Investigative reporter Lucy Komisar today illustrates the kind of tough questions that reporters at corporate-owned outlets are increasingly reluctant to ask public officials and former public officials for fear of creating antagonism against the reporter, media organization and/or affiliates of the media outlet. Komisar reports her question here, followed by its convoluted answer:
George W. Bush Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke at the Council on Foreign Relations Friday and used the occasion to attack WikiLeaks. I used the occasion — an HBO History Makers Series moderated by TV anchor Katie Couric– to ask her a question.
Jersey Political Prosecution Update
News reports about Dec. 6 trial testimony against former New Jersey assemblyman Harvey Smith suggest continuing problems for federal prosecutors of the “Bid Rig III” charges, which JIP has characterized as a deeply flawed political prosecution initiated by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he was U.S. attorney. The Jersey City Independent reported that Edward Cheatam (sic), the government’s new star witness against Smith, couldn’t remember what he did with most of $70,000 in bribes he received from the state’s previous star witness, Solomon Dwek. The government is not using Dwek as a witness. His disgraces as a $50 million bank fraudster and brothel owner undermined his role as the key government witness in the 46-defendant prosecution.
Cheatam testified that the defendant assemblyman Smith resisted initial offers at what was either a campaign donation or bribe, saying he doesn’t do “quid pro quo” in advocating for worthy projects from campaign donors. JIP previously reported that the Christie and his successors initiated the sting in cooperation with Dwek at vast waste of taxpayer money and in coordination with Christie’s successful gubernatorial campaign. New Jersey radio station WRRC-FM hosted JIP on “Carson’s Corner” Dec. 6 with host Bob Carson to discuss the government's abuses. The show can be heard here.
Events
Washington's National Press Club hosts on Dec. 8 Cindy and Craig Corrie, the parents of the late human rights activist Rachel Corrie. An Israeli bulldozer killed their daughter March 16, 2003 in the Gaza Strip as she tried to prevent the demolition of a Palestinian family's home. The 7 p.m. discussion is preceded by an optional dinner. The event is sponsored by the club's McClendon Group, which is chaired by JIP Director John E. Hurley.
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