Aldrich Ames spy case is not an example of illegal warrantless wiretaps...

[Junkdrawer]

Aldrich Ames spy case is not an example of illegal warrantless wiretaps or searches by the Clinton Administration.

Ever since it was revealed that President Bush authorized warrantless wiretaps of Americans, Republican strategists have been scrambling to find precedents for his illegal activities in earlier administrations, or case law that would legitimize extra-legal surveillance at the behest of the cheif executive.

They haven't been able to find any, but the attempt is rather fun to watch.

....

In reality, the Ames case is a textbook example of how the FBI was able to uncover a deadly foreign agent without the use of extra-legal authority from the President.

The FBI followed proper protocol for searches of Ames's home and office through the Attorney Generals (AG) office. Also, as required by FISA, all electronic surveillance of Ames was authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. According to Aldrich Ames's Criminal Complaint form:

"Paragraph 11: As a result of information obtained through electronic surveillance authorized by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, searches authorized by the Attorney General pursuant to section 2.5 of Executive Order 12333, trash covers, and other investigation which is detailed herein, I believe AMES has traveled abroad to meet surreptitiously with KGB/SVRR."

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http://www.brainshrub.com/aldrich-ames-case?PHPSESSID=1ffcf65e0c5ba2571c71a9fc290bf025