Misblog

Representative Jane Harman (D-CA; 36th District), and current chair of Homeland Security Subcommittee on Intelligence, Information Sharing and Terrorism Risk Assessment is fending off credible allegations of official corruption.

The allegations arise out of more (intial report NYT 2006) reports that wiretaps have recorded her Harman agreeing with another (likely an agent of Israel) to intervene in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Lobbyists Case of Rosen and Weissman² for the purpose of ensuring leniency (see NYT article and blogs NYT, FAS, CQ).

In a press release Harman expresses "Blagojevich like outrage"; does not deny the alleged agreement—only that she did not contact anyone seeking leniency for the AIPAC lobbyists.

Since our Congress has become such a cesspool it might not be obvious what the response should be when an agent of Israel, AIPAC lobbyist or any other person asks you to intervene in a federal prosecution—hint; it's not yes, even if you intend not to follow-up on your agreement!

You'll want to immediately say NO in the strongest possible terms and terminate the conversation or telephone call. Shortly thereafter you'll want to invite a senior staff person into your office while you telephone the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ)¹ to report that you have just been asked to intervene in a federal prosecution! Finally, you'll want to have that senior staff person send a confirming email to the official you spoke with at USDOJ confirming your telephone conversation. The email should also describe the essence of conversation asking you to intervene including the names of the agent of Israel, AIPAC lobbyist, or other persons.

If the wiretaps reasonably indicate Harman agreed to intervene on behave of the AIPAC Lobbyists, whether or not she intervened, she must immediately resign from Congress.

Web: WP Investigations, Jane Harman's Wiretapped Conversations

-----notes-----

1. The irony of calling King Bush the Idiot's United States Department of Justice whose jester Alberto Gonzales was busy selectively firing prosecutors is of course apparent—irony that emphasizes when corruption is systemic you jeopardize the nation.

2. UPDATED 04/21/2009 Former AIPAC lobbyist Rosen and Weissman are being criminally prosecuted under the Espionage Act 1917, 18 U.S.C. §973. Their trial is expected to begin June 02, 2009 in the District Court for Eastern Virginia.