New Details in FBI Investigation of Michelle Bachmann (Sworn Testimony: Approved Secret Payments)

[Hissyspit]

Last edited Tue Jun 4, 2013, 01:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: David Shuster at Huffington Post

New Details in FBI Criminal Investigation of Michele Bachmann

David Shuster | Jun 04, 2013

While Congresswoman Michele Bachmann was announcing her retirement to much fanfare in the media, according to information given exclusively to Take Action News, the FBI was busy collecting potentially damaging evidence against her from two former campaign aides. According to sources close to the criminal investigation of Bachmann's presidential campaign, the FBI has now been given sworn testimony and documents alleging Bachmann approved secret payments to Iowa state Senator Kent Sorenson in exchange for his help and support in that state's 2012 Presidential caucuses. Ethics rules explicitly prohibit Iowa lawmakers from accepting payments from Presidential campaigns or PACs. Investigation sources tell Take Action News the FBI is examining money laundering allegations against Bachmann, as well as possible wire fraud and mail fraud.

As we detailed on my nationally syndicated radio and YouTube show Take Action News this past Saturday, the key claims against Bachmann are coming from two of her former campaign insiders -- former Congressional chief of staff Andy Parrish and former national field coordinator Pete Waldron. Waldron has filed a complaint with the Federal Elections Commission, alleging the payments to State Senator Sorenson were improper. Parrish has provided an affidavit to investigators, confirming Bachmann knew of and approved the payments.

The Iowa Senate Ethics Committee voted more than a month ago to appoint a special investigator to determine whether State Senator Sorenson was guilty of violating Iowa state ethics rules prohibiting direct or indirect employment from a political action committee. The Committee's ongoing investigation of Sorenson is based on Waldron's FEC complaint and Parrish's testimony.

It's not unusual for a political campaign, with all of the paperwork and forms required by the FEC, to make mistakes. Furthermore, many U.S. lawmakers have been fined by the FEC for improper fundraising, spending, and misleading accounting records. The Bachmann case, though, is different. Her own team is alleging the campaign violations, and declaring that Bachmann knew about the actions in advance. Presumably, Bachmann -- like other Presidential candidates -- signed hundreds of disclosure reports filed with the federal government. If she lied on those reports, or mailed misleading financial statements, however, she may face serious legal trouble.


Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-shuster/new-details-in-fbi-crimin_b_3381810.html

[WilliamPitt]

1. Bad link

Use this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-shuster/new-details-in-fbi-crimin_b_3381810.html

[Politicalboi]

2. Hopefully, State Senator Sorenson

Will go down with her.

[Berlum]

3. Republican Family Grifter Values

As usual.

[CanonRay]

4. I hope they didn't let her off the hook in exchange for not running again

because she will come back to bite us on the ass. Never let a Republican up when you've got them down. You've got to destroy them when you have the chance, or they will come back. See Rove, Karl for an example. He should have been indicted and getting out on parole about now.

[firenewt]

5. I thought I read or heard or saw Bachmann's Swiss citizenship had been approved. If seriously

pushed by the ongoing investigations, I see her leaving the country.

[leftyohiolib]

7. with the 20 mil she's fleece from her supporters after a faux presidential run that didnt last past

iowa

[okaawhatever]

6. We need to use the same standard that we used for Gov Siegelman and the others charged during the

Bush era. What they have evidence of her doing is already worse than everything Siegelman did. i say fed prison, drive her around the country so no one can find her, no bail, trial. If the first trial doesn't convict do it again. If it's overturned by scotus like Paul Minor charge him again. Get a judge who has proven ties to democrats and then have them instruct the jury in your favor. I'm sick and tired of giving guys like Rove a pass on his antics by not doing the same to his people.

[rocktivity]

8. Is THIS what the phony IRS scandal hearings was supposed to offset?

rocktivity

[dflprincess]

10. Only in Bachmann's mind would she be important enough for that

She's just a useful idiot for the right and if she goes down they will just find another one.

[undiegrinder]

9. It's probably speculation borne of ignorance, but ...

I wonder if Bachmann's ethics (or lack thereof) had anything to do with her ridiculously high staff turnover rate ?

While working for her was likely no bed of roses, could they have decided to quit in order to avoid becoming accessories to her crimes ... ?