NIP: Nipping at the heels of authority.............................short articles for those who don't like to read very much...................
Who's stalling now? The BMB 'official report' circus continues by B Blake
March 8th 2014
Todashev Shooting
Despite several different announcements over many months, the release of the complete and definitive report that will purportedly shed some light on the circumstances of Ibraghim Todashev's death appears further away than ever.
In early January, the enquiry being conducted by DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the FBI Inspection Division, was said to be 'ongoing', with no indication given as to the timing of the report's eventual release. However, just days later on January 10th 2014, the FBI made a surprise announcement, noting their own report into Todashev's shooting, which had been ready for release 'months ago', was to be made public very 'soon', with some reports putting an estimate at the end of January.
It didn't happen.
At the time, FBI director James Comey said:
In early January, the enquiry being conducted by DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, and the FBI Inspection Division, was said to be 'ongoing', with no indication given as to the timing of the report's eventual release. However, just days later on January 10th 2014, the FBI made a surprise announcement, noting their own report into Todashev's shooting, which had been ready for release 'months ago', was to be made public very 'soon', with some reports putting an estimate at the end of January.
It didn't happen.
At the time, FBI director James Comey said:
“I am eager for the report of that incident to be released. The bureau, long ago we completed our internal review of the matter. My piece of it, the internal investigation, is complete, so it is really on others to finish their work"
Comey's suggestion that 'others' are to blame for the Bureau's delay now appears to have been thrown into doubt.
The Florida State Attorney's office had previously stated that their own investigation into Todashev's shooting would be ready for release by the end of March 2014. A recent press release indicated they may now be preparing to go it alone, regardless of whether Federal agencies intend to release their independent conclusions in conjunction with the office or not. Depressingly, the office also notes they have no knowledge as to whether the DOJ and the FBI intend to follow suit. If the Attorney's office itself has enquired but doesn't know, who does?
So, as suspected, it appears the FBI have been paying lip service to the avalanche of bad publicity recently surrounding the case. They have been in a position to publish their own report, independently, for a considerable period of time: they have simply chosen not to do so.
The stalling by the FBI with respect to the release of the Todashev report is well documented. If the Florida State Attorney's Office does procede with an independent release, the Bureau will be in no position to offer any more pitiful excuses. Any further use of duplicitous tactics (with the sole aim of delaying their own release) will be patently transparent.
Therefore, rather than risk piling even more suspicion and scorn on the Bureau, Comey would do well to recognize the increased public awareness of the Todashev case - and take decisive action. He should be serving the public's interests, not withholding information because it suits the self-serving interests of the government agency he, himself, heads.
But unfortunately, the investigation headed by Comey is not the only Boston marathon bombing related report the government have stalled on. Despite widespread publicity of its release date, U.S. Rep. William Keating's report into a separate matter has been withheld also.
The Florida State Attorney's office had previously stated that their own investigation into Todashev's shooting would be ready for release by the end of March 2014. A recent press release indicated they may now be preparing to go it alone, regardless of whether Federal agencies intend to release their independent conclusions in conjunction with the office or not. Depressingly, the office also notes they have no knowledge as to whether the DOJ and the FBI intend to follow suit. If the Attorney's office itself has enquired but doesn't know, who does?
So, as suspected, it appears the FBI have been paying lip service to the avalanche of bad publicity recently surrounding the case. They have been in a position to publish their own report, independently, for a considerable period of time: they have simply chosen not to do so.
The stalling by the FBI with respect to the release of the Todashev report is well documented. If the Florida State Attorney's Office does procede with an independent release, the Bureau will be in no position to offer any more pitiful excuses. Any further use of duplicitous tactics (with the sole aim of delaying their own release) will be patently transparent.
Therefore, rather than risk piling even more suspicion and scorn on the Bureau, Comey would do well to recognize the increased public awareness of the Todashev case - and take decisive action. He should be serving the public's interests, not withholding information because it suits the self-serving interests of the government agency he, himself, heads.
But unfortunately, the investigation headed by Comey is not the only Boston marathon bombing related report the government have stalled on. Despite widespread publicity of its release date, U.S. Rep. William Keating's report into a separate matter has been withheld also.
Keatings Report
On January 20th U.S. Rep. William Keating announced he would be making public the findings from his 6 month inter-continental investigation into Tamerlan Tsarnaev's alleged links to terrorists from Dagestan and any intelligence issues arising from it. The expected date of release? 'Imminent', according to Keating, within the first week of February.
It didn't happen either.
Instead, the much anticipated release date came and went with barely a mention. On February 7th, Keating informed Fox25 News the release of his report was 'likely to be pushed back until March', but gave no reason for the delay.
We contacted Rep William Keating for comment. His office told us the delay occured due to 'people being in the process of scanning over the draft of the report'. Why? What changed in the intervening period? What was of such vital importance, it put the release of the report back by weeks?
It didn't happen either.
Instead, the much anticipated release date came and went with barely a mention. On February 7th, Keating informed Fox25 News the release of his report was 'likely to be pushed back until March', but gave no reason for the delay.
We contacted Rep William Keating for comment. His office told us the delay occured due to 'people being in the process of scanning over the draft of the report'. Why? What changed in the intervening period? What was of such vital importance, it put the release of the report back by weeks?
It's all in the timing.....
It seems no coincidence both reports were purportedly 'ready for release' at the same time, and also set to conincide with another marathon bombing related announcement: whether Federal prosecutors would be given permission to seek the death penalty for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev or not. They were.
So the timing could not have been clearer. Were the government expecting Tsarnaev to accept a hurried plea deal in a bid to avoid the possibility of execution? The court docket indicated a flurry of unprecedented activity at that crucial time, all of which was dutifully sealed.
Under such circumstances the contents and conclusions of each report would hardly have mattered. Tsarnaev's admission of guilt would have overshadowed all other media coverage, effectively burying any perceived failings present in either report, whilst summarily exonerating the FBI for Todashev's killing - but Tsarnaev refused to be coerced. This situation would have presented as a real problem for government, leading to the 'push back' in each instance and the inevitable 'tweeking' and re-drafting that has occured in the interim.
Regardless of the cynical view that both reports are expected to be an absolute whitewash, the public has a right to know the government's conclusions. They also have a right to the absolute truth presented in a timely fashion.
Unfortunately, the outrageous political posturing continues - so they're still not getting it.
So the timing could not have been clearer. Were the government expecting Tsarnaev to accept a hurried plea deal in a bid to avoid the possibility of execution? The court docket indicated a flurry of unprecedented activity at that crucial time, all of which was dutifully sealed.
Under such circumstances the contents and conclusions of each report would hardly have mattered. Tsarnaev's admission of guilt would have overshadowed all other media coverage, effectively burying any perceived failings present in either report, whilst summarily exonerating the FBI for Todashev's killing - but Tsarnaev refused to be coerced. This situation would have presented as a real problem for government, leading to the 'push back' in each instance and the inevitable 'tweeking' and re-drafting that has occured in the interim.
Regardless of the cynical view that both reports are expected to be an absolute whitewash, the public has a right to know the government's conclusions. They also have a right to the absolute truth presented in a timely fashion.
Unfortunately, the outrageous political posturing continues - so they're still not getting it.
Related Posts:
No plea deal for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev? Suspected Terrorists or Terrorizing Suspects? The Killing of Ibragim Todashev
Todashev: The truth will out.......or will it?
Propaganda: How to spin yourself through a terrorism case
Todashev: The truth will out.......or will it?
Propaganda: How to spin yourself through a terrorism case
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We actively encourage comments, discussion and debate on this site! Please remember to keep it relevant and be respectful at all times.
