the more clear it becomes, the more reticent you are to believe it could be that way. Thank you mudflaps, for at least keeping the editorial part to a minimum. Your chattering class(less) of posters need to wake up.
Um. It’s MudflaTs. We’ll wait to see what happens. My personal hunch is that Stevens may get his new trial, and we’ll get the same result. If not, then we’ll probably get a brand new one when they start investigating a certain Ben Stevens. If you’re looking to win hearts and minds, it’s usually best not to use the term “you people” or refer to posters as “classless”. Tends to make people not listen to you. Differing opinions welcome. Rudeness not.
AKM
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:01 PM
Wasn’t this the Republican’s FBI?? So nice to have Begich in there for the next six years!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Happy Holidays, AKM. I’m just kind of sorry there aren’t, like, 45 days of Christmas. That’s a sweet, muddy roll!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:17 PM
Goodness – but for those of you who are referring to this as an Alaska problem. This is the FEDs, for once, if it is true, it is not us. Just related to AK and the prosecuters were from DC. yes? What a mess – Stevens made some big mistakes, intentionally or not, but he also did accomplish a lot like helped out with establishing Denali Kid Care – Is that right fellow AKers? and the Denali Commission which tries to coordinate use of federal money in the state to best assist rural communities so that it can be put to use constructively – I am going to have to do some research on this to make sure I know whereof I speak, but some of the stuff he accomplished has been notable – in the favorable way, unlike recent events.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:18 PM
Hey AKVoice – how ya ’splain the 12 jurors final decision on the evidence presented ??……..just askin’……..
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 PM
@AKVoice,
We are fully awake! But you my dear, have been sleeping. Did you bother to read the comments. Also too, think you may have lost your way on the inter tubes.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:29 PM
The whistleblower, whomever she or he is, contended that sending Rocky Williams back to Alaska rather than having him testify was wrong. However, from descriptions of his condition, especially his very yellow skin, leads one to believe he was suffering from end-stage alcoholic cirrhosis. When someone is in that condition, the liver is not filtering toxins from the bloodstream and the victim becomes increasingly confused. It’s called “brain fog.” He would have been useless as a witness. If the FBI employee was responsible for arranging Rocky’s transportation home, they would have been aware of how debilitated he was. Rocky would have had considerable assistance so that he did not miss connections, have someone to pick him up, etc. I’m actually surprised that he’s still alive.
If the court’s informant was aware of this, yet still made an issue of it, one suspects all the information he or she tendered to the court. This sounds like another “Dave Anderson recantation” story.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Denali KidCare was former Gov. Tony Knowles’ work. It’s a state program to deliver health care to Alaskan kids. The Denali Commission is Ted Stevens’ work. It’s a state-fed partnership to cost share the building of infrustructure.
I can see a Denali Commission project from my window, literally. A Village Safe Water project. The babies in the village here were getting hepatitis from drinking creek water. The old water source was the creek. I told the SO about the babies getting sick, we met with the VSW people and ended up selling them a 4 acre well and tank site. Now the village has clean drinking water. If it wasn’t for Ted Stevens, they’d still be drinking out of the creek…
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:48 PM
This boggles the mind. FBI ratting on FBI? FBI making things up? FBI plant purposefully trying to put the shebozz on the legitimacy of the trial? Would the FBI even have gotten into it, knowing how well-known Stevens was, if there was any doubt about his guilt?
But then, of course, we have the FBI stating that Dr. Bruce Ivins was the sole perpetrator of the anthrax letters mailing. Which is, inside, upside, backwards and forwards, just plain outright hogwash. But then the FBI had a real need to come up with a perp, and one that kills himself before trial is kinda perfect. Can’t prove but can’t disprove either.
But what possible motive would the FBI have to nail Stevens wrongfully?
Boggles the mind, I tell ya.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 PM
@AKVoice,
Everyone here is open to discussion. But at the same time, whether we agree or disagree, we normally remain polite. You coming in and calling posters classless, doesn’t bode well. Go home and collect your manners, come back with an argument, and people will discuss the issues, politely.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Wait a minute. Isn’t this the pot calling the kettle black? Or is it the kettle calling the pot black whose calling the kettle black? Who’s who?
Seems to me corruption, past and present, just can’t help but bubble up to the top these days. Carry on, pots and kettles, bubble up!
(power to the people, finally. exposure is disclosure)
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:55 PM
@Ennealogic,
OT. I followed the Bruce Ivins mailings too. And I certainly don’t believe he was guilty.
My mind is properly boggled!
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 PM
No need to feed the t****… It’s been reported and all that jazz.
December 22nd, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Please starve the trolls of affection.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 PM
I know. Just trying to introduce manners!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Irishgirl Rosebud.No Gravatar (17:01:08) :
I know. Just trying to introduce manners!
———–
Irish, I know you know manners are for intelligent, civilized folks, bless their hearts.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:03 PM
You go Irishgirl !!!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:04 PM
And I don’t believe everything I hear. Polite discussion and dissention is to be welcomed.
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 PM
I bet this guy has been bought.. look how much those lobbyist made off Ted… he’s getting the favor returned folks..
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:05 PM
……..or point out the obvious……since it went right past ‘em…..
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 PM
This is a hoot!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/22/palin-mccains-biggest-mis_n_152857.html
Just think what the outcome could’ve been! Too bad she was muzzled by McCain!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Nite Mudpuppies.
In my polite speak!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Oh Lance, you are keeping me up. I saw that earlier today. Words fail me!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Oh No-o-o-o Sarah………you delusional hillbilly bimbo nut job…….chosing you was the 1st and only mistake !!!!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Geez all this stuff going on, i’m going to start another 3 ring binder, along with more folder tabs.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:07 PM
The mortality stats on whistleblowing aren’t looking particularly promising these days. I hope said whistleblower has protection and keeps out of small planes.
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:12 PM
RE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/22/palin-mccains-biggest-mis_n_152857.html
Once again, it’s ALL about her. I am of a new mind about the incessant interviews–Bring ‘em on! The more she talks, the deeper the hole.
************************
BTW, MudFlatians, I’ve hung up a yellow stocking for AKM in my avatar. Hint, hint, maybe we can fill it with the donate button upper right
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:19 PM
PVWINDYNo Gravatar (17:39:23) :
Geez all this stuff going on, i’m going to start another 3 ring binder, along with more folder tabs.
———–
I feel for you – I’ve been bookmarking in my ‘Palin’s An Idiot’ favorites folder. Talk about busting at the seams:)
December 22nd, 2008 at 6:32 PM
Irishgirl Rosebud. (15:27:36) :
All these goings on in Alaska have done my head in. I can’t keep anything straight anymore – it’s just too confusing!
Me, too, Rosebud! But at least on this one, we have a new Senator. Can you imagine if Stevens had been actually elected? To me, this is a non-issue. Too much other stuff to worry about, like Sarah Palin still running her mounth like I just heard on CNN.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:57 PM
Anyone else think that the Justice Department broke the rules on purpose to give Sen. Ted a get out of jail free card if he got convicted? We know that politics has trumped equitable application of the law in Bush’s justice department.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:59 PM
@AKVoice
~~~~~~~~~~~
I think you took a wrong turn ADN is over there———->
Steven’s got caught, he’s just the first, heads will roll….And I don’t mean Snowzilla’s either!!!
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:13 PM
U.S. News & World Reports also has a biting article about Sarah not returning “Poppy’s” telephone calls. What stands out is the vitriol in the comments section.
I am betting on a mistrial, a new trial and a new conviction.
Happy/Merry [insert preferred seasonal celebration here]!
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:05 AM
In response to the comment about the FBI being the Republican FBI, and this comment also applies to similar comments about the DOJ, keep in mind that the rank-and-file agents and prosecuting attorneys tend to be career people who first and foremost focus on the issues. The vast majority of these folks, despite Monica Goodling’s best Godly efforts, gain their positions by virtue of competence, experience and training. These men and women do the work to which they have been assigned regardless of political affiliation and regardless of the politics of the day.
As to whether Stevens will get a new trial, the judge has set down some very strong hints that he will overturn the verdict based on prosecutorial misconduct. But that’s just a read on his comments. In looking at parts of his prior rulings and comparing those against the current complaints, one needs to keep in mind that he’s already ruled on several of the items within the current complaint and that despite those rulings (most of which were unfavorable to the prosecution), Ted Stevens was still convicted by a jury.
What does that mean? It goes to the issue of whether the prosecutorial misconduct changed the outcome of the trial. My view is that because so much of the current complaint relates to issues previously ruled on and because Stevens was convicted despite those prior rulings, that the Stevens defense team will fail in their most recent efforts.
That will not, however, prevent them from refiling and refiling, hashing and rehashing already settled issues. And failing time after time after time.
But one can never know how a judge will rule until he issues his decision.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 AM
btw – I do not see the Whistleblower item in any of the ADN articles on the matter. Does anyone know of a link to it; I’d like to read it to see what specifically it states. Thanks. And merry xmas to ya alls.
December 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 PM
I so believe this is an intentional setup. Why did they rush Steven’s trial when they did after a many year investigation? My belief is that they wanted to get him tried while Bush was still in office. That way they could set up something so that if Stevens was convicted, there would be basis for overturning the conviction. Once Obama is in office and he controls the Justice Department, I doubt that Stevens would have got anything other than a very competent trial.
The next thing Stevens will do is to call for a new election claiming that it was because of his “false” conviction that he lost the election.
December 23rd, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Katie – you may be onto something……..after watching the lawyer for Gov. Rob in Ill. talk……..I’m paraphrasing ….but essentially he said nothing changed hands……..just alot of blathering on tape……..his demeanor was like” bring it” …….the lawyer is notorious for going all the way to trial….I mean they had R.Kelly on VIDEO boinking the under age girl and he got him off !! There is no denying that Rob is a dipshit but why did they pull the trigger on just idiot talk on the phone ??