Former Justice Official Suspects Foul Play In Election-Timed Indictments
Former Justice Official Suspects Foul Play In Election-Timed Indictments
Five days before the 2006 mid-term elections, Bradley Schlozman, then the U.S. Attorney for Western Missouri, filed indictments against four voter registration recruiters for the community organization group ACORN.
The timing of the indictments contradicted long standing Justice Department policy, which advises that “most, if not all, investigations of an alleged election crime must await the end of the election,” to avoid influencing the outcome.
During testimony Tuesday, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) asked Schlozman why he had violated this policy by bringing indictments so close to an election. Schlozman deflected the question, saying that he he had only “acted at the direction” of Craig Donsanto, the director of the Election Crimes branch in the Public Integrity section. Watch it:
Donsanto literally wrote the Justice Department’s manual on how to approach election crimes. Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias told TPMMuckraker that it is highly unlikely that Donsanto authorized the indictments. “I had numerous conversations with [Donsanto] over the course of two years, I can’t believe that he’d have gone 180 degrees on that policy,” Iglesias said. “I just don’t believe it.”
At a press conference attended by ThinkProgress today, Joseph Rich, who ran the Justice Department’s voting rights section from 1999 to 2005, concurred with Iglesias assessment. “That would have been my judgement,” said Rich.
Rich also implied that foul play may have had a role in the indictments. “Schlozman’s the person who recommended those lawsuits, he pushed to get them,” said Rich. “And I suspect [Schlozman] pressured Donsanto.”
Rich suggested that Schlozman may have appealed to Donsanto’s superiors. “I’ve heard that Schlozman talked to [Michael] Elston, which indicated he may have gone over Donsanto’s head to get approval,” said Rich. At the time, Elston was the chief of staff to Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty.
Transcript:
SEN. DIANNE FEINSTEIN: I wanted to ask a few follow up questions on the ACORN indictments. Sen. Leahy asked you about them. As you know, the four workers voluntarily turned over evidence to investigators. And they were cooperating fully with the investigation. And yet you went ahead and shortly before that election, you brought these indictments. And on page 61 of this book, it’s rather clear that that is effectively a ‘no no.’ Why did you do that?BRADLEY SCHLOZMAN: Senator, I acted at the direction of the director of the Election Crimes branch in the Public Integrity section. We asked whether he wanted us to go forward, or delay until after the election, and he said go forward. In e-mail traffic.
FEINSTEIN: And who was that, that ordered you to go forward?
SCHLOZMAN: Craig Donsanto, the head of the Election Crimes branch.
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They serve at the Pleasure of the Presidentâ„¢
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June 7th, 2007 at 5:19 pmsuspects? Well, so do I. I suspect plenty has gone on that we don’t even know about. Investigate this, but we also need to stay focused on the ringleaders of this criminal gang – bush and cheney.
Impeachment will be the only remedy – it’s reaffirming the constitution and the rule of law.
Some follow up reading:
“Clarification of the Uses of Impeachment”
June 7th, 2007 at 5:21 pmhttp://www.populistamerica.com/clarification_of_the_uses_of_impeachment
Pretty obvious that Schnozman serves for the pleasure of the presidunce.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:26 pmThis guy looks more crooked every day.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:31 pmDo you think this guy has dual citizenship with another country I cannot name here on TP. Do you think he is a _ionist?
June 7th, 2007 at 5:32 pmProduce the e-mail to back up that claim Slushy.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:33 pmAnd it will be in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1….seconds…until we hear that Bill Clinton approved this
June 7th, 2007 at 5:34 pmLISTEN DUDE……….
THERE IS SO MUCH FRIGGIN CORRUPTION GOING ON IT’S ENOUGH TO
BARF AND PUKE
THESE SHISTERS, HOODLUMS, AND CRIMINALS OUT OF OFFICE
AND ISN’T NICE TO KNOW THAT WHEN A CONVICTED CONGRESSMAN GETS
SENT TO THE SLAMMER, AFTER THEY GET OUT THEY STILL RECEIVE THEIR
LIFETIME PENSION AND THESE SWINDLERS COVER THEIR LITTLE HENS AND
FOXES MAKE SURE OF THAT (LINK) ..http://www.corruptionchronicles.com/
NOW LOWEST RATING EVER.. IT IS OBVIOUS WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT GETTING SERVED,
WASHINGTON IS TOTALLY BOUGHT OUT DUDE, TOTALLY MAN, DUDE
IT IS SO FRIGGIN CORRUPT, IT’S ENOUGH TO PUKE AND BARF BUT WE CAN’T
THE SYSTEM IS TOTALLY RIGGED BECAUSE THE HIGHEST HOUSE OF THE LAND HAS CORRUPTED… CORRUPTED ULTIMATE TRUTH AND JUSTICE….
CORRUPTED THE MOST ACCOUNT CONGRESS EVER TO SERVE THE PEOPLE
CORRUPTED ARMTWISTING DUDE…. ARMTWISTING IN THE WEE WEE HOURS OF THE MORNING WHEN DRACULA BUSH/CHENEY VISITS CONGRESS TO HOLD VOTES OPEN UNTIL THE SMOOZING, CRUSING SCRATCHING ME AND I SCRATCH YOU WHEELIN & DEALIN SERVES THE CROOKS PURPOSE
EVERY FRIGGIN ONE OF THEM IN THE FRIGGIN SLAMMER BUT THAT DOESN’T STOP THEIR SWINDLING/CROOKEDNESS EITHER, THEY STILL GET THEIR
LIFETIME PENSION… A CONVICTED HOOLDLUM STILL GETS THEIR $40,000 TO 100,000 A YEAR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE
http://www.corruptionchronicles.com/
IT’S SO CORRUPT…… WE THE PEOPLE GET SUPERIOR SERVICE AT THE MCDONALD’S DRIVE THROUGH AND BECAUSE OF ALL THIS SWINDLING,
June 7th, 2007 at 5:36 pmAND CORRUPTION WE THE PEOPLE GET THE FRIGGIN DUMP FOR SERVICE,
LITERALLY WE THE PEOPLE GET THE GREASE PITS DUDE FOR SERVICE
AND WHILE WE PAY PAY PAY AND GET POOR POOR POOR THESE SWINDLERS GET RICH RICH RICH…. ABSOLUTELY HORRENDOUSLY DISGUSTING DUDE, LITERALLY THIS COUNTRY IS BEING RAN BY A BUNCH
OF PARASITES DUDE, A BUNCH OF TOTALLY CORRUPTED SWINDLERS DUDE,
TO SWINDLE OFF YOU AND ME… NO WAY DO THEY SERVE THE PEOPLE..
CORRUPTION ABSOLUTELY IS VERY MUCH ALIVE AND IS GOING ON ALL THE TIME DUDE
Impeachment will be the only remedy – it’s reaffirming the constitution and the rule of law.
Comment by stopthecons
Problem is Pelosi. She has lost all her Tables ( to fscking put Impeachment papers on)
June 7th, 2007 at 5:36 pmSomeone please give her a Table…..
Jimbo Dude… still with the shouting?
I don’t even read what you say when you yell.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:39 pmProblem is Pelosi. She has lost all her Tables ( to fscking put Impeachment papers on)
Someone please give her a Table…..
Comment by Wayne
We need to start send Nancy tiny dollhouse tables or postcards with pictures of table glued to them. Fill her damned office with them.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:42 pmAll caps is not cool Jimbo.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:42 pmComment by jimbo DUDE — June 7, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Jimbo Dude, you’ll always be heavenly awesome around here, but please remember to shut off your caps. Thanks.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:43 pmI always kinda felt that Pelosi said impeachment was off the table to get the media off her back. I think, when the evidence gathering is complete, and the narrative has been formulated, she’ll put impeachment front and center.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:45 pmWhen you don’t have a table, you can fill out a form on someone’s back. I’m sure Reid will let her.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:45 pmyou know Jimbo, most of us don’t read your posts because you insist on all caps. It’s very hard on the yes. Please take the time to unlock the caps, i am pretty sure we would enjoy and agree with your contribution, if only we could read it with getting a migraine!
June 7th, 2007 at 5:45 pmgee, another shock. We’re doomed. Just screwed.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:46 pmYeah its time to Chimpeach.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:46 pmYes, Ms Pelosi, get down on your hands and knees and find those damned impeachment articles.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:49 pmJust cause their no longer on the table doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be put in play.
I feel ya Jim Jim, but folks hate all caps around here.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:50 pmHOLD VOTES OPEN UNTIL THE SMOOZING, CRUSING SCRATCHING ME AND I SCRATCH YOU WHEELIN & DEALIN SERVES THE CROOKS PURPOSE
Comment by jimbo DUDE — June 7, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
That’s the ticket jimbo DUDE!
Quality work, as always.
God Bless,
Your President of the United States of Amerika
June 7th, 2007 at 5:51 pmThey should impeach his ass right before he pardons Libby. And that way Dicky won’t be the Prez for more than a day.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:51 pmSchlozman must be indicted by the Congress and go to prison > PERIOD.
June 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pmComment by jimbo DUDE — June 7, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Don’t you EVER CHANGE, jimbo DUDE!!!
You hear me???
Not EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
June 7th, 2007 at 5:52 pmWe need to start send Nancy tiny dollhouse tables or postcards with pictures of table glued to them. Fill her damned office with them.
Comment by Zooey
Good idea
June 7th, 2007 at 5:53 pmAlso send copies of the Congressional Oath of Office, and point out where she is violating it, by NOT defending the Constitution and US Law.
We represent the Lollipop Guild
June 7th, 2007 at 6:02 pmThe Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild
And in the name of the Lollipop Guild
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land
Scholtzman looks like typical Bushie pondscum. He’s got corruption written all over that smarmy smirk of his. Do they take lessons or just stand in front of a mirror practicing their “snidley whiplash smirks”?? Amazing how the corruption seeps through the pores, isn’t it? Amazing how when they are lying, it’s apparent to everyone watching. Amazing that these thugs don’t “get it” and realize that the rest of american is onto them and is not believing a word that they utter….utterly amazing, isn’t it?
June 7th, 2007 at 6:04 pmJust watched on CSpan3 the investigation into Cobb and his debacle of darkness involving the OIG – this stuff is so grotesquely corrupt that one is certain that it has to be pure fiction – unfortunately, it is not.
Impeachment of the Bush Cabal and an entire overhaul of our government is essential at this point. There is not a single officeholder in this administration who supports the democratic process, the laws, or the constitution of this country.
Where the hell did these bushbots come from anyway? It’s beginning to feel as though we’ve been invaded by the bodysnatchers or something as they robotically articulate their canned responses to questions posed. I’ve never seen anything like it. Do you really think that human blood courses through their veins? I’m beginning to believe otherwise – another day/another scandal and I presume that it will continue well into the next officeholder’s term.
Impeachment is THE only option left to the people; and impeachment is no longer a “choice” of this congress (who are beginning to look complicit in their lackadaisical attitude toward it); it is a “mandate” of the constitution of this united states.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:08 pmWe represent the Lollipop Guild
The Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild
And in the name of the Lollipop Guild
We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land
Comment by High Pitch Schlozman
**snort**
June 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pmI agree with Pol. As much as I’d like bush impeached yesterday….The Votes aren’t there YET. Pelosi is a very smart politician…and she can Count. Her strategy is to stop Bush Where she can…and give him the rope to Hang himself. Timing is key. Tragically, the price of Bush’s folly goes up every day.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pmWhat’s up with the right arm twitch? Is that his ‘tell’? =)
June 7th, 2007 at 6:32 pmHis eyes shift faster than a cat watching a pair of mice play ping pong.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:35 pmSo when will Donsanto be asked if he authorized the voter fraud filings? Let’s get to the bottom of this during this administration – or how about this week.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:38 pmComment by Badger
And while Pelosi waits, Bush&Co thumb their noses at the constitution and established USLaw, laughing their asses off at us.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:38 pmJust saying……
Don’t voter registrations have to be received well ahead of an election? It’s 28 days in my county. I’m having trouble seeing how indictments of registration recruiters five days before the election affected anything, much less qualify as a Presidential high crime and misdemeanor.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:47 pmWayne…I don’t know, but I doubt Bush & Co. are laughing much with their boy at 28%. What could be worse, is that they are feeling paranoid and desperate. Kind of like Nixon in 1973.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:48 pm(whiny voice),…….. wasn’t me, it was, uh, uh, ………..
June 7th, 2007 at 6:49 pmAll you whiners about impeachment…it takes 67 votes in the senate…there is not enough rethuglicans who are not crooks to impeach. They are in it with the chimp and they know they are going down and they will queer any deal they can as long as they can.
Upside, the people are not as dumb as them or the 28% who support them. The GOP is over…it is a matter of time.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:56 pmSeth…Many States in America have Same Day Registration.
June 7th, 2007 at 7:02 pmThere was a group of republican activists and lawyers,set up specifically to Press the voter fraud issue. Many of their accusations proved to be totally unfounded. According to NPR, this group just dissappeared after the election…totally dropped out of sight.
But their propaganda succeded in convincing many americans that voter fraud, especially by the democrats, was rampant. Not substantiated.
Jimbo please – when you post a shouting rambling mess, (I believe) that none of us read it at all – as soon as I see the All Caps I scroll right past it, just like I do with Jake the Fakes, Patti1″, VV, Pres Clinton, Mr President etc.
I do sometimes read Exlax’s post, cause at least he does better at representing his side, rather than smearing and personal attacks like the others do.
IGNORE THE TROLLS – Debate is good – Trolling is bad
June 7th, 2007 at 7:04 pmwow
June 7th, 2007 at 7:06 pmdisgusting
these people hate America
Future historians will have a field day with the neocons. The weird thing is that they think they’re so terribly clever.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:13 pmSo? Why can’t you people let The President do what needs to be done to protect your children?? Sheesh!
June 7th, 2007 at 8:17 pmThis fiasco goes nowhere unless it goes to the NSA warrantless wiretap issue.
June 7th, 2007 at 8:53 pmDavid…re #43……I dont want my children or grandchildren being “protected” by liars and criminals, thank you. You see, those immoral, unethical goons running the country simply cannot be TRUSTED…therefore, no thanks. I dont trust them to protect me or my children. They are in it for THEMSELVES….Or are you too dumb to realize it?
June 7th, 2007 at 8:53 pmThey all need to be indicted.
Conyers today said (regarding the fact that DOJ has not been forthcoming with necessary docs) that it was “about time that process kicks in” and gave them 2 weeks
some great testimony video discussing the CRIMES that are being committed by the WH
June 7th, 2007 at 8:59 pmhere’s the one with Conyers, the others on the page are worth seeing too
Conyers was saying it’s about time process should kick in.
You can say that again!
http://www.speaker.gov/blog/?cat=4
Doesn’t anyone realize that it takes 2/3 of senate for an impeachment conviction?
June 7th, 2007 at 9:17 pmDoesn’t anyone realize that it takes 2/3 of senate for an impeachment conviction?
Comment by Captain Dan
Right… could be a major stumbling block, couldn’t it?
June 7th, 2007 at 9:44 pmDoesn’t anyone realize that it takes 2/3 of senate for an impeachment conviction?
Yup. The Rapeublican House of Representatives knew it in 1998.
But they knew they would get to EXPOSE Clinton, and get to SUBPOENA all the goodies they could.
The DISCOVERY of evidence in the case of Cheney and Bush would DEFINITELY be their DOWNFALL.
THAT is why they want NO INVESTIGATIONS, and why the HIDE it all.
EVERYTHING they have done has been with MALICIOUS and CRIMINAL intent.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:52 pmEVERYTHING…
For the record, I have NEVER resorted to a single personal attack on these threads. It’s always better to remain civil to debate issues.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:13 amDid anyone else think that Schlozman twitched and spoke like a slightly less spastic version of the John Luvitz compulsive liar character from Saturday Night Live?
June 8th, 2007 at 1:46 amSo, trolls, I’ll try again on this thread. No one answered my question on a prior thread. Let’s see if any of the trolls on this thread have the courage or intelligence to answer this question:
If it was a Democratic White house that was politicizing the justice department (actually politicizing the entire government), would you still say “they serve at the pleasure of the president” and other things to justify what is happening? Would you think it was OK for them to make the US government an extension of the Democratic party?
Come on trolls, you are not so stupid or lazy that you can’t answer a simple question like that….are you?
June 8th, 2007 at 9:15 am“I always kinda felt that Pelosi said impeachment was off the table to get the media off her back. ”
Not only to keep the media off her back, she also needed to keep the Republics off her back until she had enough evidence and enough Republics were fed up with the Bush Crime family to actually have a chance at impeachment. If she had come out of the gate trying to impeach Chaney and Bush (you certainly don’t want Chaney as our president, do you), the Republics would immediately have started screaming that the Democrats and Pelosi were trying to take over the government via impeachment.
There still are not enough Republics who are fed up enough with the Bush Crime family for impeachment to be a possibility. I would dearly love to see Bush and Chaney impeached, but I would rather see the Democrats spend their time investigating their crimes now and impeach when they have enough evidence.
Everyone keeps saying that there will not be time to impeach soon because it takes so long. I believe it took maybe 5 months for the Republics to file articles of impeachment against Clinton and for the impeachment vote to fail. We still have time folks. Personally, I would be happy to see both Bush and Chaney impeached in the last days of the presidency, just to show the world that we really do care about our system of governance.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:23 amHey Jake:
I see that you are the resident troll on this thread. So, do you want to answer my question in #52. Do you have the guts? I’m waiting.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:25 amFormer Justice Official Suspects Foul Play In Election-Timed Indictments
Wow. Really, wow. One former justice official suspects this. Tell him to get in line behind the 100% of current justice officials and anyone else in the country who has a clue.
Way to continue wasting space on meaningless aspects of a 8th rate story.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:39 amYou seem very taken with yourself for posing such a shallow question on such a relatively meaningless issue.
When it came to the question of whether they do or not, yes.
Would you not say the same thing ?
How about if you were a Republican in this same example would you at some point get the fkn point that no matter how many times this is repeated there is no rebuttal available for a reason ?
Ever notice how few cops stand trial for murder even though they are known to shoot quite a lot of people ?
Yet one one of them is known to deals drugs they go to jail without fail. There’s a lesson there. See if you can keep missing it.
I personally wouldn’t give a shit. It’s a little naive to think that this isn’t standard practice for every administration past and future though.
WTF do you think the leadership of these political parties do while their party is in power ? Go to Disney Land ?
You’re asking if people are too stupid or lazy to answer your questions ? .
Those would appear to be the reasons these are your questions instead of something a little more insightful. How about you put a bit of thought or effort in before calling anyone else lazy next time.
Seriously, you’re challenging people to take on your ingenious “what if the roles were reversed” hypothetical. LMAO. How ever did you come up with something that clever ?
I’ve seen “The Making of The Matrix”, I’m guessing this is going to be just as complicated. LOL
June 8th, 2007 at 9:57 amHow long ago was the first Iraq funding bill including withdrawal that got shot down for this precise reason ? What, 2 weeks ?
That the perfect time to make Democrats look powerless and start this plunge in approval ratings for congress down to Bush levels was it ?
June 8th, 2007 at 10:04 amComment by jimbo DUDE — June 7, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
You post damned near every excuse used to not get involved in politics, and thus to remain dirt-dumb about what’s actually going on in Washington, DC.
Ya know, the fewer people that vote, the better it is for the Republicans. Is that your goal, troll: to drive down voting?
Or are you simply a lazy ass who gratuitously smears gov’t based upon at best-second hand allegations and rumors as excuse to remain lazy?
“Democracy is responsibility.” — Justice Louis Brandeis.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:30 amI personally wouldn’t give a shit. It’s a little naive to think that this isn’t standard practice for every administration past and future though.
Comment by Kilo — June 8, 2007 @ 9:57 am
And it’s more than a little naive to make unevidenced assumptions and base upon those allegations for which you have no evidence — except that being gathered and revealed about the Repbublcan’t [be honest] subversion of gov’t for political ends.
I suspect our country would be in less danger from within if citizens such as you learned to think. Learned to distinguish between fact and fantasy. Learned the difference between belief and fact. Learned that belief isn’t necessarily true, regardless how fervently held or frequently repeated.
Before you say “everyone does it,” _prove_ “everyone does it”. Until you prove it, you are being stupid and irresponsible.
Republicans gain when fewer citizens vote. Keep working to persuade people to not vote, troll.
“Democracy is responsibility.” — Justice Louis Brandeis.
June 8th, 2007 at 11:37 amHow much evidence do you need of me not giving a shit about Democrat control of power ?
Couple of years worth of posts around here.
I’m no such citizen, hence the non-shit giving.
LMAO. Yeah tell me some more about how I should try distinguishing fact from fantasy in your disagreement that whether the White House is an extension of the political party in power isn’t a partisan issue. Seriously, LMAO.
Is this why Democrats are expected to be so lame and ineffective as politicians ? Because you actually think they’re not politicians ?
Comedy gold.
Why ? Who would this proof benefit ?
The kind of person who’s sitting around wondering whether political parties that spend every waking hour and billions of dollars on the single goal of obtaining this power so they can use it, do in fact use it once they get it ?
Hell no. What you are not describing, the type of conveyance of information that could achieve such a change, is not called “proof”. It’s called common fkn sense. It’s called the first 15 years of your life. Not only can I not provide this I have no reason to want to.
You call me a troll. What troll doesn’t enjoy watching partisan wingnuts suffering when fantasy is replaced by reality. When fables about our corrupt lying white guys are completely different from the other team’s corrupt lying white guys get’s replaced with news stories to the contrary.
My country has compulsory voting.
Your country only manages to get 60% of the population off their obese arses to vote.
So I’ll be the troll and you be the delusional idiot that thinks anyone is convincing anyone else not to bother voting to a degree that matters. And I’m apparenly doing it on partisan political website no less.
LMAO. Get the fk outta here you clown.
Maybe you could stop on over at NFL.com and warn people there not to discourage others from watching football.
June 8th, 2007 at 12:13 pmHonestly, you’re hysterical. You should take this act on the road.
If Joseph Rich says he doesn’t think that Donsanto would have approved the ACORN lawsuits before the election, you can bet that is true. As head of the Voting Rights section, Rich would have had constant contact with Donsanto (who was in charge of Criminal prosecutions of Election cases).
And certainly, Rich and Donsanto would have become close during the Bush years, as a bunch of right-wing political hacks who didn’t give a f*ck about voting rights and clean elections took over. The odds are overwhelming that Rich got in touch with Donsanto after Schlozman’s testimony, found out exactly what happened…and Rich’s statement today is more than his “judgement”, its his certain knowledge.
June 8th, 2007 at 6:08 pm