Sampson Admits He Made Call To Silence FBI Complaints Over Lam’s Firing
Sampson Admits He Made Call To Silence FBI Complaints Over Lam’s Firing
During today’s hearing, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) questioned Kyle Sampson about the head of the FBI office in San Diego, Dan Dzwilewski, who told reporters in January that Carol Lam’s firing was a blow to efforts to prosecute ongoing cases.
At a hearing with FBI Director Robert Mueller this week, Feinstein said that Dzwilewski’s office had told her it had subsequently been contacted and “warned to say no more.” Under questioning today, Sampson acknowledged he had made a call to complain about Dzwilewski’s statement. But Sampson said he had merely “asked…why an FBI employee was commenting on that issue.” Watch it:
Also today, Sampson claimed that the “real problem” with Carol Lam that Sampson referred to in an email “was her office’s prosecution of immigration cases.”
Feinstein told Sampson, “It is a real surprise to me that you would say here that the reason for her dismissal was immigration cases.” She then revealed a letter of commendation to Carol Lam dated Feb. 15, 2007, signed by the director of field operations of the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. She read some excerpts to Sampson:
To address the alien enforcement issue, your office supported the implementation of the Alien Smuggling Fast Track Program, and has demonstrated a commitment to aggressively address the alien smuggling recidivism rate.
In support of Border Patrol referrals for prosecution, your office maintains a 100 percent acceptance rate of criminal cases while staunchly refusing to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors and maintaining a minimal dismissal rate and supporting special prosecution efforts.
The letter (see a full copy HERE) concludes, “I speak for my entire staff when I say that we are honored to have had the privilege of working with you and your staff for the past four years. … Again, thank you for your support; you will be missed.”
Transcript:
FEINSTEIN: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I’d like to go back to your answers to Senator Specter’s questions, when he asked you about the notice you received on the search warrant on May 10th, 2006, and you indicate — and he asked you if that was related — the real problem aspect was related to this case. And you said no, it was her immigration record. I’m sending — asking my chief counsel to give you a letter and asking that that letter be also distributed to the committee as well as to the press. This is a letter dated February 15th…
LEAHY: And does the senator want that in the record also?
FEINSTEIN: I would. Thank you very much.
LEAHY: Without objection.
FEINSTEIN: … September 15, 2007, signed by the director of field operations of the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency. It’s sent to Carol Lam. And it is a letter of commendation, and I will just read a few sections.
To address the alien enforcement issue, your office supported the implementation of the Alien Smuggling Fast Track Program, and has demonstrated a commitment to aggressively address the alien smuggling recidivism rate.
In support of Border Patrol referrals for prosecution, your office maintains a 100 percent acceptance rate of criminal cases while staunchly refusing to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors and maintaining a minimal dismissal rate and supporting special prosecution efforts.
In validation of enforcement initiatives, your staff aggressively prosecuted enrollees in the Sentry program who engaged in smuggling to support a zero-tolerance posture. They have focused on cases of fraud, special-interest aliens, prosecution of criminal aliens and supported our sustained disrupt operations.
The prosecution’s unit presented 416 alien smuggling cases, which represents a 33 percent increase over the 314 cases presented in ‘05. The prosecutions unit identified and pursued the prosecution of several recidivist alien smugglers and presented 30 non-threshold alien smuggling cases for prosecution, resulting in a 100 percent conviction rate. This represents a 329 percent increase over the seven non-threshold cases presented in 2005.
Additionally, a cumulation study done by USA Today places Carol Lam as one of the top three attorneys in the United States for the prosecution of these cases. It is a real surprise to me that you would say here that the reason for her dismissal was immigration cases. Now, if I might go on, who, Mr. Sampson, was Dusty Foggo or is Dusty Foggo?
SAMPSON: I understand from news reports, Senator, and from general knowledge, that he was an employee at the CIA.
FEINSTEIN: And who is Mr. Wilkes?
SAMPSON: I don’t know. I understand, again from news reports, that he’s affiliated somehow with Mr. Foggo.
FEINSTEIN: And are you aware that on May 10th Carol Lam sent a notice to the Department of Justice saying she would be seeking a search warrant of the CIA investigation into Dusty Foggo and Brent Wilkes?
SAMPSON: I don’t remember ever seeing such a notice.
FEINSTEIN: But the next day you wrote the e-mail which says, The real problem we have right now — right now — with Carol Lam that leads me to conclude we should have someone ready to be nominated on 11/18, the day after her four-year term expires, that that relates to her immigration record.
SAMPSON: The real problem that I was referring to in that e-mail was her office’s failure to being sufficient immigration cases.
FEINSTEIN: OK.
SAMPSON: The attorney general in the month before had been subject to criticism at his — at a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. And thereafter at the Department of Justice, in our senior management meeting with the deputy attorney general and others, there had been a robust discussion about how to address that issue.
The department was being criticized for not doing enough to enforce the border, largely by House Republicans. And the attorney general was concerned about it. And he asked the deputy attorney general to take some action to address that issue.
I recall also that the deputy attorney general was scheduled to meet with the California House Republicans, who were critical of Carol Lam, on May 11th.
FEINSTEIN: Let me just move on.
On January 13th, Dan Dzwilewski, the head of the FBI office in San Diego, said that he thought Carol Lam’s continued employment was crucial to the success of multiple ongoing investigations.
FEINSTEIN: Did you call FBI headquarters and complain about those comments?
SAMPSON: I did. I called Lisa Monaco (ph), who serves as a special assistant to the director of the FBI, and asked her why an FBI employee was commenting on that issue.
FEINSTEIN: And why would you think that the special agent in charge in the area should not comment on whether her termination was going to affect cases?
SAMPSON: I understood that Carol Lam was a political appointee, and that a decision had been made in the executive branch to ask her to resign so that others could serve.
FEINSTEIN: OK.
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Uh oh.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:02 pmIs it the policy of DoJ to approve all such statements to the press, or not? Did anyone at FBI violate said policy, or not?
March 29th, 2007 at 2:03 pmIt’s like watching a free fall from a tall precipice in slow motion.
Without parachute.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:04 pmOf course, when Clinton and Reno made the decision(s) to ask U.S. Attorneys to resign so that other political appointee could serve, that was O.K. with Feinstein — yeah right.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:08 pmThis is the way it should be: Democrats in power, Republicans testifying under oath.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:09 pmOf course, when Clinton and Reno made the decision(s) to ask U.S. Attorneys to resign so that other political appointee could serve, that was O.K. with Feinstein — yeah right. Comment by Jake — March 29, 2007 @ 2:08 pm
Did you say *force* another attorney to resign, and then claim it was because of poor performance? Yeah, that’s what happened under Clinton – son. You’re a st*pid little right wing piece of sh*t – aren’t you SON?
March 29th, 2007 at 2:11 pmIt only took up to comment #4 for the troll to screech: “Clinton did it!”
We need smarter (or at least more original) trolls. Quick.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:13 pm“Of course, when Clinton and Reno made the decision(s) to ask U.S. Attorneys to resign so that other political appointee could serve, that was O.K. with Feinstein — yeah right.
Comment by Jake — March 29, 2007 @ 2:08 pm”
HEY Dip $hit!!!!
ALL presidents do that at the begining of thier terms…… You have been told this OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER………..
Even GWB did it when he came into office!!!
** Shaking head in amazement over Jakes Ignorance and Stupidity **
March 29th, 2007 at 2:13 pmValiantVenusGrewFromUranus, sometimes you make me ALMOST feel sorry for Jake!
March 29th, 2007 at 2:14 pmIt is EXACTLY THE SAME when an incoming President replaces all of the US Attorneys to appoint his own people, as when a sitting President replaces some or all US Attorneys to prosecute political opponents and obstruct investigations and prosecutions of political allies.
IF LAURA BUSH WERE REPLACING THE US ATTORNEYS WITH PROSTITUTES, DON’T YOU THINK THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT?
March 29th, 2007 at 2:16 pmA very appropriate song by a group with an even more appropriate name perfectly applies here:
“When the Sh*t Hits the Fan” by the Circle Jerks.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:16 pm#8 RB:
^^^
…Jakes WILLFUL Ignorance…
March 29th, 2007 at 2:17 pmFor the record, Clinton dismissed U.S. Attorneys AFTER 1993 — but with all these cries about “GONZALES LIED” at least I’m beginning to understand how you all felt before Clinton admitted he lied — no wonder you guys were so pissed defending him.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:19 pmDon’t cry for me, criticalthinker. I never left you. I kept me promise — you’re not on the Ignore List” at least ; )
March 29th, 2007 at 2:21 pmGeorge Bush’s illegal immigration policy is to grant amnesty and working permits to illegal aliens.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:21 pmWhy would Bush’s Justice Department be looking for US Attorneys to prosecute illegal aliens when it goes against Bush admistration policies?
From Sid Blumenthal at Salon (I think this captures extremely well what’s going on with Bush Admin):
March 29th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
legaleze:
Congressional oversight of DoJ is more than appropriate — Congressional oversight of the White House itself violates separation of powers — I’ve quoted plenty of caselaw on threads below.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:24 pmI know I’m as guilty as anyone, but please, let’s just ignore Jake. He’s a willfully ignorant troll with nothing to contribute.
Call me a flip-flopper on engaging Jake if you want. I’m calling for a moratorium on feeding brain-dead trolls. Let’s all put Jake on an Ignore Listâ„¢.
Thanks for your cooperation.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:33 pmSo, I guess that mean KRank decided NOT to answer my pending question from that other thread. So noted.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:36 pmJake: “Don’t cry for me, criticalthinker. I never left you. I kept me promise — you’re not on the Ignore List†at least ; )”
Memo to Criticalthinker: all you have to do to get on the list is post something like “F*ck you, Jake. Roast in hell!” Then, you get on the mythical “Ignore list,” a list which exists in Jake’s mind since there is no web-based method on this site for actually ignoring posters (as there is at The Nation, for example).
It’s great to be on the imaginary list because you can point out Jake’s delusions and lies and, although he can’t directly respond, he sees the post. The dumbass has backed himself into a corner where he reads posts, but can’t do anything about them. It’s great. Try it. The imaginary list grows each day and soon, Jake will be ignoring almost everyone!
Here’s a potential list-making post: Jake, since the fact that a gay male whore making unauthorized visits at night to the Bush Whitehouse doesn’t bother you, I’m going to assume that you are a gay male whore.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:38 pmGosh, I just realized it:
Silence… of the Lam’s…
Sorry, couldn’t resist the words play.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:39 pmJake’s List is the greatest thing since the Internet troll was first invented by sK8tR in 1995. Jake posts some stupid crap that doesn’t make any since or is completely false, you debunk his entire one or two sentence post and then THERE IS NO REPLY. It is great. I love being on The List ™
March 29th, 2007 at 2:50 pmWow. #4 is one mighty dead talking point to be bringing up now, Jake.
Pathetic. Very, very pathetic.
March 29th, 2007 at 2:55 pmCall me a flip-flopper on engaging Jake if you want. I’m calling for a moratorium on feeding brain-dead trolls. Let’s all put Jake on an Ignore List™.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Comment by KRank
Which should also include talking about J**e. Discussing trolls is apparently just as exciting to them as having people yell at them. The phenomenon is also known as being an “attention suck.”
March 29th, 2007 at 2:55 pmCan I get on the The List â„¢?
Please? cause you’re a tool. http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/10252.html
March 29th, 2007 at 2:58 pmNo problem, Steve-O. For the record, I did not think it was wrong when Clinton (or even Carter as I have pointed out in several threads) replaced U.S. Attorneys for political reasons either — if anyone (NOT on the “Ignore List”) wishes to discuss that, you know where to find me.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:02 pmOK OK , so they did a little something wrong. Do you Democrats want anything useful? Nothing will come of this. It just makes me want to eat more cheetohs and take a nap.
Wake me when this is over. Right now im going to play PS3
March 29th, 2007 at 3:09 pmNo problem, Steve-O. For the record, I did not think it was wrong when Clinton (or even Carter as I have pointed out in several threads) replaced U.S. Attorneys for political reasons either — if anyone (NOT on the “Ignore Listâ€) wishes to discuss that, you know where to find me. Comment by Jake — March 29, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
That’s because there was a Senate Confirmation process, and these events never pointed back to the President obstructing Justice. But that kind of *criminal-subtlety* would be lost on a Natural Born Crook – like yourself – right SON? Dum bass.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:13 pmOK OK , so they did a little something wrong. Do you Democrats want anything useful? Nothing will come of this. It just makes me want to eat more cheetohs and take a nap. Wake me when this is over. Right now im going to play PS3 Comment by Jake — March 29, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
A 75 year old, eating his cheetohs, and playing his PS3? BAHAHAHA, yeah *right* jake. More like a *7* year old!
If nothing is going to happen, why are right wingnuts like you desperately trying to *shut-it-down*?
BAHAHA, you’re such a little partisan *hack* NHIndy! Grow a pair of b*lls, and act like a *man* for a change – will you SON?
March 29th, 2007 at 3:15 pmSteve-O sez:
Would you like to borrow my form, Steve-O?
(Just substitute your own information, and post it in any thread where Jake is displaying his idiocy:)
Just fill out and submit, and you’ll never have to hold another tedious dialog with Jake again. Liberating, isn’t it? ^_^
March 29th, 2007 at 3:21 pmJake the Troll sounds like a PR person I once met who thought the sinking of the Exxon Valdez was either a career nightmare or the challenge of a lifetime. It cheers me to see Jake admit that wrongdoing has happened. It’s the breaking of the dike. For all the spin and misleading comparisons cannot put HumptyDumpty together again. This DoJ is toast. Expect Gonzales’ resignation tomorrow at tea time. And a whole lot more resignations to follow.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:24 pmYou have to love it when someone like Feinstein says you are corrupt, kind of like being called perverted by Bill Clinton.
Feinstein blazes trail for women
… and that trail could lead to prison.
Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein was forced to resign as chairwoman of the Military Construction Appropriations subcommittee amid reports that her husband, Richard Blum, owned two major defense contractors, which were awarded billions of dollars for military construction projects approved by Feinstein.
Wow. That makes Democratic Congressman William Jefferson’s $90,000 bribe in the fridge look like chump change.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:31 pmI wear lacy undies.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:38 pmLast week USA Today crunched the statistics and found that Lam ranked seventh among her 93 peers in successful prosecutions for 2006, with immigration violations accounting for the largest single crime category prosecuted during her tenure.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/032507B.shtml
March 29th, 2007 at 3:39 pm#32 If this is true throw her in jail with the rest of the war profiteers like Cheney. Unlike you righty hypocrites I don’t have selective morality when it comes to those kinds of people.
March 29th, 2007 at 3:41 pm#32,
The whole damn thing is run by the military industrial complex now isn’t it?
March 29th, 2007 at 4:00 pmHey Patrick1, Do you have a link to that information about Sen. Feinstein? Put up or shut up boy. Probably a Wingnut Site is were you got that.
March 29th, 2007 at 4:17 pmPathetic Troll, Pathetic
TYPICAL BLOGOSPHERE troll LYING SWIFT-BOAT SMEARS—–YOU MISERABLE F*CKERS AREN’T CONVINCING ANYONE WITH YA Rovian LIES AND INNUENDO, BASE CALUMNY—-WHEN YA F*CKTWATS CAN’T DEFEND YA PRECIOUS MONKEY-BOY CHIMPya and Bushland Uber Allies, YA GO ON YA PITIFUL GIRLY-MAN FLAILING ATTACKS AND HOPE YOUR SPECIOUS LIES CONVINCE THE GULLIBLE OUT THERE—NOT ME, YOU MISERABLE SCUM!!!!! I MAY BE VICIOUS AND BLASPHEMOUS BUT AT LEAST I AM SPEAKING THE TRUTH ABOUT Bushland Uber Allies SCUM AND THEIR PERVERTED HYPOCRISY!!!!! SO PUT THAT IN YA CRACKPIPES AND SMOKE IT, troll SCUM!!!!!
March 29th, 2007 at 4:51 pmYou think former USA Lam might have had something to do w/ this successful prosecution?
“SAN DIEGO — Sentencing was scheduled Monday for a former Customs and Border Protection officer who admitted allowing hundreds of illegal immigrants to be smuggled through his inspection lane in return for cash and gifts.â€
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/113850…..d=10101581
March 29th, 2007 at 5:29 pm#39 Odd, that would be an immigration case. Nah, can’t be, McNulty says she didn’t prosecute immigration cases.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:40 pmStill waiting for somone to point out that:
HAD LAM NOT BEEN SO BUSY WITH A CORRUPT CONGRESSMAN AND THE SCUM THAT ATTACHED TO HIS UNDERBELLY SHE WOULD HAVE HAD TIME TO PROSECUTE MORE IMMIGRATION CASES
I guess corrupt congressmen have caused our immigration problem.
March 29th, 2007 at 5:52 pmFeinstein is one tough, emasculating woman! She castrated Kyle with one fell swoop; of course, I’m wondering if this guy’s testicles have dropped yet myself??
March 29th, 2007 at 7:30 pm[...] Think Progress (video of Feinstein lambasting Sampson is also on there): Feinstein told Sampson, “It is a real surprise to me that you would say here that the reason for [...]
March 29th, 2007 at 8:11 pmRuh, Rooo
March 29th, 2007 at 8:43 pmSen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has abruptly walked away from her responsibilities with the Senate Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee after a report linked her votes to the financial well-being of her husband’s companies, which received billions of dollars worth of military construction contracts she approved.
March 30th, 2007 at 1:36 amFeinstein yea what a tale to be told…
Oligarchy Rules!!! (hic)
March 30th, 2007 at 1:41 amIntegrity is to politicians as virtue is to whores. It matters not which political party the politican claims to represent .. the most we can hope to see from them is an occasional action that in the best interests of the USA .. if .. it is also in their own best interests.
March 30th, 2007 at 8:16 am