Feds bug Philly mayor's office

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » October 8, 2003, 6:04 pm

http://www.nbc10.com/politics/2541019/detail.html

NBC News correspondent Pete Williams said that several sources confirmed to him that the device was placed in the office by the U.S. government.

However, a law enforcement official cautioned that the presence of the bug there does not necessarily mean that the mayor, himself, is under investigation. Officials confirmed to NBC News it was put in place by federal investigators, though they won't say specifically whether it was the work of the FBI or another agency.

Williams said it was unclear if the surveillance was directly related to two ongoing federal investigations in Philadelphia.

One current investigation involves a no-bid, $1 million-a-year airport-services contract between the Street administration and a company owned by the mayor's brother, Milton Street.

The other investigation is related to an alleged parking-ticket fixing scandal involving more than 125,000 parking tickets between 1997 and March 2003. News of the federal parking-ticket probe first surfaced in March 2003.

The discovery of the hidden listening device in Street's City Hall office has touched off a political frenzy in Philadelphia as the Justice Department refused to say publicly whether FBI agents planted the contraption and Democrats suggested the bugging was politically motivated. (more in link)

Very creepy.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » October 8, 2003, 6:15 pm

PEEKABOO!!!!

Dammit Beavis, put your pants back on!

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » October 9, 2003, 9:11 am

Hoover's at it again. Whatever he was diong to gain attention, he will be 100% squeaky clean from here on out after this scare.

Adex_Xeda · Post by **Adex_Xeda** » October 9, 2003, 10:15 am

HAHA!

All public officials should be subject to random buggings.

Maybe the threat would keep them squeaky clean as well.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » October 9, 2003, 10:37 am

Forget random. They should all be bugged, ALL the time. The only places that should be free of public scrutiny are their restrooms. I bet the shitter would then become the new Star Chamber tho

Deward · Post by **Deward** » October 9, 2003, 1:05 pm

I think personal privacy is pretty important as a libertarian but it sounds like this mayor is a bit crooked and they had full rights to bug his office and investigate the crook.

I might even go as far to say all public officials offices should be bugged. They are there for the people doing their duty to the people. The people should know what is going on.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » October 9, 2003, 4:01 pm

hell yeah I agree. actually everyone should be bugged.