Remembering recorded call among House GOP that was leaked to media in 1997
In late 1996, Florida couple (Martins) recorded call among John Boehner, GOP Majority Leader Dick Armey, GOP Whip Tom Delay, New York Congressman Bill Paxon, and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, strategizing about how to undercut the ethics committee's case against the speaker.
Martins then hand-delivered a tape of the cell-phone conversation to Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), the ranking Democrat on the bipartisan ethics committee. A transcript appeared in the New York Times, attributed to a Democratic congressman hostile to Gingrich.
Federal and state anti-wiretapping laws make it illegal to eavesdrop on cell-phone calls, and it also is illegal to pass on the contents of illegally intercepted phone conversations. Martins later pleaded guilty to a federal wiretap violation charge and were fined.
Boehner then sued McDermott for disclosing an "illegally intercepted" call under the Electronic Communications Privacy Act. McDermott ultimately had significant judgement against him.
What's interesting is there was very little fall-out over the conspiring substance of the conversation and those that participated in it. Gingrich wasn't forced to resign - he remained as speaker until November 1998 - and was ousted only after the GOP lost seats in the election.
Hacking the DNC server and stealing emails is a crime. Someone did it and should be prosecuted. Early investigations indicate operatives connected with Russia. Let's not let the substance of the emails be the only story - let's make sure the crime of stealing them is also a story that is heard.
= new reply since forum marked as read
When Dems are hacked, it's all about the content.
When Repubs are hacked, it's all about the legalitiy of the action.
