FBI begins probe to investigate allegations that News Corp hacked phones of 9-11 victims. Well now, things just got a LOT more interesting!

Courtesy of the LA Times:

Responding to allegations from several Washington lawmakers, the FBI has opened an investigation into whether Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. attempted to hack into the telephones of victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the families of those who died.

According to federal law enforcement sources, the decision by the FBI's field office in New York to launch the criminal probe came after several members of Congress raised concerns in letters to FBI headquarters, questioning whether reporters for the media empire may have tried to compromise Sept. 11 victims just as they reportedly hacked into the phones of numerous individuals in England.

"We are doing this based on their requests," said an FBI source, who asked not to be identified because the investigation is just getting underway. "But after reviewing the letters and their allegations, and after consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York, we are proceeding."

At the Department of Justice, officials also acknowledged they are "reviewing" the allegations by Rep. Peter T. King (R-N.Y.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and others that Sept. 11 victims and families may have been put at risk by News Corp.

"If these allegations are proven true," King wrote in his letter to FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, "the conduct would merit felony charges for attempting to violate various federal statutes related to corruption of public officials and prohibitions against wiretapping. Any person found guilty of this purported conduct should receive the harshest sanctions available under law."

I have to imagine that there are those working at Fox News right now who are trying desperately to clear their email trash bins and clean up their hard drives before the investigation leads the FBI right to their door. Because folks, you just KNOW that this was not something that just took place on the other side of the Atlantic.

I also have to imagine that there are some disgruntled ex-News Corp, and Fox News employees that are more than willing to help the FBI with their case.

Remember when I promised you that this would be a great summer?

Well to be honest there was really NO WAY I could have imagined that it would be THIS great!

Dairygate floats back onto the horizon.

Courtesy of Mat-Su Frontiersman:

The Alaska State Commission for Human Rights has ruled that discrimination and wrongful termination complaints filed against Matanuska Creamery by two former employees have merit.
Former creamery office administrator Kay Schaugaard and former pasteurizer Amy Moore, who are both Mormon, allege company co-owner and Chief Financial Officer Karen Olson made disparaging remarks about Mormons and not wanting “any more (expletive) Mormons” working for the company. They also claim co-owner Kyle Beus did not take their discrimination complaints seriously before they were fired more than two years ago.

Schaugaard, who hasn’t bought creamery milk since she was ordered to leave the premises Dec. 5, 2008, said Monday she strongly suspects her termination is directly related to her allegations that company executives misspent federal funds.

Schaugaard said Monday the Federal Bureau of Investigation is conducting an investigation into the alleged funds misuse. When contacted earlier this year, the FBI would neither confirm nor deny such an investigation exists, as is its policy.

“Some of the financial transactions that I was in the process of researching were extremely suspicious,” Schaugaard said Monday. “I couldn’t track where the grant money had been deposited. Kyle Beus and Karen Olson would not give me the data I needed or the answers I needed to make sense of their finances.”

After a 22-month investigation, the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights ruled last week that Schaugaard and Moore have a legitimate case against the company for religious and sexual discrimination.

I have to say that one of the most frustrating parts of watching the slow disintegration of Sarah Palin's reputation, and the end of her political aspirations, is the federal piece.  The Feds simply do NOT move very quickly, and even if there are some slips which alert you to an investigation, NOBODY will tell you anything about it.

However I will say that, if my sources are correct, THIS is not the only Federal investigation which might bite half term celebrity Governor Sarah Palin, and her administration, in the ass.

But don't worry Palin-bots.  All your Queen has to do is add a scene to her propaganda film "The Undefeated" of her running into a burning barn and rescuing still smoldering cows, while her hair and makeup remain completely untouched, to convince the public that she is innocent of any wrongdoing in this case.

BTW if you want the very BEST roundup of the pertinent details about Dairygate, just head right on over to Palingates and let Regina bring you up to speed.