SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
Lol, what I said is completely factual as you can see
Maybe you should actually learn the background of what youre saying before just ignorantly spouting talking points?
bernie sanders: regressive
- Thread starter UncleBuck
- Start date
Maybe you should actually learn the background of what youre saying before just ignorantly spouting talking points?
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
I'm just one guy and I have a life. I do the best I can. Nice of you to be so compassionate.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Another prominent Democrat has come forward to voice concerns about allegations ex-Attorney General Loretta Lynch may have sought to keep a lid on last year’s Hillary Clintons email probe, with California Rep. Adam Schiff saying he’s “queasy” at the thought.
Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, aired his concerns in an interview Sunday and said he wants to hear from Lynch personally.
“I'd like to hear what Loretta Lynch's explanation for that is, either by having her come to the Hill or by having her speak publicly,” he said.
The call significantly ups the pressure on Lynch, as the push to scrutinize her conduct in last year’s Clinton email investigation becomes more bipartisan.
LYNCH SHOULD TESTIFY, GRAHAM SAYS
The renewed attention stems from fired FBI Director James Comey’s testimony earlier this month that Lynch had instructed him to describe the probe as a “matter” – not an “investigation.” Comey said this “confused” him and cited that directive, along with Lynch’s unusual tarmac meeting with former President Bill Clinton while the investigation was ongoing, in his decision to announce the FBI’s findings on his own.
Comey’s handling of the case later would be cited by the Trump administration in the decision to fire him, though speculation remains widespread over to what extent the probe of Russia meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign may have played.
Yet even as Democrats focus heavily on the Russia allegations, a handful of high-powered lawmakers like Schiff now want to hear from Lynch. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN earlier this month that Comey’s charges gave her a “queasy feeling.”
Schiff said Sunday he agrees.
“It does give me a queasy feeling as well,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “There may be a perfectly accurate explanation by Loretta Lynch about why she thought 'matter' was the appropriate term rather than 'investigation.' So I wouldn't assume James Comey's characterization is the last word on it even although though I'm sure it's accurate.”
Asked if he would have Lynch come to the House intelligence panel, he said he’s not sure that’s part of the Russia probe.
“But I would like to hear what her explanation for that was. But I certainly wouldn't want that to distract us from what we need to do to get to the bottom of the Russia allegations,” he said.
The comments come after a bipartisan letter was sent last week to Lynch and others regarding allegations of “political interference” in the Clinton case.
The inquiry was prompted, in part, by a series of media reports raising questions about whether Lynch tried to stifle the investigation into former Secretary of State Clinton’s use of a private email server.
“The reports come amidst numerous allegations of political inference in controversial and high-profile investigations spanning the current and previous administrations,” Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley's office said in a statement.
Grassley, R-Iowa; Feinstein; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., penned the letter.
The reports they cited were based on hacked documents whose authenticity has not been confirmed. This includes an April New York Times article about a batch of hacked files obtained by the FBI, including one reportedly authored by a Democratic operative who voiced confidence Lynch would keep the Clinton probe from going too far.
Schiff, the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, aired his concerns in an interview Sunday and said he wants to hear from Lynch personally.
“I'd like to hear what Loretta Lynch's explanation for that is, either by having her come to the Hill or by having her speak publicly,” he said.
The call significantly ups the pressure on Lynch, as the push to scrutinize her conduct in last year’s Clinton email investigation becomes more bipartisan.
LYNCH SHOULD TESTIFY, GRAHAM SAYS
The renewed attention stems from fired FBI Director James Comey’s testimony earlier this month that Lynch had instructed him to describe the probe as a “matter” – not an “investigation.” Comey said this “confused” him and cited that directive, along with Lynch’s unusual tarmac meeting with former President Bill Clinton while the investigation was ongoing, in his decision to announce the FBI’s findings on his own.
Comey’s handling of the case later would be cited by the Trump administration in the decision to fire him, though speculation remains widespread over to what extent the probe of Russia meddling and possible collusion with the Trump campaign may have played.
Yet even as Democrats focus heavily on the Russia allegations, a handful of high-powered lawmakers like Schiff now want to hear from Lynch. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told CNN earlier this month that Comey’s charges gave her a “queasy feeling.”
Schiff said Sunday he agrees.
“It does give me a queasy feeling as well,” he told CNN’s “State of the Union.” “There may be a perfectly accurate explanation by Loretta Lynch about why she thought 'matter' was the appropriate term rather than 'investigation.' So I wouldn't assume James Comey's characterization is the last word on it even although though I'm sure it's accurate.”
Asked if he would have Lynch come to the House intelligence panel, he said he’s not sure that’s part of the Russia probe.
“But I would like to hear what her explanation for that was. But I certainly wouldn't want that to distract us from what we need to do to get to the bottom of the Russia allegations,” he said.
The comments come after a bipartisan letter was sent last week to Lynch and others regarding allegations of “political interference” in the Clinton case.
The inquiry was prompted, in part, by a series of media reports raising questions about whether Lynch tried to stifle the investigation into former Secretary of State Clinton’s use of a private email server.
“The reports come amidst numerous allegations of political inference in controversial and high-profile investigations spanning the current and previous administrations,” Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley's office said in a statement.
Grassley, R-Iowa; Feinstein; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., penned the letter.
The reports they cited were based on hacked documents whose authenticity has not been confirmed. This includes an April New York Times article about a batch of hacked files obtained by the FBI, including one reportedly authored by a Democratic operative who voiced confidence Lynch would keep the Clinton probe from going too far.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Adam schiff was one of the loudest Dems QUACKING about RUSSIA. He's since lowered the tone dramatically since. Because there's been ZERO evidence. At least he's pounding his fist now about something there is proof of! Comey testified to it. All the libs wanted to hear from Comey. Now deal with the fall out!
dagwood45431
Well-Known Member
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Peace out. I'm sure you all will be pouting for a week now.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
CNN has imposed a self ban on all RUSSIA reporting because they've been caught posting articles online that are completely false! Keep watching that crap and believeing lower level liberal courts and you're bound to be upset. In the end the rule of law prevails
SneekyNinja
Well-Known Member
Lol, the Supreme Court agrees to hear it and overturns the injunction temporarily until then.
And that's a victory to you?
UncleBuck
Well-Known Member
you should be michael flynn's lawyer.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Well technically you're correct but it's also a blueprint as to how it will decide next year! Otherwise they wouldn't have overturned the ban if they were going to rule against it. But hang on to whatever you want. That just means there's more disappointment coming for you in the near future. Better yet hold your breath and hope.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
nothing about CNN reporting such fake news they now need double approval from the top before further reports? There's the fake news big guy. CLINTON NEWS NETWORK.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Do you hear that? The trump training is coming through. Better get off the tracks.
UncleBuck
Well-Known Member
i don't watch CNN. i do get update on all the subpoenas and grand juries surrounding michael flynn though, and more updates about the team of lawyers mueller is hiring, a team that took down nixon, enron, and the mob.
but i guess that's all just fake news because SQUIRREL!
you are a retarded person. hell, to me people like you are not even people. more like soulless racist automatons. bots, perhaps. born on a russian troll farm in macedonia.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Three CNN Employees Resign Over Retracted Story on Russia Ties
Itay Hod
Three CNN employees have handed in their resignations over a retracted story linking President Trump to Russia, the network announced Monday.
Thomas Frank, who wrote the story in question; Eric Lichtblau, an editor in the unit; and Lex Haris, who oversaw the unit, have all left CNN.
“In the aftermath of the retraction of a story published on CNN.com, CNN has accepted the resignation of the employees involved in the story’s publication,” a network spokesperson said in a statement Monday.
Also Read: CNN Issues Strict Rules on Russia-Related Stories (Report)
On Thursday, CNN investigative reporter Thomas Frank published a report involving an investigation of a Russian investment fund with possible ties to several Trump associates.
According to CNN, an internal investigation found that “some standard editorial processes were not followed when the article was published.”
Citing a single unnamed source, the story reported that Congress was investigating a “Russian investment fund with ties to Trump officials.”
Also Read: CNN Resorts to Sketching White House Press Briefings, Draws Derision
CNN explained Monday that “these types of stories” usually would go through several departments, including fact-checkers, journalism standards experts and lawyers.
But the network says there was a “breakdown in editorial workflow” which “disturbed the CNN executives who learned about it.”
The network’s investigative unit was told during a meeting on Monday that the retraction did not necessarily mean the facts of the story were wrong. But, rather, “the story wasn’t solid enough to publish as-is,” according to one of the people briefed on the investigation.
Also Read: Tucker Carlson Slams CNN's Trump Coverage as 'Advocacy,' 'Not Really Journalism' (Video)
The story, which only appeared on the network’s site, was quickly disputed on Friday, as one of the people mentioned in the story — Trump ally Anthony Scaramucci — took issue with Frank’s reporting, insisting he “did nothing wrong.”
“Once it was determined that editorial processes were not followed, CNN deleted the story from CNN.com,” the network said Friday on its site. “Soon thereafter, the story was officially retracted and replaced with an editor’s note.”
The piece “did not meet CNN’s editorial standards and has been retracted,” the note said. “Links to the story have been disabled.”
The editor’s note also added an apology to Scaramucci.
“CNN did the right thing. Classy move. Apology accepted,” Scaramucci tweeted the next morning. “Everyone makes mistakes. Moving on.”
Also Read: Sheriff Clarke Rips CNN as 'Electronic Terrorism' for Report That Derailed His Trump Job (Audio)
Haris, Lichtblau and Frank had solid reputations among their colleagues.
Frank worked as reporter for USA Today and Newsday before joining CNN. Lichtblau is a former New York Times Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter. And Haris was the executive editor of CNN Investigates.
“On Friday, CNN retracted a story published by my team. As Executive Editor of that team, I have resigned,” Haris said in a statement. “I’ve been with CNN since 2001, and am sure about one thing: This is a news organization that prizes accuracy and fairness above all else. I am leaving, but will carry those principles wherever I go.”
Itay Hod
Three CNN employees have handed in their resignations over a retracted story linking President Trump to Russia, the network announced Monday.
Thomas Frank, who wrote the story in question; Eric Lichtblau, an editor in the unit; and Lex Haris, who oversaw the unit, have all left CNN.
“In the aftermath of the retraction of a story published on CNN.com, CNN has accepted the resignation of the employees involved in the story’s publication,” a network spokesperson said in a statement Monday.
Also Read: CNN Issues Strict Rules on Russia-Related Stories (Report)
On Thursday, CNN investigative reporter Thomas Frank published a report involving an investigation of a Russian investment fund with possible ties to several Trump associates.
According to CNN, an internal investigation found that “some standard editorial processes were not followed when the article was published.”
Citing a single unnamed source, the story reported that Congress was investigating a “Russian investment fund with ties to Trump officials.”
Also Read: CNN Resorts to Sketching White House Press Briefings, Draws Derision
CNN explained Monday that “these types of stories” usually would go through several departments, including fact-checkers, journalism standards experts and lawyers.
But the network says there was a “breakdown in editorial workflow” which “disturbed the CNN executives who learned about it.”
The network’s investigative unit was told during a meeting on Monday that the retraction did not necessarily mean the facts of the story were wrong. But, rather, “the story wasn’t solid enough to publish as-is,” according to one of the people briefed on the investigation.
Also Read: Tucker Carlson Slams CNN's Trump Coverage as 'Advocacy,' 'Not Really Journalism' (Video)
The story, which only appeared on the network’s site, was quickly disputed on Friday, as one of the people mentioned in the story — Trump ally Anthony Scaramucci — took issue with Frank’s reporting, insisting he “did nothing wrong.”
“Once it was determined that editorial processes were not followed, CNN deleted the story from CNN.com,” the network said Friday on its site. “Soon thereafter, the story was officially retracted and replaced with an editor’s note.”
The piece “did not meet CNN’s editorial standards and has been retracted,” the note said. “Links to the story have been disabled.”
The editor’s note also added an apology to Scaramucci.
“CNN did the right thing. Classy move. Apology accepted,” Scaramucci tweeted the next morning. “Everyone makes mistakes. Moving on.”
Also Read: Sheriff Clarke Rips CNN as 'Electronic Terrorism' for Report That Derailed His Trump Job (Audio)
Haris, Lichtblau and Frank had solid reputations among their colleagues.
Frank worked as reporter for USA Today and Newsday before joining CNN. Lichtblau is a former New York Times Pulitzer-Prize winning reporter. And Haris was the executive editor of CNN Investigates.
“On Friday, CNN retracted a story published by my team. As Executive Editor of that team, I have resigned,” Haris said in a statement. “I’ve been with CNN since 2001, and am sure about one thing: This is a news organization that prizes accuracy and fairness above all else. I am leaving, but will carry those principles wherever I go.”
UncleBuck
Well-Known Member
yep, trump has ZERO ties to russia!
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Napolitano: Fmr. Attorney General Lynch Could Face 5-10 Years in Prison
Senate probes improper communication between former AG and Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Adan Salazar | Infowars.com - June 26, 2017
Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch could be jailed for up to ten years if found guilty of misconduct, Judge Andrew Napolitano claimed Monday.
If emails exist between Lynch and former DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz improperly discussing the Clinton email investigation, the former attorney general could be charged with “misconduct in office,” a felony carrying five to ten years in jail, the Fox Business contributor stated.
“It is alleged, this document has not seen the light of day if it exists, that there are one or several emails between Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Loretta Lynch concerning the behavior that Loretta Lynch will take to further the DNC interests while Mrs. Lynch was attorney general,” Napolitano stated. “That, if it happened, would be ‘misconduct in office.'”
“It’s a felony. Depending upon exactly what they charged her with, it could be five or 10 years in jail. It’s very serious. It’s the equivalent of obstruction of justice. It’s the same allegation they are making about the president.”
In a letter to Lynch last Thursday announcing a Senate probe into her conduct while in office, Sen. Chuck Grassley asked if she’d ever communicated with Schultz.
“During your time in the Justice Department, did you ever have communications with Rep. Wasserman Schultz, her staff, her associates, or any other current or former DNC officials about the Clinton email investigation?” Grassley’s letter read, with another question asking if “any of your Justice Department staff or your other associates” had similar communications.
Grassley’s inquiry followed testimony from former FBI Director James Comey earlier this month claiming he felt “queasy” after Lynch asked him to refer to the FBI’s probe of Clinton’s emails as a “matter” instead of an “investigation.”
This “terminology,” Napolitano stated, “may be indicative of a mindset on the part of Attorney General Lynch that she was going to do whatever she could to prevent Mrs. Clinton from getting indicted.”
Comey had previously stated under oath he believed Ms. Lynch’s tarmac meeting with former President Bill Clinton also destroyed the FBI’s ability to carry out the Clinton email investigation in a credible manner.
Senate probes improper communication between former AG and Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Adan Salazar | Infowars.com - June 26, 2017
Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch could be jailed for up to ten years if found guilty of misconduct, Judge Andrew Napolitano claimed Monday.
If emails exist between Lynch and former DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz improperly discussing the Clinton email investigation, the former attorney general could be charged with “misconduct in office,” a felony carrying five to ten years in jail, the Fox Business contributor stated.
“It is alleged, this document has not seen the light of day if it exists, that there are one or several emails between Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Loretta Lynch concerning the behavior that Loretta Lynch will take to further the DNC interests while Mrs. Lynch was attorney general,” Napolitano stated. “That, if it happened, would be ‘misconduct in office.'”
“It’s a felony. Depending upon exactly what they charged her with, it could be five or 10 years in jail. It’s very serious. It’s the equivalent of obstruction of justice. It’s the same allegation they are making about the president.”
In a letter to Lynch last Thursday announcing a Senate probe into her conduct while in office, Sen. Chuck Grassley asked if she’d ever communicated with Schultz.
“During your time in the Justice Department, did you ever have communications with Rep. Wasserman Schultz, her staff, her associates, or any other current or former DNC officials about the Clinton email investigation?” Grassley’s letter read, with another question asking if “any of your Justice Department staff or your other associates” had similar communications.
Grassley’s inquiry followed testimony from former FBI Director James Comey earlier this month claiming he felt “queasy” after Lynch asked him to refer to the FBI’s probe of Clinton’s emails as a “matter” instead of an “investigation.”
This “terminology,” Napolitano stated, “may be indicative of a mindset on the part of Attorney General Lynch that she was going to do whatever she could to prevent Mrs. Clinton from getting indicted.”
Comey had previously stated under oath he believed Ms. Lynch’s tarmac meeting with former President Bill Clinton also destroyed the FBI’s ability to carry out the Clinton email investigation in a credible manner.
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Just keep your head in the sand. Comey and other top officials have all testified to it. It's been MONTHS where the proof!
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Bernie and his wife might be cellmates with lynch.
Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt.
FILE--In this July 28, 2016 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and his wife Jane walk through downtown in Philadelphia during the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Sanders and his wife Jane O'Meara Sanders have hired lawyers in the face of federal investigations into the finances of the now-defunct Burlington College, which closed last year due, many feel, to debts incurred when Jane Sanders entered into an ill-advised real estate deal. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
(AP) — Federal investigators are looking into the finances behind a real estate deal for a now-defunct college put together by the wife of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and she has hired a lawyer to look after her interests, a family spokesman confirmed on Monday.
The investigation, first reported by the news website Vtdigger.com, is looking into allegations that Jane O'Meara Sanders made fraudulent claims and promises while seeking $10 million in financing for the real estate deal.
The complaint against Jane Sanders was filed in early 2016 by attorney Brady Toensing, who served as the Vermont campaign chairman for Donald Trump during his run for president as a Republican. In a separate complaint, Toensing alleged that Bernie Sanders' senatorial office pressured a bank to approve the loan.
Sanders, an independent, ran for president as a Democrat last year but was ousted in the primary by Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the general election.
Asked about the allegations Monday at a Washington press conference on expanding community health centers, Sanders sought to keep the questions on health care.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about today," Sanders said when an Associated Press reporter attempted to ask him about the FBI's investigation.
Sanders then chided a Fox News reporter also seeking to question him on the issue, saying, "I'm glad that you're interested in the fact that the Republican leadership is proposing legislation which would throw millions of people off of health insurance and give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the top 1 percent."
The Sanders' spokesman, Jeff Weaver, who was the senator's 2016 presidential campaign manager, said the allegations that prompted the investigation were politically motivated attacks.
Toensing noted that the investigation began during President Barack Obama's administration under a Democratic attorney general and U.S. attorney for Vermont. He said he's only looking for a "fair, impartial and thorough investigation."
___
THE BACKGROUND
In 2010, Jane Sanders was president of the tiny Burlington College when she brokered a $10 million deal for the college to buy the last undeveloped parcel of land in Burlington on the Lake Champlain waterfront — 32 acres overlooking the lake and the 77,000-square-foot former orphanage and administrative offices of Vermont's Roman Catholic Church, which needed the money to settle a series of priest sex abuse cases.
At the time Jane Sanders, a longtime political adviser to her husband, promised the deal would be paid for with increases in enrollment from about 180 to 500 students and $2.7 million in donations. She left the college in 2011.
In a previously unreleased letter from Jane Sanders to the Burlington College board provided by Weaver, she wrote that during her seven years at the college she had improved its financial outlook, the accreditation had improved and the college had gone from not offering any financial aid to offering $400,000 in student aid.
"Together, I think it is safe to say we turned the corner," she wrote in an Oct. 12, 2011, memo to the board. "We've got many opportunities before us, but we need to realize them to continue our momentum."
But the increase in the size of the student body and the promised donations didn't materialize.
By 2014, the college had about $11 million in debt, and the only significant asset it had was the land. The college ended up selling much of the land, which is now being developed. The college closed for good in 2016.
___
THE ACCUSATION
In January 2016, Toensing filed a complaint with the Vermont office of the U.S. attorney and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. He alleged a loan used by the college to buy the land "involved the overstatement and misrepresentation of nearly $2 million ... in what were purported to be confirmed contributions and grants to the college."
In a follow-up letter in May 2016, Toensing, who in the past has filed complaints against Democrats and members of Vermont's Progressive Party, said that as a result of his original complaint he was "approached and informed that Senator Bernard Sanders's office improperly pressured" the bank to approve the loan.
As is typical in most cases, federal law enforcement won't confirm nor deny an investigation.
___
THE SANDERSES' RESPONSE
Weaver said Jane Sanders was working honestly to improve the outlook for Burlington College.
"She was working to take the college to the next level with the land purchase," Weaver said. "People can Monday morning quarterback it if they want, that's for sure. But what her intent was was to turn Burlington College into a world-class liberal arts college in Burlington for the benefit of the community."
Weaver confirmed the existence of the federal investigation but predicted nothing would come of it. He said it only made sense that the Sanderses had hired an attorney.
"Are you supposed to wait for (U.S. Attorney General) Jeff Sessions to knock on your front door before you talk to a lawyer?" he said in a statement.
Last week, Bernie Sanders told a Burlington television station the allegations were nonsense.
"But now that there is a process going on, which was initiated by Trump's campaign manager, somebody who does this all of the time, has gone after a number of Democrats and progressives in this state," he said. "It would be improper at this point for me to add any more to that."
___
WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR BERNIE?
Bernie Sanders remains one of Vermont's most popular politicians. He took that popularity nationwide in the 2016 presidential primary campaign, and he remains a leader of the progressive political movement in the United States.
Sanders is up for re-election to the Senate next year. He has served in the Senate since 2007.
A retired Middlebury College political science professor, Eric Davis, said he didn't think the state GOP could field a serious candidate to challenge Sanders nor would the national party help fund a campaign against him. Davis said he didn't think the Burlington College issue would end up hurting Sanders' re-election prospects.
___
AP Congressional Reporter Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report.
Associated Press
Associated Press
MONTPELIER, Vt.
FILE--In this July 28, 2016 file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. and his wife Jane walk through downtown in Philadelphia during the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Sanders and his wife Jane O'Meara Sanders have hired lawyers in the face of federal investigations into the finances of the now-defunct Burlington College, which closed last year due, many feel, to debts incurred when Jane Sanders entered into an ill-advised real estate deal. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
(AP) — Federal investigators are looking into the finances behind a real estate deal for a now-defunct college put together by the wife of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, and she has hired a lawyer to look after her interests, a family spokesman confirmed on Monday.
The investigation, first reported by the news website Vtdigger.com, is looking into allegations that Jane O'Meara Sanders made fraudulent claims and promises while seeking $10 million in financing for the real estate deal.
The complaint against Jane Sanders was filed in early 2016 by attorney Brady Toensing, who served as the Vermont campaign chairman for Donald Trump during his run for president as a Republican. In a separate complaint, Toensing alleged that Bernie Sanders' senatorial office pressured a bank to approve the loan.
Sanders, an independent, ran for president as a Democrat last year but was ousted in the primary by Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the general election.
Asked about the allegations Monday at a Washington press conference on expanding community health centers, Sanders sought to keep the questions on health care.
"No, that's not what I'm talking about today," Sanders said when an Associated Press reporter attempted to ask him about the FBI's investigation.
Sanders then chided a Fox News reporter also seeking to question him on the issue, saying, "I'm glad that you're interested in the fact that the Republican leadership is proposing legislation which would throw millions of people off of health insurance and give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the top 1 percent."
The Sanders' spokesman, Jeff Weaver, who was the senator's 2016 presidential campaign manager, said the allegations that prompted the investigation were politically motivated attacks.
Toensing noted that the investigation began during President Barack Obama's administration under a Democratic attorney general and U.S. attorney for Vermont. He said he's only looking for a "fair, impartial and thorough investigation."
___
THE BACKGROUND
In 2010, Jane Sanders was president of the tiny Burlington College when she brokered a $10 million deal for the college to buy the last undeveloped parcel of land in Burlington on the Lake Champlain waterfront — 32 acres overlooking the lake and the 77,000-square-foot former orphanage and administrative offices of Vermont's Roman Catholic Church, which needed the money to settle a series of priest sex abuse cases.
At the time Jane Sanders, a longtime political adviser to her husband, promised the deal would be paid for with increases in enrollment from about 180 to 500 students and $2.7 million in donations. She left the college in 2011.
In a previously unreleased letter from Jane Sanders to the Burlington College board provided by Weaver, she wrote that during her seven years at the college she had improved its financial outlook, the accreditation had improved and the college had gone from not offering any financial aid to offering $400,000 in student aid.
"Together, I think it is safe to say we turned the corner," she wrote in an Oct. 12, 2011, memo to the board. "We've got many opportunities before us, but we need to realize them to continue our momentum."
But the increase in the size of the student body and the promised donations didn't materialize.
By 2014, the college had about $11 million in debt, and the only significant asset it had was the land. The college ended up selling much of the land, which is now being developed. The college closed for good in 2016.
___
THE ACCUSATION
In January 2016, Toensing filed a complaint with the Vermont office of the U.S. attorney and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. He alleged a loan used by the college to buy the land "involved the overstatement and misrepresentation of nearly $2 million ... in what were purported to be confirmed contributions and grants to the college."
In a follow-up letter in May 2016, Toensing, who in the past has filed complaints against Democrats and members of Vermont's Progressive Party, said that as a result of his original complaint he was "approached and informed that Senator Bernard Sanders's office improperly pressured" the bank to approve the loan.
As is typical in most cases, federal law enforcement won't confirm nor deny an investigation.
___
THE SANDERSES' RESPONSE
Weaver said Jane Sanders was working honestly to improve the outlook for Burlington College.
"She was working to take the college to the next level with the land purchase," Weaver said. "People can Monday morning quarterback it if they want, that's for sure. But what her intent was was to turn Burlington College into a world-class liberal arts college in Burlington for the benefit of the community."
Weaver confirmed the existence of the federal investigation but predicted nothing would come of it. He said it only made sense that the Sanderses had hired an attorney.
"Are you supposed to wait for (U.S. Attorney General) Jeff Sessions to knock on your front door before you talk to a lawyer?" he said in a statement.
Last week, Bernie Sanders told a Burlington television station the allegations were nonsense.
"But now that there is a process going on, which was initiated by Trump's campaign manager, somebody who does this all of the time, has gone after a number of Democrats and progressives in this state," he said. "It would be improper at this point for me to add any more to that."
___
WHAT COULD THIS MEAN FOR BERNIE?
Bernie Sanders remains one of Vermont's most popular politicians. He took that popularity nationwide in the 2016 presidential primary campaign, and he remains a leader of the progressive political movement in the United States.
Sanders is up for re-election to the Senate next year. He has served in the Senate since 2007.
A retired Middlebury College political science professor, Eric Davis, said he didn't think the state GOP could field a serious candidate to challenge Sanders nor would the national party help fund a campaign against him. Davis said he didn't think the Burlington College issue would end up hurting Sanders' re-election prospects.
___
AP Congressional Reporter Kevin Freking in Washington contributed to this report.
Associated Press
goldberg71b
Well-Known Member
Now that's sharing the wealth! They sure practice what they preach. 3 houses and 10 million dollar loans. He knows how the little guy feels doesn't he.