FBI Wanted Obama Plotters Charged, But A Rove Appointee Said No

[kpete]

FBI Wanted Obama Plotters Charged, But A Rove Appointee Said No
By: David Neiwert Wednesday September 3, 2008 5:45 pm


Tharin Gartrell, 28; Shawn Robert Adolf, 33;
and Nathan Johnson, 32

We noticed last week that it was awfully peculiar that Colorado’s U.S. Attorney, Troy Eid, had so airily dismissed conspiracy charges against the three white-supremacist tweakers who were caught planning to assassinate Barack Obama at last week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver.

..............................

Even more significant, beyond the details of the plot, was the fact that, as the Colorado Independent notes, the FBI asked for more serious charges to be filed and were turned down.

....................

Another funny thing: When a black man in prison sent a threatening letter containing baby powder to John McCain, Troy Eid brought down the full force of the law, complete with press conferences and public declarations that "We won't stand for threats of this kind in Colorado."

But when it’s a claque of white men with rifles, disguises, and all the accoutrement of a conspiracy – as well as open admissions to it – Troy Eid isn’t worried. After all, they just a bunch of harmless, tweakers, right? … Just like little Timmy McVeigh.

..............................

Based on the evidence, FBI special agent Robert Sawyer believed there was probable cause to charge the men with conspiracy to kill Senator Obama. However, US Attorney Troy Eid last week said there is insufficient evidence to indicate a true threat, plot or conspiracy against the senator.
http://www.coloradoindependent.com/6857/court-docs-suicide-mission-planned-in-plot-to-kill-obama-at-dnc/

http://firedoglake.com/2008/09/03/fbi-wanted-obama-plotters-charged-but-a-rove-appointee-said-no/

[Diane R]

1. Apparently it's not illegal to threaten a democrat.

[NoQuarter]

36. ..or a black man.

[George II]

37. In today's day and age, both are just plain 'Merkan!

Just like it's 'Merkan for white trailer trash to get the republican VP nomination.

[me b zola]

2. I just don't know what to say.(n/t)

[HopeHoops]

59. How about quoting Zazoo from Alladin

"Oh, now THERE's a surprise. I'm going to have a heart attack from that surprise."

[WeDidIt]

3. THOSE MOTHERFUCKERS ARE GONNA LET SOMEBODY KILL BARACK!!!!!

I'm just so FUCKING FURIOUS RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

[berni_mccoy]

22. The same words came to my mind

[nolabels]

32. I would say it's even money that they were in active mode looking for recruits to do it

They seem to have become so complacent as to have even forgotten that there were elections this year :shrug:

[helderheid]

34. I'm just sick.

[ElboRuum]

63. Jeebuz... Quit shouting!

Oh, wait, you have every right to shout given this turn of events.

Sorry. Please continue. Venting is very therapeutic.

[Joe Chi Minh]

68. I think that was the message they wanted to send by using those lads: a set-up.

It was intentionally harmless, but the message, intentionally menacing and sinister. "We're kind of ambivalent...conflicted about protecting Obama."

The laughable drug find, seemingly used as a half-baked excuse for not taking the actors seriously. Pity they didn't give Sirhan Sirhan some, but he was just a patsy, wasn't he? Rove's involvement tends to confirm it in my mind.

[mzmolly]

4. Wow

:wow:

[WeDidIt]

5. THISIS FUCKING REPREHENSIBLE!!!

Another funny thing: When a black man in prison sent a threatening letter containing baby powder to John McCain, Troy Eid brought down the full force of the law, complete with press conferences and public declarations that "We won't stand for threats of this kind in Colorado."

But when it’s a claque of white men with rifles, disguises, and all the accoutrement of a conspiracy – as well as open admissions to it – Troy Eid isn’t worried. After all, they just a bunch of harmless, tweakers, right? … Just like little Timmy McVeigh.

But then, when you’re a Karl Rove operative promoted to deliver justice the Republican way, as Troy Eid is, that’s the way the scales fall. As Marcy reported at the time, Eid in fact nearly didn't get the Colorado job because of concerns about "improper lobbying."

His failure to take this matter seriously is itself a serious matter. When law-enforcement officials let this stuff slip by, they send a dangerous message to other would-be plotters out there. And next time, they may in fact be more competent.

[Cha]

6. Anyone who rove appoints..you know has to be an a$$hole.

And why isn't rove wearing prison orange for treason?

[WeDidIt]

7. We need a list of Rove approved appointees to tje JD

and U.S. MArshalls.

These motherfuckers are out to get Barack killed!

[Cha]

12. They're so teched in the head..

they couldn't care less if anything happens to our Dem Candidate.

[nichomachus]

26. How many times do we have to go over this.

Rove isn't in prison for treason, because he's a Republican. They can do anything they want. There are no penalties for them -- even for treason. Please try to keep up.

:sarcasm:

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

8. Can't wait till Obama wipes that slate clean

[glitch]

9. Do they have lamp posts in Denver?

What?

[KeepItReal]

10. US Attorney Troy Eid knows Abramoff and was a replacement for a fired US Attorney

Oh yeah, and he worked on prosecuting the CEO of Quest who refused to turn over citizens' phone records without a warrant.

Check out his Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Eid

[Major Hogwash]

13. Now, that's what I call important voter information, right there!!!

Eid should be out chased out of office by February!!!

[mod mom]

49. Sounds like he did favors for Abramoff client and was bypassed for vetting:

May 08, 2007

Did Troy Eid Also Bypass the Vetting Process?

by emptywheel

My first thought, after reading Carol Leonnig's article on how DOJ is letting select candidates bypass normal screening processes, was of Troy Eid, Colorado's USA. After all, Troy Eid wrote a letter trying to persuade Gale Norton to make judgments in favor of an Abramoff client, the Mashpee tribe, yet he didn't register as a lobbyist for the tribe. And as for the one Greenberg Traurig client he did register for as a lobbyist, just about every other team member from GT was found to have been involved in improper dealings. Here's a guy just one step removed from the stench of Jack Abramoff, winning nomination to serve as the US Attorney for Colorado. Did he go through the proper vetting process?

And in fact, there were inklings during his nomination process that there was a problem uncovered in his vetting process. Back in 2005, the first time his nomination was considered, there were rumors his nomination had hit a snag during the vetting process--specifically on the issue of improper lobbying.

But now the mandatory background check on Eid has hit a few snags, with the FBI asking around about some questionable lobbying decisions he may have been a part of. Eid left his job as Governor Owens’ counsel to become a shareholder at the national law firm of Greenberg Traurig, for which he was an aggressive rainmaker. In recent days and weeks, former partners of the firm’s Denver office, clients, rivals, and state agency employees have all been questioned about Eid, and now word is that the FBI may even be contemplating the rare move of asking Governor Owens for an interview regarding Eid’s lobbying activities. One of the questions they might ask: Was Eid making lobbying deals at the same time he was drawing a state paycheck?

Like I said, that was back in 2005, when the Abramoff scandal was still fresh in people's minds. Eid stepped down from consideration, saying the process was taking too much time. All the while, Eid kept telling the same fable about his association with Abramoff. On at least one level, the fable was incorrect--the suggestion that Eid started (in November 2003) at the same time as Abramoff was ousted (in May 2004). As for his assertion that he never worked with Abramoff, in any capacity, perhaps he discounts working closely with very close associates of Abramoff. Or perhaps his memory of Abramoff contacts is just as faulty as the White House's. In any case, we don't know that his elusive Abramoff ties have anything to do with rumors delays in his approval in 2005, but I'd sure hope something like that would raise concerns during vetting.

-snip
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/05/did_troy_eid_al.html

[BeyondGeography]

11. Evil fucks

[crickets]

14. Is there some felony obstruction or dereliction of duty in there somewhere?

Since when does Colorado’s U.S. Attorney trump the wishes of the FBI, especially when a Presidential candidate is involved? Technically, doesn't that make it a federal matter? How can he turn them down?

[WeDidIt]

15. Nope, the fucks cannot be prosecuted for this

They are telling the ignorant fucks out there that they have open season now.

MOTHERFUCKING COCKSUCKERS!!!!!

[Mr Hedley Bowes]

64. File under Karl Rove: 'Obstruction of Justice' n/t

[crickets]

79. Oh, I understand that, to a degree.

But forgetting fat little two-chins Karl for a moment:

If it were purely a state matter, under the state's jurisdiction, and the Colorado U.S. Attorney told the FBI to take a hike, I might cheer a bit because that makes sense.

In matters involving a Presidential candidate - any candidate - it seems to me it would be a federal concern. Screw the state stooge, even if he is beholden to Karl the Kraptacular. If the FBI doesn't bother to push back, the FBI has dropped the ball on purpose, and that bothers me.

Yes, Agent Mike, I am bothered by that.

Wasn't there a guy in a bar who made a Bush joke involving bodily harm, a guy who ACTUALLY WENT TO JAIL for it? These guys had guns and a plan. Regardless of whether it was a good plan or they were capable of carrying it out, it seems very likely they were going to try.

The FBI lets a state office tell them to drop it? Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

Or tripped on purpose.

[Usrename]

16. Is it fascism yet?

I cannot believe we are letting this happen.

[liberalla]

17. Infuriating!

I am so SICK of these criminals! :grr:

[RagAss]

18. WHERE THE FUCK IS THE MSM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[defendandprotect]

44. If you rephrase that...."Where the Fuck is the corporate-press" . . .

you might answer that yourself . . . !!!

[Ian_rd]

50. Rephrased again: "Why won't wealthy corporate monopolies report on this?!?!"

... Oh yea.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

19. Good catch! More double standard, like out-of-wedlock sex double standard, and many more. . nt

[chill_wind]

20. K & R. Needs even more kicks and recs. n/t

[berni_mccoy]

21. Troy Ed Needs To be Arrested For Conspiracy to commit murder

[mak3cats]

23. I'm so appalled, I'm absolutely speechless! (n/t)

[MagickMuffin]

24. Here's some interesting info:

However, a Colorado prosecutor, Troy Eid, told the Rocky Mountain News there was no credible threat against Mr Obama or any of the delegates to the Democratic Party's national convention. After arresting Tharin Gartrell, 28, police went to the Cherry Creek Hotel, about eight kilometres from Denver, where they arrested an associate, Shawn Robert Adolf, 33.

Adolf broke his ankle when he jumped from a sixth-floor window when trying to flee.

The hotel is being used to house delegates and journalists covering the convention. A third man, Nathan Johnson, 32, was arrested in a Denver motel.

Johnson is being held on drug charges and Adolf is a fugitive with seven arrest warrants issued for him. Federal investigators are reportedly still trying to assess the extent of the threat to Senator Obama. "Because this matter is currently under investigation, there is little we can say right now," Mr Eid said.

"We can say this: we're absolutely confident there is no credible threat to the candidate, the Democratic National Convention, or the people of Colorado."

The police chief in Glendale, Colorado, where the hotel is located, said information uncovered in the course of his department's investigation led to the case being turned over to the Secret Service, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.



________________________________________________________

MR. TROY EID (Discussion Leader) (Chief Counsel to Colorado Governor Bill Owens)
...
His name is -Troy Eid.He is an extraordinary, indeed, a remarkable young man. America will come to know him in time, just as Colorado is beginning to know him now.He is the Chief Counsel to Colorado Governor Bill Owens and President of The Federalist Society in Colorado, the Lawyers Chapter.

He grew up in Jefferson County, Colorado and is a graduate of the Jefferson County public schools.
...
And I think that is what the Governor of Colorado and Troy Eid have been trying to do.

Troy assisted the Governor in maintaining constant electronic communications with the National Guard and they were working, as you recall, with the SWAT teams trying to recapture the school and restore safety throughout its premises.He helped with the families and their victims at Leewood and in the days thereafter.

He is a member of the Governor's Task Force on Victim Support for the Columbine tragedy.He is also a principal architect of the Columbine Review Commission, an independent panel of experts which was announced this week by the Governor of Colorado to help assist the overall response of law enforcement, school officials and others to this tragedy.

I think I would like to take just briefly a moment to say one thing person, one short thing personal about Troy.He graduated from Stanford, the University of Chicago Law School.
...
And with Troy Eid and this distinguished panel, I invite you and everyone in America to address the question, fully, comprehensively, honorably and ethically -- "Did the law cause Columbine?"


http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=227408016&page_url=%2f%2fwww.fed-soc.org%2fPublications%2fpracticegroupnewsletters%2fPG%2520Links%2fcolumbine.htm&page_last_updated=10%2f24%2f2006+6%3a32%3a26+PM&firstName=Troy&lastName=Eid


_________________________________________________________________



PRESS Monday, February 20, 2006 12:18 PM
Six degrees of Jack Abramoff

Staff Editorial
Allison Eid, a professor in the CU School of Law, was recently appointed to the Colorado Supreme Court by Gov. Bill Owens. If you are anything like us, the first thing you asked when you heard about the appointment was, “Who?”

Allison Eid is the current Solicitor General of Colorado and is the wife of Troy Eid, the former legal counsel to the governor who now works in the Denver office of Greenburg Traurig.

What is the firm of Greenburg Traurig? It’s just the firm that crooked lobbyist Jack Abramoff was just fired from after pleading guilty to three felonies.

Unfortunately, it’s not unheard of in this day and age for a politican to be linked in someway to Jack Abramaoff. After all, he had his hand in the metaphorical cookie jar of so many things.

http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=1657780164&page_url=%2f%2fwww.thecampuspress.com%2fopinion%2f2006%2f02%2fIssue6staffed.php&page_last_updated=7%2f30%2f2006+1%3a02%3a05+AM&firstName=Troy&lastName=Eid


___________________________________________________________________

He is also an outside attorney for Wal-Mart

__________________________________________

I guess since he's a member of the Federalist Society that explains a lot.

[stillcool]

30. oh man....

I feel sick.

[mod mom]

45. I hope TPM looks into this in depth. UFB!

[bushisanidiot]

25. Excellent point!!

Those three white guys who were planning to assassinate Obama hardly got any press or any punishment at all! It was a blip on the screen.

[suffragette]

27. Also, compare to those Charged with "Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism"

in Minnesota.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3469333
In what appears to be the first use of criminal charges under the 2002 Minnesota version of the Federal Patriot Act, Ramsey County Prosecutors have formally charged 8 alleged leaders of the RNC Welcoming Committee with Conspiracy to Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism. Monica Bicking, Eryn Trimmer, Luce Guillen Givins, Erik Oseland, Nathanael Secor, Robert Czernik, Garrett Fitzgerald, and Max Spector, face up to 7 1/2 years in prison under the terrorism enhancement charge which allows for a 50% increase in the maximum penalty.

So allegations from a paid informant that people were planning something constitute enough evidence to charge people as "terrorists" but an FBI agent finding probable cause to file charges against these white supremacists isn't enough?

Oh right, RNC was in Minnesota and DNC in Denver.

[izzybeans]

28. It sounds like the U.S. Attorney is in on the conspiracy.

[Emit]

29. Did Troy Eid Also Bypass the Vetting Process?

Did Troy Eid Also Bypass the Vetting Process?
By: emptywheel Tuesday May 8, 2007 2:59 pm

My first thought, after reading Carol Leonnig's article on how DOJ is letting select candidates bypass normal screening processes, was of Troy Eid, Colorado's USA. After all, Troy Eid wrote a letter trying to persuade Gale Norton to make judgments in favor of an Abramoff client, the Mashpee tribe, yet he didn't register as a lobbyist for the tribe. And as for the one Greenberg Traurig client he did register for as a lobbyist, just about every other team member from GT was found to have been involved in improper dealings. Here's a guy just one step removed from the stench of Jack Abramoff, winning nomination to serve as the US Attorney for Colorado. Did he go through the proper vetting process?

And in fact, there were inklings during his nomination process that there was a problem uncovered in his vetting process. Back in 2005, the first time his nomination was considered, there were rumors his nomination had hit a snag during the vetting process--specifically on the issue of improper lobbying.

But now the mandatory background check on Eid has hit a fewsnags, with the FBI asking around about some questionable lobbyingdecisions he may have been a part of. Eid left his job as Governor Owens’ counsel to become a shareholder at the national law firm of Greenberg Traurig, for which he was an aggressive rainmaker.In recent days and weeks, former partners of the firm’s Denver office,clients, rivals, and state agency employees have all been questionedabout Eid, and now word is that the FBI may even be contemplating the rare move of asking Governor Owens for an interview regarding Eid’s lobbying activities. One of the questions they might ask: Was Eid making lobbying deals at the same time he was drawing a state paycheck?

Like I said, that was back in 2005, when the Abramoff scandal was still fresh in people's minds. Eid stepped down from consideration, saying the process was taking too much time. All the while, Eid kept telling the same fable about his association with Abramoff. On at least one level, the fable was incorrect--the suggestion that Eid started (in November 2003) at the same time as Abramoff was ousted (in May 2004). As for his assertion that he never worked with Abramoff, in any capacity, perhaps he discounts working closely with very close associates of Abramoff. Or perhaps his memory of Abramoff contacts is just as faulty as the White House's. In any case, we don't know that his elusive Abramoff ties have anything to do with rumors delays in his approval in 2005, but I'd sure hope something like that would raise concerns during vetting.

~snip~

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2007/05/08/did-troy-eid-also-bypass-the-vetting-process/

[QueenOfCalifornia]

31. I don't even know what to say

It is so fucking obvious that Troy Eid needs to pull his head out of his ass.

U.S. Attorneys heads roll real quickly when a change of guard occurs and he will be sent packing when Obama is in the WH.

It is vital for people to understand that a Democrat in power changes the entire political structure, right down to the city level. Our u.s. Attorney, where I live, was hand picked by Bush - her loyalty is not to the US Constitution but to Bush - Also, note that most current U.S. Attorneys are members of The Federalist Society - If you want to cry, go to their web site and read this: http://www.fed-soc.org/aboutus/

[progdog]

38. Already crying

out of frustration. We have to take our country back.

[Dr.Phool]

33. Is it impeachable yet, Nancy?

The corpse rots from the head down.

[Kermitt Gribble]

35. Contact Info for this POS's office

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/co/contact_info/contact_info/index.html

OFFICE INFORMATION
U.S. Attorney Troy Eid

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Dave Gaouette

Main Office
1225 17th Street
Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Durango Branch Office

AUSAs James Candelaria and Wallace Kleindienst

103 Sheppard Dr.
Room 215
Durango, CO 81301
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Grand Junction Branch Office

AUSAs Wyatt Angelo and Dondi Osborne

400 Rood Ave.
Suite 220
Grand Junction, CO 81501
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone] - Fax


[e-mail]

[AuntPatsy]

39. I wish the media would pick up this, I mean really, if this is not proof positive

how low they will go to ensure they remain holding america hostage than what will? I know of even some racists who would find this heavily troubling believe it or not...

[bkkyosemite]

40. Everyone needs to call the MSM, the FBI and this Troy and Complain. The more calls the more action.

[pnorman]

41. It's threads like this, that illustrates just what a VALUABLE resource DU is!

n/t

pnorman

[Bernardo de La Paz]

42. RNC Molotov Cocktail Plotter Charged. Obama Assassination Plotters NOT Charged. Double Standard.

Plot to attack Republican property and you get charged:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5igFOaHE5s2aM2SK_n_wlAB0b1aygD92VSBT00

Plot to assassinate an African American and you get a pass.

Republikan double standard in operation.

[fascisthunter]

43. Asking Tough Questions about Palin in the Media is Bad

Threatening a Democratic Presidential candidates life is ok and the media won't cover it....

[happydreams]

46. Eid's history needs to be researched. He sounds like a white

supremacist himself.

[Stern21]

47. They're trying to be nice to theme that the Rovians hired.

This is astoundingly sick.

[Jax]

48. Where are those "DUers" who defended this crap in the first place

Not a one posting on this thread.

Must be "hiding'" in the gungeon....pathetic.

Alyce

[skooooo]

53. defended what?

WTF are you talking about?

[ElboRuum]

61. I second that emoticon.

:wtf:

[democrat2thecore]

51. This really is an OUTRAGE -nt

[Festivito]

52. X Post in GD. (GDP must have more DUers today.)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3921929&mesg_id=3921929

[peacetalksforall]

54. Saved by the Republican Party. Lucky punks. Almost as good as working for the Republican Party.

[pleah]

55. K&R

:mad:

[OwnedByFerrets]

56. K and R

[feemee]

57. oh yes

so true

[vanderBeth]

58. A-holes like this make me sick.

:puke:

[McCamy Taylor]

60. This sends the signal that the WH condones attacks on Obama.

Try it and you will get a wrist slap is the message.

[barbtries]

62. that's sick

with the history of assassination in this country you'd think they'd follow this through.

[curkofsk]

65. Troy Eid

So let's total up here; they can use the corporate press, the pollsters (Gallup), and eVoting companies to steal elections, they can use stooges in the justice department and on the bench to jail democratic officials in the South, and now they want to leave the door open for good ol' boys who may want to take a shot at the Democratic nominee. Maybe we should just skip to the end and start preparing for civil war? I think America is rapidly approaching it's Guillotine moment.

[santamargarita]

66. I can't wait to get this Goddamn bunch out of office and in jail!

Starting with this fat, greasy shit-bag!

[AllieB]

67. Somebody send it to Keith or Rachel.

Maybe it will get some attention.

[redqueen]

69. ...

There are no words.

:nuke:

[Danger Mouse]

70. I can't WAIT until we can sweep garbage like this into the dustbin of history.

[MasonJar]

71. Why would Rove have power over the FBI or for that matter the Col AG?

[The Backlash Cometh]

72. Beware. They're going ballistic in even the most ordinary newsgroups.

They're making comments like this one:

GOD HELP US IF WE JUST SIT IDLY BY AND LET THIS PERSON BECOME
OUR NEXT PRESIDENT. IT WOULD BE SUICIDAL FOR US TO DO NOTHING TO
PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING.

Don't underestimate how wacko these people will get when the one thing they've been raised to hate, wins as president. Heck, that's not all true. More than a black man, they've learned to hate Arabs, so they claim he's Arab and lying about being black to cultivate the black vote.

That's why you have to keep showing them that their leaders lied to them and hold Bush and Cheney accountable for their actions. Only then will their hate crowds begin to regain their senses.

I just can't imagine why Karl Rove is on t.v. these days, and not in court. Thank you, Nancy Pelosi for doing nothing.

[muntrv]

73. Rove loves Nazis.

[muntrv]

74. MSM of course is silent.

[NOW tense]

75. When this came out

I thought it was strange that they said they were not credible, because they did meth. Really! if someone is capable of staying up for days waiting for his or her opportunity to kill someone they are not credible. I say Thank you to Carl Rove, you have done so much damage to our fine Nation. Carl you deserve so many things.

[JimGinPA]

76. I Was Interviewed By A Local Newspaper Reporter Today...

And I brought this shit up. He told me he hadn't heard about it but was going to look into it.

[NewJeffCT]

77. may i ask why you were interviewed?

but, good job in bringing it up to him.

[JimGinPA]

78. I Was At An Obama Rally Today...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6936382


He was going to do a piece on the security and he interviewed me and a friend of mine way before the event because of the strange set up there.