The Curious Case of James Wolfe Continues…
- It is highly likely there were no redactions in the copy Wolfe leaked to the media.
- It is highly likely Wolfe was caught in a leak hunt, and the copy given to him included a specific, and intentionally wrong, internal date using October 19th as the origination date for FISA application approval. (The actual date was Oct 21st).
- The October 19th date then shows up in subsequent media reports which were based on the leak. The New York Times and Washington Post used the wrong date; the concentric reporting of the NYT and WaPo spread the wrong date like a virus.
- However, despite overwhelming and easy to prove evidence against him, Wolfe was never charged with the Carter Page FISA leak. The DOJ/FBI have him dead-to-rights on that leak, but he was charged with the more disingenuous crime of lying to the FBI.
WASHINGTON—Members of the Senate Intelligence Committee have been notified they may be asked for testimony as part of the criminal trial of a veteran Senate staffer accused of lying to the FBI while working for the panel.Attorneys for James A. Wolfe sent letters to all 15 senators on the committee, notifying them that their testimony may be sought as part of Mr. Wolfe’s defense, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Mr. Wolfe, who for nearly 30 years served as the director of security for the intelligence committee, was arrested last month and charged with lying to the FBI about his contacts with reporters while the bureau was conducting an investigation into leaks of classified information to journalists. Mr. Wolfe wasn’t charged with leaking any information.Mr. Wolfe’s defense lawyers are considering calling the senators as part of the proceedings for a variety of reasons, including as potential character witnesses and to rebut some of the allegations made by the government in the criminal complaint, these people say. (link)
…”to rebut some of the allegations” … “in the criminal complaint”
WASHINGTON – [cont,,] People familiar with the case are bracing for the possibly that lawmakers could try to invoke constitutional immunity to avoid testifying. The “speech or debate” clause of the constitution states that members are largely privileged from arrest while attending sessions of Congress and that “they shall not be questioned in any other place” about their legislative duties.However, very little case law exists on the clause. David Schultz, who teaches law at the University of Minnesota, said he wouldn’t expect a court to entirely excuse members of Congress from testifying in a criminal proceeding, even if it is related to their official duties. (more)
- March 16th, 2017, SSCI requests copy of FISA application from Court
- March 17th, 2017, a copy of the application with an intentionally adjusted date (Oct 19th) was delivered to James Wolfe, Director of Security for the SSCI.
- March 17th, 2017, Wolfe sends reporter Ali Watkins a copy of the original FISA application via 82 picture text messages (one per page) thereby distributing the wrong date. He may have also shared with other reporters.
- Numerous media reports surface using the October 19th false date.
- October 31st, 2017, FBI notifies Security Director James Wolfe of a leak investigation (hunt for leakers) looking at the Senate Intelligence Committee.
- December 14th, 2017, Ali Watkins announces she will no longer be covering the SSCI.
- December 15th, 2017, FBI confronts James Wolfe with evidence that he is one of the people leaking classified intelligence to journalists.
- Before the end of December 2017, Wolfe resigns.
- FBI gains national security search warrant against reporter Ali Watkins and all of her electronic communications. Watkins is notified by her network provider on February 13th, 2018.
- May 3rd, 2018, grand jury proceedings against Wolfe. Indictment remains under seal.
- June 7th, 2018, indictment is unsealed – James Wolfe is arrested.
♦James Wolfe Arrest – SEE HERE
♦The Story Behind the Wolfe Arrest – SEE HERE
♦Details of Wolfe leaking FISA application – SEE HERE
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