Is Speaker Hastert ‘in the mix’ of a bribery investigation?

May 24, 2006

[tag]ABC News[/tag]’ [tag]Brian Ross[/tag] has what may be a blockbuster scoop. There are, however, some lingering questions.

The [tag]Speaker of the House[/tag] of Representatives, [tag]Dennis Hastert[/tag], is [tag]under investigation[/tag] by the [tag]FBI[/tag], which is seeking to determine his role in an ongoing public [tag]corruption[/tag] probe into members of Congress, ABC News has learned from senior U.S. law enforcement officials.

Federal officials say the information implicating Hastert was developed from convicted [tag]lobbyists[/tag] who are now cooperating with the government.

Part of the investigation involves a letter Hastert wrote three years ago, urging the Secretary of the Interior to block a casino on an Indian reservation that would have competed with other tribes.

The other tribes were represented by convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff who reportedly has provided details of his dealings with Hastert as part of his plea agreement with the government.

The letter was written shortly after a fund-raiser for Hastert at a restaurant owned by Abramoff. Abramoff and his clients contributed more than $26,000 at the time.

There are several points to consider. First, not only does Hastert’s office deny this, the [tag]Justice Department[/tag] is formally denying it too. A Justice Department official told Reuters: “The story is wrong. Hastert is not under [tag]investigation[/tag].”

On the other hand, Brian Ross’ report cites word from “senior U.S. law enforcement [tag]officials[/tag],” as in plural. Ross is a pretty solid reporter and his report suggests more than one source.

One thing that’s bugging me, though, is that [tag]ABC[/tag] News reported this on their blog, but as of now, there’s no mention of it on ABC News’ regular news website. If the network had a blockbuster news scoop, that no other outlet seems to have, why not put it on ABCNews.com? It seems odd.

Having said that, Hastert has been the subject of speculation for quite a while. Think Progress has a helpful backgrounder with information on the questions that have been raised to date about Hastert, [tag]Abramoff[/tag], and the [tag]Coushatta[/tag] campaign.

If true, the notion of a sitting House Speaker facing a federal corruption investigation would not only be stunning, it would seriously shake the political world. Needless to say, stay tuned.

ABC News led with this “exclusive” on their broadcast.

  • Newsie is right, tonight ABC News did a big several minute story on it, so they’re certainly running with it. ABC is writing up stories, and at least one local affil has published one.

  • If this is true it might go a long way to explaining Hastert’s reaction to the FBI’s incursion into Jefferson’s office. Enlightened self interest.

  • ET, that was my first thought, too. And I figure this must be a big story: CB is posting at night for it! 🙂

    After some of the recent news scandals like the 60 Minutes fiasco, I have trouble believing ABC, a major, corporate news operation, would lead with a several minute story if they weren’t pretty darn sure it had some basis.

    This could take the “culture of corruption” theme to a whole new level.

  • First thought: Please, oh please, oh pretty please.
    Second thought: An evening post from CB. Awesome.
    Third thought: Steve, you should consider hiring a night shift.

  • I wonder if one of the senior officials is Gonzales or if the story was leaked at Gonzales’ behest. Gonzales may have been pissed at Hastert’s grandstanding over the search of Jefferson’s office.

  • This just in from Raw Story: Hastert is apparently miffed at ABC.

    “Ron Bonjean, Communications Director for Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) issued the following statement regarding the ABC Nightly News story that aired this evening:

    “The ABC News report is absolutely untrue. As confirmed by the Justice Department, ‘Speaker Hastert is not under investigation by the Justice Department.’ We are demanding a full retraction of the ABC News story. The Speaker’s earlier statement issued today accurately reflects the facts regarding this matter.”

  • “Read about how only 20 people showed up at the national “Draft Hillary” kickoff rally.”

    But… but… but…
    I thought Hillary was THE LEADING democratic candidate?

    I mean… that IS the skinny that corporate media has been trying to shovel down our throats for the last six months.

    I’ve said it on other threads, might as well say it here:

    Hillary is the only Democrat that can lose in 2008.
    That’s why she is being shoveled on us.

    Watch very closely folks…
    Watch how coporate media is trying to set the table.
    Watch very closely….

  • We missed Fitzmas, but Hastertorial Day would be a nice new holiday. … deconstructing the conservative edifice one big brick at a time.

  • This is from the transcript of Ross’ report on ABC’s World News Tonight:

    We’re told the investigation is in its very early stages and the allegations may well be unfounded, but its clear the FBI won’t hesitate to take the leads to the very top.

    Also, Kevin has a post explaining why a campaign contribution which ordinarily would be legal may not be in this case.

  • Bush to Hastert: I own your ass. I can put you in jail anytime. Legit. Do what I want, when I want or you’ll be in jail.
    ———-
    Investigation of Congress is a good thing but the additional consolidation of power in the White House is not.

  • Following i dunno‘s train of thought (comment #14), do you suppose that Bush would want the House to “play nice” with the Senate and pass an immigration bill this year?

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