John Dean says Rove may have violated Federal Conspiracy & Fraud Statute!

[KoKo]

(This is his latest column where he further state the problems the White House is in with the Wilson/Plame "TreasonGate" citing more laws that have been broken)

Why the Federal Conspiracy and Fraud Statutes May Apply Here

This elegantly simple law has snared countless people working for, or with,
the federal government. Suppose a conspiracy is in progress. Even those
who come in later, and who share in the purpose of the conspiracy, can
become responsible for all that has gone on before they joined. They need
not realize they are breaking the law; they need only have joined the
conspiracy.

Most likely, in this instance the conspiracy would be a conspiracy to defraud
- for the broad federal fraud statute, too, may apply here. If two federal
government employees agree to undertake actions that are not within the
scope of their employment, they can be found guilty of defrauding the U.S.
by depriving it of the "faithful and honest services of its employee." It is
difficult to imagine that President Bush is going to say he hired anyone to
call reporters to wreak more havoc on Valerie Plame. Thus, anyone who did
so - or helped another to do so - was acting outside the scope of his or her
employment, and may be open to a fraud prosecution.

What counts as "fraud" under the statute? Simply put, "any conspiracy for
the purpose of impairing, obstructing, or defeating the lawful function of any
department of government." (Emphasis added.) If telephoning reporters to
further destroy a CIA asset whose identity has been revealed, and whose
safety is now in jeopardy, does not fit this description, I would be quite
surprised.

If Newsweek is correct that Karl Rove declared Valerie Plame Wilson "fair
game," then he should make sure he's got a good criminal lawyer, for he
made need one. I've only suggested the most obvious criminal statute that
might come into play for those who exploit the leak of a CIA asset's identity.
There are others.

More about this......an interesting read:http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20031010.html

[Spazito]

1. John Dean is great!

I am glad he is staying on this!

[AP]

2. It's interesting because the felony at the heart of this matter states, in

the statute, that you can't conspire to commit that crime. So if Rove got somebody else to do it, he'd be OK.

However, yes, conspiring to cover up that crime is a separate felony...and that could ensnare a lot more people than the original felony.

[never cry wolf]

3. John Dean has been all over this issue

it's at least his 3rd article on it. John Dean for special prosecutor anyone???

[Bozola]

4. Great idea!

John Dean for Special Prosecutor with Vincent Buglioso riding shotgun.

[ElementaryPenguin]

12. Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!! THAT's the ticket, Chief!

My dream pairing!

[noonwitch]

9. I like that pairing

Bugliosi is a conservative who despises Bush for stealing the election. John Dean is a disillusioned former republican who helped take a president down for a lot less than Bush has done.

[gristy]

5. DEAN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL!!

This guy is huge.

[jmcgowanjm]

6. " I have no idea whether we'll find out who the leaker is."

Machiavellian Policy 101
for Empires
Subject: Diplomats, Spies, and Assassins
The WH has slapped these guys
in the face.

A warm live body will be produced
and/or a head will be put on a
pike in front of the WH
before this is over.

[Spazito]

7. Kick

*

[bobthedrummer]

8. Thanks for posting this KoKo01!

:hi:

[TacticalPeek]

10. Depriving the US of the "faithful and honest services of its employee".

Defraud? Dey all frauds.

[hang a left]

11. I like it , I like it alot!!!!

Oh please let this be the downfall of this administration, please!

[hedda_foil]

13. What a phenomenal article!

I've admired John Dean since he went up against the whole Nixon administration in testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee. I'll never forget his testimony. And now I'm absolutely in awe of his writing on the Bush administration. He hasn't let these bastards get away with anything.

[proud patriot]

14. Great article n/t

[KoKo]

15. Kick for Saturday Crowd.

:kick: