This is disturbing.
FBI called in on Hill
By Bob Cusack and Jackie Kucinich
The FBI and Capitol Police are investigating the vicious attack of a top Senate staffer at her home last week amid concerns that the assault might be related to her work on the Finance Committee.
Emilia DiSanto, chief investigator for committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), arrived at her suburban Virginia home after work Wednesday about 6:30 p.m. As she was unloading belongings from her car, a 6-foot-1-inch white man dressed in black struck her repeatedly with an unidentified object believed to be a baseball bat.
Senator Grassley is a Republican but working with Durgin on a FBI investigation. Grassley is one of Capitol Hill’s most vocal critics of the FBI.
The attack and the possibility that it was motivated by congressional business have made some people anxious on Capitol Hill.
“This is of obvious concern to anyone working here,” a Senate staffer said. “It’s very disconcerting when you worry about someone resorting to violence. This could be intimidation, and you wonder whether it’s safe to do your job.”
The attack on DiSanto came two days before a bomb threat caused alarm at an Iowa veterans home where Grassley was scheduled to appear.
According to the Iowa Times Republican, an anonymous caller told a switchboard operator Friday that a bomb would detonate in the center’s cemetery shortly before 1 p.m. The threat was not in the area where Grassley was scheduled to appear and later was deemed a false alarm. Grassley made the visit to the center as planned.
Personal attacks like this are disturbing. Very curious as to who might be behind this.
“Personal attacks like this are disturbing. Very curious as to who might be behind this.”
I can’t disagree with this statement, though I think it is a tad understated.
What I am curious about is the title of this diary. Why did you choose it?
I guess the thought of a republican attacking a republican seemed ‘out of step’ but Abramoff has some powerful people in his camp and that’s one of the investigations Grassley is also working on so…I used Democrat I suppose as a warning- that I hope we don’t resort to these kinds of tactics.
Thanks. Guess I’m not the only one up early here.
I sure hope a Democrat did not do this either, but my mind did not immediately head in that direction. Not saying that a Democrat couldn’t do such a thing. Heck, I suppose even a Presbyterian could do such a thing.
It is also possible that the attack came from other motivations all together. Gambling. Drugs. Retaliation for something. General insanity.
I guess I watch too much “Law and Order” but I gather it is still not clear what the perp’s motivation was.
No it’s not clear yet what the motivation is, but I will try to keep an eye on this story though a news follow up may be hard to find.
“out of step”? Really, Rose? Have you forgotten how viciously Bush attacked McCain in the ’99 primaries? I realize that comparison doesn’t involve physical violence but even so… Another example: Abramoff’s former partner (I forget his name) in one of his casino ventures being gunned down by Mafia-style hitmen — I’ll bet he was a Republican.
Your title for this diary is so far from reasonable speculation that it bothers me. Is Grassley investigating Democratic money laundering schemes? Is he investigating any Democrats at all? What possible motive would any Democratic operative have for intimidating Grassley thru one of his subordinates?
The first word that jumped into my mind when I read this news was Abramoff. My second thought was wondering if the victim had drug or gambling debts. Democrats weren’t even on my list of possibilities.
That’s why I hope it’s not a democrat-sheesh- I don’t know all the background stuff.
My thought when I titled the diary was that if it is a democrat behind this attack we will never live it down. The wing nuts would have a piece of armor and that’s all we’ll hear about and would never let us forget it.
The repugs are in-fighting and that will eventually bring them down, but if there are any democrats involved in the diary-type of criminality we will be dead in the water.
That’s why I said I hope it’s not a democrat behind this.
I hope that it’s not directed from either party and that these are random acts not motivated by political desires. (Not that the acts themselves would be any more palatable.) It would be sad commentary (but not terribly surprising) if there is political motivation here.
I love what you write very much Rosie but the title of this diary concerns me. Why give the wingers something to consider? I know you meant no harm and maybe I am over reacting. We all know they come here to lurk and see what we are up to. Maybe something like “Who would want this woman out of the picture”? Just asking.
I’ll change the title
Thank you Rosie.
It’s being investigated as attempted murder according to a few different reports.
It might have something to do with her influence mentioned here
Any report on she’s doing?
She’s back at work so apparently wasn’t hurt too badly.
Good to hear. I just skimmed through a couple stories and it looked like it’s being taken more seriously now.
The Abramoff/Safavian deal itself would be enough to possibly draw that kind of critical influence.