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A Form of Witness Tampering
The four-star Air Force general who oversees Air Force Space Command walked into a highly secured room on Capitol Hill a week ago to give a classified briefing to lawmakers and staff, and dropped a surprise. Pressed by members, Gen. William Shelton said the White House tried to pressure him to change his testimony to make it more favorable to a company tied to a large Democratic donor.
The episode —confirmed by The Daily Beast in interviews with administration officials and the chairman of a congressional oversight committee —is the latest in a string of incidents that have given Republicans sudden fodder for questions about whether the Obama administration is politically interfering in routine government matters that affect donors or fundraisers. Already, the FBI and a House committee are investigating a federal loan guarantee to a now failed solar firm called Solyndra that is tied to a large Obama fundraiser.
Now the Pentagon has been raising concerns about a new wireless project by a satellite broadband company in Virginia called LightSquared, whose majority owner is an investment fund run by Democratic donor Philip Falcone.
According to officials familiar with the situation, Shelton’s prepared testimony was leaked in advance to the company. And the White House asked the general to alter the testimony to add two points: that the general supported the White House policy to add more broadband for commercial use; and that the Pentagon would try to resolve the questions around LightSquared with testing in just 90 days. Shelton chafed at the intervention, which seemed to soften the Pentagon’s position and might be viewed as helping the company as it tries to get the project launched, officials said.
“There was an attempt to influence the text of the testimony and to engage LightSquared in the process in order to bias his testimony,” Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) said in an interview. “The only people who were involved in the process in preparation for the hearing included the Department of Defense, the White House, and the Office Management and Budget.”
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Rev. Racist Idaho Spud
September 16th, 2011
Oh Yeah!! When it comes to believing Barack Obama or some four star general who are people going to believe?
Bill
September 16th, 2011
Jail obama now!
Bill
September 16th, 2011
After you jail obama, put the wookie in a zoo.
Sarge
September 16th, 2011
Another good week for the Obama machine while he is out in the woods yelling “pass my bill.”
Plain Jane
September 16th, 2011
Another example of “the Chicago way.”
super toe
September 16th, 2011
Is it possible that the Democrats and media are realizing that with Obama’s approval numbers, they are seeing the handwriting on the wall and are going to start revealing more about this man, so they can primary him?
Hurry, someone make some popcorn…the show is about to start.
fb
September 16th, 2011
Forget the jobs bill, because it’s a piece of crap legislation. I want, no I demand, an accountablity of all stimulus funds spent. And I demand that all those with political connections that received these funds illegally be imprisoned and all their assests returned to the government.
STOP THE CORRUPTION NOW!!!
MsTebo
September 16th, 2011
Unfortunately, fb, that will never happen. The corruption has spread too far. We need that “Reset” button Hillary gave to Russia.
mak
September 16th, 2011
Their is so much shit hitting the fan that the fan has stopped running. It’s actually sitting in one big pile of shit. Soon their won’t be a big enough building to house the fan covered in shit.
Twellsy
September 16th, 2011
And even with the Solyndra thing, these thieves are trying to jam thru money to companies like Solyndra, so called “green” jobs. they know the jig (npi) is up and they are going to slash and burn.
Trixie Bluebell
September 16th, 2011
OK boys, get “The One’s” cell ready at Leavenworth!