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August 7, 2007

Watchdog group alleges that Boehner leaked classified info

Posted: August 7th, 2007 12:45 PM ET

Boehner is accused of leaking classified information.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics requested Monday that the Department of Justice investigate a possible leak of classified information by House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. The group sent a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales alleging that Boehner may have violated federal criminal law during an appearance on the Fox News show “Your World with Neil Cavuto.”

During his appearance on Cavuto’s show, Boehner said, “There’s been a ruling, over the last four or five months, that prohibits the ability of our intelligence services and our counterintelligence people for listening to two terrorists in other parts of the world where the communication could come through the United States.”

The group’s request to Gonzales alleges that, until Boehner’s statement, it was not publicly known that portions of the Bush administration’s secret warrantless wiretapping program had been rejected by the special federal court designated to oversee the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The request to Gonzales also states that Boehner apparently made the comment to Cavuto “for partisan political gain,” in order to put pressure on congressional Democrats to pass emergency intelligence legislation.

Brian Kennedy, press secretary to the House Minority Leader, responded to the group’s allegations by releasing a statement Tuesday arguing, “The fact of the matter is that Mr. Boehner was referring to a FISA court judge’s orders in January – outlined in a publicly-available letter from the Attorney General to Congress.”

– CNN Associate Producer Martina Stewart

Filed under: John Boehner

5 Comments | Permalink


Grovin, Darnassus, IL		August 8th, 2007 12:43 pm ET John Boehner is an example of everything that's wrong with the Republican Party today. Throw these neocons out and bring back the real conservatives! Limited spending! Individual freedoms! Anyone remember these concepts?

Bill, Alabama		August 7th, 2007 4:15 pm ET The Republicans should not worry about his actions. He will claim "executive priviledge" and not be able to be prosecuted.

Lyons Steve		August 7th, 2007 2:00 pm ET /* And the very people who condemned Bush for doing it, have now, with their vote, admitted that, wiretapping helps keep Americans safe. Let me say that again, wiretapping helps keep Americans safe, just as Bush said it. */ No, what's happening is a continuation of the perversion of the Constitution in legislative chambers: the criminal Bushies create a law, tell everyone that listens it's necessary to fight terrorism, then rushed the bill through Congress before it can even be debated. It's the continuing lies and fear that the far-right has been successfully using since 9-11. The Democrats are a useless, weak party of Bush butt kissers and shameful caving in under pressure. Useless. A third of the party seems to be Lieberman-type traitors. This country is sucking wind politically at the moment. We are NOT the old, free United States of America. George Bush and his minions are indeed creating the Orwellian 1984 scenario that everyone used to laugh at as, "can't happen in this country." Anybody wanna laugh at Hillary's "vast, right-wing conspiracy" now?

Ryan, New York, NY		August 7th, 2007 1:29 pm ET Maybe he should go to the floor of the House and cry because he just aided terrorists.

RightyTighty		August 7th, 2007 1:00 pm ET Hey Libby.., Attacking Boehner now for apply too much pressure?? Where's all that impeachment talk? Where's those articles demanding Bush live up to antiquated FISA laws? Dems just voted to let Bush listen in on your private phone calls and emails any time he wants to! What was illegal is now legal. And the very people who condemned Bush for doing it, have now, with their vote, admitted that, wiretapping helps keep Americans safe. Let me say that again, wiretapping helps keep Americans safe, just as Bush said it. Aren't politicians despicable..
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