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Rep. Harman's Alleged Quid Pro Quo Scandal
Jane Harman
Although it is all hearsay at this point, the New York Times (and, well, the whole Internet) is abuzz about Southbay Congresswoman Jane Harman's alleged involvement in aiding two lobbyists in exchange for becoming the the all powerful chair of the House Intelligence Committee. Pro-Israel lobbyists Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee were under investigation and eventually indicted for violating the World War I-era Espionage Act for apparently sharing high level Iran and Iraq information. Harman, who was reportedly caught up in some NSA wiretapping, was trying to get them lenient treatment in exchange for her committee chairmanship. If she came through with her end of the bargain, an Israeli agent would lobby Nancy Pelosi to appoint her to head the committee. Well, that's one take on it and if you listen to Jeff Stein, who broke the story in Congresional Quarterly, talk to Warren Olney on KCRW, you'll hear his take.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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