Lawmaker (William Jefferson) to challenge FBI raid

[babylonsister]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070515/ap_on_go_co/fbi_congress;_ylt=AnaqKNvMfXXPX2bvcxfyJCqyFz4D

Lawmaker to challenge FBI raid

By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer Tue May 15, 5:16 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Rep. William Jefferson (news, bio, voting record) says the
FBI crossed the line when it raided his congressional office and wants a federal appeals court to order the return of documents.

Jefferson, D-La., says the raid last year was unconstitutional because it trampled on congressional independence. His lawyers are scheduled to argue that point Tuesday before a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

His attorneys said nearly 19,000 pages of documents and electronic files seized by prosecutors and the FBI are covered by Congress' separation of powers privilege to shield certain legislative material from executive review.

more...

[Buzz Clik]

1. Yeah. Well. We'd like to challenge his intelligence.

Tens of thousands of dollars buried in a freezer. Isn't that where everyone keeps their LEGAL cash?

[asjr]

2. And those are just his frozen assets.

[Kagemusha]

3. I like to call it 'cold cash'.

Granted, that's not the subject of this lawsuit. I'd like to see what an actual court of law has to say about the congressional privilege thing.

Ah, yes, I remember now... what I argued at the time this started, and which I still stand by, is that the whole executive review thing crumbles purely because these were raids authorized by a judge, not launched on the sole authority of the executive branch. Two branches of government against one, in essence. Jefferson seems to think there is no third branch when it comes to approving warrants and judges are just rubber stamps. Regardless, it's a pretty considerable defense against the "unilateral abuse of power" argument.

[Buzz Clik]

4. Great post (a great title -- bada boom!)