Waxman Demands Info Linking White House To Cunningham Probe And Possible Attorney Firing
Waxman Demands Info Linking White House To Cunningham Probe And Possible Attorney Firing
Last Monday, ThinkProgress questioned whether fired U.S. attorney Carol Lam was targeting the White House prior to her dismissal.
We noted the following information that stemmed from Lam’s investigation into former Rep. Duke Cunningham (R-CA): the White House awarded a one-month, $140,000 contract to MZM contractor Mitchell Wade, who had never previously held a federal contract. Two weeks after Wade got paid, he used a cashier’s check for exactly $140,000 to buy a boat for a now-imprisoned congressman (Cunningham) at a price that the congressman had pre-negotiated.
Today, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) wrote a letter to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten demanding “all contracts, subcontracts, and task orders between MZM, Inc. … and the Executive Office of the President“:
According to the Federal Procurement Data System, the Executive Office of the President awarded a one-month, $140,000 contract to MZM, Inc. in July 2002. This appears to have been the company’s first prime contract with the federal government, and it came only two months after MZM was placed on the General Services Administration’s Federal Supply Schedule. Published reports suggest that the contract was to provide computers and office furniture to the Office of the Vice President.
Subsequent investigations have uncovered serious inegularities, and in some cases criminal conduct, by MZM employees, members of Congress, and Bush Administration officials relating to MZM contracts with the federal government. To date, however, there has been no examination of the circumstances surrounding MZM’s initial federal contract and the role that White House officials played in the award and execution of the contract.
In the letter, Waxman requests that the White House provide documents relating to the White House-MZM contracts as soon as possible, but in no case later than Friday, April 6.
Read the full letter here.
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84 Responses to “Waxman Demands Info Linking White House To Cunningham Probe And Possible Attorney Firing”
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Well, good luck with that, Waxman — and here I thought pigs were supposed to sniff out truffles only.
March 26th, 2007 at 5:59 pmWaxman is a “problem” and needs to be “taken care of”.
/sarcasm
March 26th, 2007 at 5:59 pmBut…but…Bill Clinton!
March 26th, 2007 at 6:00 pmI’m starting to get dizzy.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:00 pm…and the hits just keep on comin from the Bush Crime Family!
March 26th, 2007 at 6:01 pmI’m wondering if the Congress has any oversight over the Office of Vice-President either?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:04 pmJake,
F off
March 26th, 2007 at 6:05 pmI’m wondering if the Congress has any oversight over the Office of Vice-President either?
Comment by Jinx — March 26, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Keep wondering slappy.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:06 pmHow does one put someone on ignore?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:07 pmI just can’t take Jake the retard any more.
Waxman . . . the new Fitz . . .
March 26th, 2007 at 6:07 pmexerpts below
it was not hard to spot that White House and Justice Department officials, and members of Congress, may have violated 18 U.S.C. §§ 1501-1520, the federal obstruction of justice statute.
1. Misrepresentations to Congress. The relevant provision, 18 U.S.C. § 1505, is very broad. It is illegal to lie to Congress, and also to “impede†it in getting information. Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty indicated to Congress that the White House’s involvement in firing the United States attorneys was minimal, something that Justice Department e-mail messages suggest to be untrue.
If Mr. Sampson withheld the information from Mr. McNulty, who then misled Congress, Mr. Sampson may have violated § 1505.
2. Calling the Prosecutors. As part of the Sarbanes-Oxley reforms, Congress passed an extremely broad obstruction of justice provision, 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (c), which applies to anyone who corruptly “obstructs, influences, or impedes any official proceeding, or attempts to do so,†including U.S. attorney investigations.
3. Witness Tampering. 18 U.S.C. § 1512 (b) makes it illegal to intimidate Congressional witnesses. Michael Elston, Mr. McNulty’s chief of staff, contacted one of the fired attorneys, H. E. Cummins, and suggested, according to Mr. Cummins, that if he kept speaking out, there would be retaliation.
4. Firing the Attorneys. United States attorneys can be fired whenever a president wants, but not, as § 1512 (c) puts it, to corruptly obstruct, influence, or impede an official proceeding.
Let’s take the case of Carol Lam, United States attorney in San Diego. The day the news broke that Ms. Lam, who had already put one Republican congressman in jail, was investigating a second one, Mr. Sampson wrote an e-mail message referring to the “real problem we have right now with Carol Lam.†He said it made him think that it was time to start looking for a replacement.
http://www.nytimes.com/ 2007/ 03/ 19/ opinion/ 19mon4.html?ex=1331956800&en=ffab854496251b4b&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
March 26th, 2007 at 6:07 pmJake - speaking of pigs showing their true colors. Find any truffles lately?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:07 pmA refresher on “Dukie”
http://tpmmuckraker.com/cunningham.php
March 26th, 2007 at 6:09 pmForTruth:
Hopefully, he doesn’t take any airplane rides in the near future.
CONservative:
You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on whether any crimes took place.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:11 pmRepublican scumbags are bleeding America dry.
-GSD
March 26th, 2007 at 6:13 pmAre you starting to feel a little stupid, yet, Jake? There are no “independents” defending the Bush administration, so you can knock of that phony bit. You’re not an independent. You’re a self-proclaimed Christian Conservative who apparently doesn’t think there’s anything un-Christlike about incessant lying, stealing, and cheating. Nobody’s falling for the silly little word games you play. You know what’s going on as well as we do. The Bush White House is unraveling before your eyes and nothing you say will change it or provide cover for it. It’s over.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:14 pmCONservative:
You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on whether any crimes took place.
Comment by Jake
Works for me, gotta get going anyway. God bless.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:19 pmJake has close working knowledge pig behavior.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:21 pmJake this is from the WND site (Independent).
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
March 26th, 2007 at 6:23 pmEmbattled AG now accused
in sex scandal ‘cover-up’
Attorney General Gonzales among officials
who allegedly ignored all-night boy parties
U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton, both already under siege for other matters, are now being accused of failing to prosecute officers of the Texas Youth Commission after a Texas Ranger investigation documented that guards and administrators were sexually abusing the institution’s minor boy inmates.
Comment by Rocks911 — March 26, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
I’m with Rocks911. I think that we should just let Jake talk to himself. Why waste your time knocking down his stupid strawmen, his “arguments” are meaningless. Try shunning this adolescent pretending to be an old man.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:26 pmWerldNutDaily is Independent?
I consider it to be the super dooper far right, which is so far right, it intersects with the super dooper far left nut- PrisonPlanet. They both love to go off about the Bilderburgs and stuff.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:26 pmONservative:
You and I are going to have to agree to disagree on whether any crimes took place.
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 6:11 pm
At least until the jury comes in with “Guilty” verdicts.
Of course, even then Jake will “agree to disagree”.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:27 pmIts so beautiful having adults in charge again. Rooting out illegalities. Focusing on substantive issues that affect the integrity of the government rather than being hung up on cum-stained blue dresses.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:27 pmGod, it’s great to have Henry Waxman running committees again.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pmShit. I should have started writing all of these down. I’m losing track! :D
**dancing around my office**
March 26th, 2007 at 6:28 pmWerldNutDaily is Independent?
They claim to be, from ther site:
About WND
WorldNetDaily.com can best be explained by its mission statement:
“WorldNetDaily.com Inc. is an independent news company dedicated to uncompromising journalism, seeking truth and justice and revitalizing the role of the free press as a guardian of liberty
March 26th, 2007 at 6:29 pmJake . . . Standard bearer of the Right.
Chuckle.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:29 pmI like to lick fingers and stick them in my butt
March 26th, 2007 at 6:30 pmZep,
World Net Daily’s nickname is World Nut Daily.
Just sayin’
March 26th, 2007 at 6:34 pmWell, good luck with that, Waxman — and here I thought pigs were supposed to sniff out truffles only.
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
Good one Jake. Waxman’s the pig in this story. So did you get your $140,000 contract too. Or did you get a boat.
These people are so stupid they thought a cashiers check would keep them out of trouble. No wonder Jake the Snake relates so well to these people.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:34 pmWell, good luck with that, Waxman — and here I thought pigs were supposed to sniff out truffles only. Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 5:59 pm
No one informed you? Pigs like you prefer to wallow in sh*t, only smart pigs dig for truffles…
March 26th, 2007 at 6:36 pmI like to lick fingers and stick them in my butt
Comment by Jake
Try Charmin =)
March 26th, 2007 at 6:36 pmI wonder if everybody knows nothing can be done without my approval.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:37 pmZep,
World Net Daily’s nickname is World Nut Daily.
Just sayin’
Comment by Zooey
Ooo I know, just wanted to get Jakes fingers all moist =)
March 26th, 2007 at 6:38 pmI’m wondering if the Congress has any oversight over the Office of Vice-President either?
Comment by Jake
Don’t overheat your brains with all that thinking dimwit
You might want to slosh some of that water you carry for Bush over your head to keep it cool, Mr Independant (MyA$$)
March 26th, 2007 at 6:44 pmNew Rule: No fat white men are allowed to work in or as a contractor work for the government.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:45 pmZooey - charge #457 give or take 100 against the administration.
I’m doing a “happy dance” here too. Let’s pretend we’re dancing on Jake’s posting grave. He’s going to have to give it up soon.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:46 pmOoo I know, just wanted to get Jakes fingers all moist =)
Comment by Zep Tepi
Oh, ok. Nevermind…. :D
March 26th, 2007 at 6:47 pmZep,
World Net Daily’s nickname is World Nut Daily.
Just sayin’
Comment by Zooey
I think Jake is more into weeklyworldnews.com
New headline:
“Batboy sighted on Subway giving Jake more Bush water carrying tips”
Heh
March 26th, 2007 at 6:48 pmDukie Cunningham connected to Mitchell Wade connected to Katherine Harris and the Stolen Election of 2000 in Florida….stay tuned to see how brother Jebbie fits into this not-so-complex puzzle!
March 26th, 2007 at 6:50 pmJake-o is the quintessential Fake-o….(among other things which are less obvious) and our illiterate troll-o’-the-week flavor. Ignore him and he’ll slime back into his greasy corner.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:52 pmRe: Photo here of Mitchell Wade
I thought it was true, as per Pinocchio syndrome, that lying made one’s nose grow??? I think the nursery rhyme needs to be changed now - it looks like Mitch Wade has grown about three chins unless he’s sprouting a few goiters in there as well? Butt-tug-ugly sucker, this one surely is….yikes! Scary!
March 26th, 2007 at 6:54 pmAnd the white house band played on…..Casey would waltz with the strawberry blonde and the band played on…..
There’s not one shred of credibility or trust left in this white house so no one’s listening any longer. Everyone with an intellect has their mind made up….they’re history….and the fat lady is rising to begin her swan song!
March 26th, 2007 at 6:55 pmJake likes to stick his fingers in his butt . . . THEN lick them.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:56 pmWell that is just a coincidence now isnt it… oh ya sure it is.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:56 pmJake-o is the quintessential Fake-o….(among other things which are less obvious) and our illiterate troll-o’-the-week flavor. Ignore him and he’ll slime back into his greasy corner.
Comment by veritas
Carefull or you will end up on his “The List” with me and a few others.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:58 pmhehehe
That Mitchell Wade, ummm-hmmm, he even looks like a Republican. So many of these people have that whiney-doughboy kinda look.
March 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pmJake,
First, you are not posting here to contribute to the discussion, or to learn. Your posts are intended to disrupt and derail the thread. Time and time again your “positions†are refuted on one thread, but you repeatedly post the same nonsense.
Second, you are not a 75 year-old veteran as you claim. I don’t know who you are and don’t really care, except that you are an imposter.
Third, you are wrong 100% of the time. You are a sycophant, one of the piss ants sent out from the nest to defend the queen ant. You are a mindless, senseless, sexless drone.
And finally, how do I get on this list? I see the people on the list and I am jealous, it would be an honor to be categorized with ones so interesting, smart and funny. I understand that you have to post something disgusting, so let me give it a shot.
The most vile, despicable and disgusting thing I can come up with is you and your ilk’s support of Bush and Bush’s War. You are elbow deep in the blood of our finest soldiers. Their lives should haunt you to your grave, their suffering from loss of limbs and piece of mind should be yours. The tears of their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and friends should be your shower. Bush supporters are traitors and should suffer a traitor’s death.
Vile enough for you?
March 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pmTo back up WND and Zep Tepi with another source,
Sex Abuse of Juveniles In Texas Covered Up
http://www.cleveland.com/ news/ plaindealer/ index.ssf?/ base/ news/ 117327090143970.xml&coll=2
March 26th, 2007 at 6:59 pmCarefull or you will end up on his “The List†with me and a few others.
hehehe
Comment by Wayne
I made it on the list today. By now, I think I must be on page 12.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm“Batboy sighted on Subway giving Jake more Bush water carrying tipsâ€
Heh
Comment by Wayne
:P
March 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm#49. I have to admit that if I lived in a town named Peyote I’d probably forget a few things that needed covering up also.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:04 pm#
I’m wondering if the Congress has any oversight over the Office of Vice-President either?
Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
Again Jake, Article II, Section 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Hard to impeach without oversight…yes?
March 26th, 2007 at 7:05 pmThat Mitchell Wade, ummm-hmmm, got a quart of 10W40 in that hair too. What you gotta do, stop by Jiffy Lube for your Saturday night bath?
March 26th, 2007 at 7:10 pmI think I caught a Mitchell Wade fish on my last deep sea outing. I mean if I imagine his puss with a hook in it…..it’s a dead ringer.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:16 pmimpeachcheneythenbush:
No.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:21 pmdlet, it’s not right to diss fish like that. I’m betting what you caught wasn’t a fish at all, but something else entirely, something that was discharged from a passing ocean liner after an attack of salmonella.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:28 pmI’m wondering if the Congress has any oversight over the Office of Vice-President either? Comment by Jake — March 26, 2007 @ 6:04 pm
So you’re arguing that Congress has the responsibility to *fund*, but no *oversight*? BHAAHAHA, you really are a st*pid little twerp aren’t you bullsh*t boy?
March 26th, 2007 at 7:29 pmWade gets 140K from Cheney, two weeks later, Wade buys Rep. Cunningham (r) a 140K boat. Lam convicts Cunningham for bribery.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:46 pmLam gets fired by bush (rove or gonzales or sampson, or meiers or well, somebody at the white house). Simple math, even jake can understand.
Wow! Another great breaking story from TP. If you aren’t careful you’re going to get a fantastic reputation.
Thanks.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:49 pmJoke is an attention seeking Loser. He probably also tries to rile up people at conservative sites by pretending to be a uninformed liberal. Do not encourage him. Do not respond to his postings. It only serves to give him the attention he so desparately craves.
March 26th, 2007 at 7:50 pm“Simple math, even jake can understand.
Comment by helenahandbasket — March 26, 2007 @ 7:46 pm”
Nahhh……
He’s to dense……
March 26th, 2007 at 7:50 pmGiven the obvious corruption and politicization of the DoJ, we’ll need a brigade of Independent Prosecutors to get at the truth that the Republican Crime Syndicate is obviously desperate to obstruct.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:09 pmWaxman and his excellent staffers have been on Bush’s trail for years now, biding their time, and doing the research. They couldn’t DO anything about it till now. Look for an Explosion of material that Bush will definitely NOT LIKE. Go get’em Waxman.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:18 pmDIG IN DEEP, Henry!!!! ROOT OUT THEM repugnant-repub LYING TRUFFLES—-DON’T PAY NO MIND TO GETTING DIRT ALL OVER THOSE GAWKING Blogosphere TROLLS ABOVE CASTING ASPERSIONS AT YOUR RIGHTFUL DUTIES—-KICK THAT DIRT AND SMEAR SHIT RIGHT BACK IN THOSE Jake-ASSES’ FACES!!!!! YEAH!!!! YEEEEHHHHHAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!! HELL FOR W’S!!!!!
March 26th, 2007 at 8:47 pmGo Henry Go
Is this guy the only one with balls or what.
I want to move to his district!
March 26th, 2007 at 9:16 pm[…] Think Progress » Waxman Demands Info Linking White House To Cunningham Probe And Possible Attorney … […]
March 26th, 2007 at 9:21 pm#19 Zep Tepi
WorldNetDaily Exclusive
Embattled AG now accused
in sex scandal ‘cover-up’
Embattled AG now accused in sex scandal ‘cover-up’
What surprises me is who wrote the piece. If you don’t remember seeing Jerome Corsi’s name during the ‘04 election, do a Google search. He was the co-author with John O’Neill of a Swift Boat Liars attack book on Kerry. If a right-winger like him is attacking Gonzales now, I wonder how much longer Abu’s going to last.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:38 pmtime for america to talk to its youth about debt-consolidation as they will be footing the bill. shame.
March 26th, 2007 at 9:51 pmWell, you just look like a swell guy there, Wade….
March 26th, 2007 at 9:58 pmthis might be kind of low… is it just me, or does Wade look like Butthead?
March 26th, 2007 at 10:20 pmHe looks like Jabba the Hutt
March 26th, 2007 at 10:20 pm[…] [Via Think Progress] […]
March 27th, 2007 at 1:33 amHere’s my detailed look at MZM’s contracts from a post I wrote this Sunday. It tracks the GSA BPA that was signed in May 2002 that the White House used to assign the $140,000 task order. It also tracks two other BPAs that MZM used to rake in millions.
March 27th, 2007 at 1:36 amhttp://www.docstrangelove.com/ 2007/ 03/ 26/ carol-lam-vs-the-white-house-gravy-train
“I understand that some people would think that that is not a good idea, and I understand the inconsistency of my own statement…”
Pure Bush evasionism. He says he understands and empathizes with virtually all criminal complaints against his administration, as long as we the people understand that he will change nothing and will continue his hideously dangerous and illegal policies.
Bush has to learn how to wash toilet paper, which could be a bit of a stretch for him. As I write, he and Cheney have their heads positioned above one of the White House commodes. They are gazing deep into their brown confluent legacy and are wondering how to make it smell better. Bush raises his head and calls out, “Tony, go out and buy a blow drier.” “Do ya think it will work?” asks Cheney. “If it doesn’t, ya wanna buy half of my ranch in Paraguay? “Done,” Cheney replies. “Get one and two ready, ya know, gassed up and all, get a couple billion cash and have it wrapped in plastic bags on pallets, like we did in Iraq. Let’s leave the wives here. Oh, tell Condi to come along and tell her to pack for a couple months,” Bush adds, with a sly wink. Cheney relishes the confidentiality and gets on board with: “We’re going on a presidential retreat to think things through. Only three members of the team will be needed. Our return date is open ended.” “Good,” says Bush. “And find out how much we can get for a couple used 747s.”
March 27th, 2007 at 2:35 amIf Bushiva and L’il Dick “stonewall” this one…
…ALL HELL should break loose…
March 27th, 2007 at 9:11 am[…] was the White House getting for the $140,000 contract it had with corrupt Cunningham-linked contractor Mitchell Wade? Josh Marshall found out. […]
March 28th, 2007 at 10:20 am[…] Wade was able to receive a federal contract from the Vice President’s office without having any previous experience. From 1991-93, Wade worked in Cheney’s Pentagon as an intelligence […]
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 am[…] Wade was able to receive a federal contract from the Vice President’s office without having any previous experience. From 1991-93, Wade worked in Cheney’s Pentagon as an intelligence […]
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:11 am[…] March 26, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) wrote a letter to White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten demanding “all contracts, subcontracts, and task […]
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