It is now obvious. Democrat Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg is a liar and the FBI thinks he is corrupt. That is why the FBI demanded Senator Calderon be wired and tape Steinberg in regard to his relationship with a Long Beach donor over a long period of time. The rumors in Sacramento that Steinberg was in the pocket of a Long Beach hospital executive has been swirling for years. But, to be fair, similar rumors about other elected have also been around.
The question for the media should not be whether Calderon is corrupt, that is to be determined. B ut, the media should be asking why the FBI wanted Steinberg secretly taped. Where is the media in investigating this mess? We all know the FBI does not leak. The fact that Al Jazeera, a Mid-Eastern media service e known to be friendly to radicals around the world, got the story is also another question the media refuses to investigate. This was NOT a leak—they were given the story. Why?
“Steinberg’s spokesman, Mark Hedlund, said the U.S. attorney’s office has sent Steinberg a letter saying he is considered a potential witness but is not a target of the investigation, according to AP. Steinberg did not release the letter.
De Leon received a similar letter dated Nov. 1 and did release it.”
Judge orders federal government to respond to Calderon retaliation allegations (Read the order here)
Frank Stoltze, KPCC, 11/14/13
A federal judge in Sacramento has ordered the federal government to respond to allegations by state Sen. Ron Calderon that the FBI retaliated against him for not cooperating in a sting operation.
The clerk for U.S. District Judge Troy Nunley says the standard order requires all defendants to respond to a complaint.
Calderon alleges FBI agents repeatedly asked him to secretly record Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento and state Sen. Kevin de Leon of Los Angeles. He says the FBI raided his offices shortly after he refused to participate in the sting, and claims the agency later leaked an affidavit detailing bribery charges against him. The affidavit details a sting in which Calderon allegedly accepted bribes in return for legislative action.
The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office refused to comment on the allegations. Steinberg and de Leon say the U.S. Attorney has told them they are considered potential witnesses — not targets — of a corruption investigation.
Steinberg said Calderon is lashing out after the Senate Rules Committee stripped the veteran L.A.-area senator of his committee assignments earlier this week, the Associated Press reports.
“I’m not the target of an investigation,” Steinberg told Capital Public Radio. “I’m not, have not been. I’m not the target of an investigation.”
Steinberg’s spokesman, Mark Hedlund, said the U.S. attorney’s office has sent Steinberg a letter saying he is considered a potential witness but is not a target of the investigation, according to AP. Steinberg did not release the letter.
De Leon received a similar letter dated Nov. 1 and did release it.
Calderon represents southeast Los Angeles, including Montebello, Whittier and Norwalk. Earlier this week, more than a dozen local elected officials called for his resignation.
