I heard on Franken’s show on Air America yesterday that the Info on the Rove Indictment had been retracted. Wish I had been paying more attention to who it was that relayed that info and what organization they represented, but it was someone who usually has absolutely reliable information.
So for now it seem to be misinformation that the indictment is forthcoming.
TORONTO, ONTARIO (Market Wire) May 15 — Hollinger Inc. announced that it has signed a Cooperation Agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois (“USAO”). In signing the Agreement, Hollinger has agreed to fully cooperate with the USAO’s ongoing investigation and prosecution of Conrad Black, Jack Boultbee, Peter Atkinson, Mark Kipnis and The Ravelston Corporation Limited.
The USAO has agreed not to prosecute Hollinger for any crimes committed by its former officers, directors or employees relating to the $16.55 million in non-compete payments diverted from Hollinger International Inc. to Hollinger, as long as Hollinger abides by the terms of the Cooperation Agreement.
The full text of the Cooperation Agreement is appended to this news release.
For the past few days, we have endured non-stop attacks on our credibility, and we have fought hard to defend our reputation. In addition, we have worked around the clock to provide additional information to our readership. People want to know more about this, and our job is to keep them informed. We take that responsibility seriously.
Here’s what we now know: I spoke personally yesterday with both Rove’s spokesman Mark Corallo and Rove’s attorney Robert Luskin. Both men categorically denied all key points of our recent reporting on this issue. Both said, “Rove is not a target,” “Rove did not inform the White House late last week that he would be indicted,” and “Rove has not been indicted.” Further, both Corallo and Luskin denied Leopold’s account of events at the offices of Patton Boggs, the law firm that represents Karl Rove. They specifically stated again that no such meeting ever occurred, that Fitzgerald was not there, that Rove was not there, and that a major meeting did not take place. Both men were unequivocal on that point.
We can now report, however, that we have additional, independent sources that refute those denials by Corallo and Luskin. While we had only our own sources to work with in the beginning, additional sources have now come forward and offered corroboration to us.
We have been contacted by at least three reporters from mainstream media – network level organizations – who shared with us off-the-record confirmation and moral support. When we asked why they were not going public with this information, in each case they expressed frustration with superiors who would not allow it.
We also learned the following: The events at the office building that houses the law firm of Patton Boggs were not in fact a very well-guarded secret. Despite denials by Corallo and Luskin, there was intense activity at the office building. In fact, the building was staked out by at least two major network news crews. Further, although Corallo and Luskin are not prepared to talk about what happened in the offices of Patton Boggs, others emerging from the building were, both on background and off-the-record. There were a lot of talkers, and they confirmed our accounts. We do have more information, but want additional confirmation before going public with it.
THE 24 HOUR THING
We reported that Patrick Fitzgerald had, “instructed one of the attorneys to tell Rove that he has 24 business hours to get his affairs in order….” That does not mean that at the end of that 24-hour period, Fitzgerald is obliged to hold a press conference and make an announcement. It just means that he has given Rove a 24-hour formal notification. Fitzgerald is not obliged to make an announcement at any point; he does so at his own discretion, and not if it compromises his case. So we’re all stuck waiting here. Grab some coffee.
Sadly, Ash is like the person who says the world will end tomorrow — then tomorrow comes and everyone points out the world hasn’t ended. Of course, their reply is “but I said ‘tomorrow’.
Ash is making a huge mistake — in fact a rookie mistake. Ash may not be a rookie, but he’s acting like one.
A news outlet’s jobs is to report what it knows. Last week it reported that Fitz had indictments in hand and was giving Rove 24 hours. But today is Wednesday and there has been no announcement. Doubtless if there is an announcement on Friday he will claim that he was right — but he wouldn’t be.
I have wrote Ash asking him not to act like a mainstream media outlet and make the same mistake they too often make: standing behind an error. But it’s too late. No matter what happens in the next 24 hours Leopold was wrong. A real journalist would change their report to say something like this: “my sources told me things that have not come to pass. Either they were wrong, circumstances have changed, or they set me up.”
But instead we get a typical answer: “we stand by our story (despite the fact that it is now physically impossible for it to have been correct).”
Link
Yeah I read that, and heard him on Ed’s show too. But it is starting to look like someone set him up.
I had the same thoughts, Leopold may have been set up..but then he threatened to OUT his source if he was burned.
Truthout has a lot riding on this. On the other hand Fitz always work his agenda, not ours.
Thanks for the link, MT. It all sounds so rational. I want to believe, I want to beeleeeive!!!
I heard on Franken’s show on Air America yesterday that the Info on the Rove Indictment had been retracted. Wish I had been paying more attention to who it was that relayed that info and what organization they represented, but it was someone who usually has absolutely reliable information.
So for now it seem to be misinformation that the indictment is forthcoming.
I think we wait until 9 or 10am tomorrow… when I heard 24 business hours, I figured it would be first thing Thursday morning…
hard to wait, but what’s an extra night?
Hope hope you are right, OldCoastie!
.
Fitzgerald keeps busy …
TORONTO, ONTARIO (Market Wire) May 15 — Hollinger Inc. announced that it has signed a Cooperation Agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois (“USAO”). In signing the Agreement, Hollinger has agreed to fully cooperate with the USAO’s ongoing investigation and prosecution of Conrad Black, Jack Boultbee, Peter Atkinson, Mark Kipnis and The Ravelston Corporation Limited.
The USAO has agreed not to prosecute Hollinger for any crimes committed by its former officers, directors or employees relating to the $16.55 million in non-compete payments diverted from Hollinger International Inc. to Hollinger, as long as Hollinger abides by the terms of the Cooperation Agreement.
The full text of the Cooperation Agreement is appended to this news release.
≈ Cross-posted from CabinGirl’s diary — Wednesday Bucket O’ News ≈
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."▼ ▼ ▼ MY DIARY
Perhaps.
Then again.
Maybe it’s going to be time for Crow Stew soon?
By Marc Ash,
Wed May 17th, 2006 at 12:52:48 PM EDT :: Fitzgerald Investigation
For the past few days, we have endured non-stop attacks on our credibility, and we have fought hard to defend our reputation. In addition, we have worked around the clock to provide additional information to our readership. People want to know more about this, and our job is to keep them informed. We take that responsibility seriously.
Here’s what we now know: I spoke personally yesterday with both Rove’s spokesman Mark Corallo and Rove’s attorney Robert Luskin. Both men categorically denied all key points of our recent reporting on this issue. Both said, “Rove is not a target,” “Rove did not inform the White House late last week that he would be indicted,” and “Rove has not been indicted.” Further, both Corallo and Luskin denied Leopold’s account of events at the offices of Patton Boggs, the law firm that represents Karl Rove. They specifically stated again that no such meeting ever occurred, that Fitzgerald was not there, that Rove was not there, and that a major meeting did not take place. Both men were unequivocal on that point.
We can now report, however, that we have additional, independent sources that refute those denials by Corallo and Luskin. While we had only our own sources to work with in the beginning, additional sources have now come forward and offered corroboration to us.
We have been contacted by at least three reporters from mainstream media – network level organizations – who shared with us off-the-record confirmation and moral support. When we asked why they were not going public with this information, in each case they expressed frustration with superiors who would not allow it.
We also learned the following: The events at the office building that houses the law firm of Patton Boggs were not in fact a very well-guarded secret. Despite denials by Corallo and Luskin, there was intense activity at the office building. In fact, the building was staked out by at least two major network news crews. Further, although Corallo and Luskin are not prepared to talk about what happened in the offices of Patton Boggs, others emerging from the building were, both on background and off-the-record. There were a lot of talkers, and they confirmed our accounts. We do have more information, but want additional confirmation before going public with it.
THE 24 HOUR THING
We reported that Patrick Fitzgerald had, “instructed one of the attorneys to tell Rove that he has 24 business hours to get his affairs in order….” That does not mean that at the end of that 24-hour period, Fitzgerald is obliged to hold a press conference and make an announcement. It just means that he has given Rove a 24-hour formal notification. Fitzgerald is not obliged to make an announcement at any point; he does so at his own discretion, and not if it compromises his case. So we’re all stuck waiting here. Grab some coffee.
MT has posted a link to this above.
Sadly, Ash is like the person who says the world will end tomorrow — then tomorrow comes and everyone points out the world hasn’t ended. Of course, their reply is “but I said ‘tomorrow’.
Ash is making a huge mistake — in fact a rookie mistake. Ash may not be a rookie, but he’s acting like one.
A news outlet’s jobs is to report what it knows. Last week it reported that Fitz had indictments in hand and was giving Rove 24 hours. But today is Wednesday and there has been no announcement. Doubtless if there is an announcement on Friday he will claim that he was right — but he wouldn’t be.
I have wrote Ash asking him not to act like a mainstream media outlet and make the same mistake they too often make: standing behind an error. But it’s too late. No matter what happens in the next 24 hours Leopold was wrong. A real journalist would change their report to say something like this: “my sources told me things that have not come to pass. Either they were wrong, circumstances have changed, or they set me up.”
But instead we get a typical answer: “we stand by our story (despite the fact that it is now physically impossible for it to have been correct).”
Truth be damned — Truthout is damned.