Prosecutors Considering Dropping Espionage Charges Against Former AIPAC Lobbyists

[jewishlibrl]

Source: Washington Post

Federal prosecutors are considering whether to drop the charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of violating the Espionage Act, law enforcement sources and lawyers close to the case said today.

The review comes amid reports that Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) was overheard on federal wiretaps agreeing to seek lenient treatment for the two lobbyists from the Bush administration. The sources said the prospect of dropping the charges is unrelated to the disclosures about Harman's alleged role.

The review of the case against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman was triggered by a series of recent court rulings that make it harder for the government to win convictions, the sources said. Those included an appeals court decision allowing the defense to use classified information at trial and a judge's ruling that said prosecutors must show the two men knew the information they allegedly disclosed would harm the United States. That set a high bar for prosecutors because criminal intent can be difficult to prove.

The former lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee are charged with conspiring to obtain classified information and pass it to journalists and the Israeli government.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

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Shocker.

[EFerrari]

1. That must have been a big anthill that got kicked over. n/t

[Solly Mack]

2. No shit

[seemslikeadream]

3. oh no no connection whatsoever

[montanacowboy]

4. Oh, ain't that just special

Old Jane Harmon wouldn't have anything to do with this would she?

[McCamy Taylor]

6. Probably doesn't. The U.S. never needs a push to bend over for Israel.

[Marie26]

5. I wish we knew the real story here. nt

[go west young man]

7. The real story is easy.

"Anything For Israel". The hard right Israelis were all over the Bush administration and the center Israelis are all wrapped up in the DLC and the Democratic Party. It's been one of our biggest problems for decades. Yet we continue to go down that road. The world sees us support and arm Israel no matter what and we lose standing in the world. It's the same old same old.

[downindixie]

8. give me a freaking break!

I would hope that the very least these two assholes would be sent to Israel! I would at least try the suckers in court.The ruling were an appeals court decision and the DOJ should take it all the way SCOTUS.

[No Elephants]

9. This whole thing is fishier than the Atlantic used to be.

[Ian David]

10. So, what other Democrats, besides that dipshit Harmon, was The Bush Admin wiretapping? n/t

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Every member of Congress.

[Ian David]

13. I would love to hear what Michelle Bachman says in her private, unguarded moments.

Considering what she says when she KNOWS people are listening, I bet her private conversations could get her committed.

[Vidar]

12. Run away, run away!