| Date: | Wednesday October 08, @12:35PM |
|---|---|
| Author: | ewing2001 |
| Topic: | Bush |
| from the AP dept. | |
Update: FBI Seized Philly Mayor's Wireless Device (10/09)
Update: FBI agents raid business, home of Street friend (10/08)
Update: Profile of Sam Katz, Street's rival candidate
AP -October 8
PHILADELPHIA - Federal law enforcement officials on Wednesday confirmed that listening devices found in the offices of Mayor John F. Street were planted by the FBI — a discovery that touched off a political furor just weeks before Election Day.
Three federal law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the FBI was responsible for the bug, but refused to comment on whether the Democratic mayor is a target of an investigation or to provide any details about the nature of the probe.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, and Sen. Arlen Specter, a Republican, were among several politicians who called on the FBI Wednesday to tell the public what it knows about the eavesdropping equipment, found Tuesday.
"I think given this extraordinary situation with four weeks to go in the campaign, it is incumbent upon the FBI to say why they planted the device," Rendell said.
The bug was found during a routine sweep of Street's office by police. Street is locked in a bitter rematch against Republican businessman Sam Katz, and the campaign has been marked by charges of threats and race-baiting. Election Day is Nov. 4.
Philly.com -October 8
A day after a listening device was found inside Mayor Street's
office, FBI agents today conducted a series of raids across Philadelphia, including a search of a finance firm with a no-bid city contract to collect back taxes.
... One of the FBI raids this morning focused on Keystone Information and Financial Services, a Mt. Airy business awarded a 2002 contract that netted it $60,600 in city money for collection of taxes.
Photo: Iman Shamsud-din Ali with Congressman Robert Brady
Philly.com -Oct. 08, 2003
... One of the FBI raids this morning focused on Keystone Information and Financial Services, a Mt. Airy business awarded a 2002 contract that netted it $60,600 in city money for collection of taxes.
...The FBI also searched the Cheltenham home of a executive of the business, Iman Shamsud-din Ali, according to a law enforcement official.
... "We served a few search warrants today," said FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi, when asked about the raids. "They are sealed. I cannot give you any specific information about them."
... People familar with the inquiry said it focused in part on contracts at Philadelphia International Airport. And the mayor's brother, T. Milton Street, who has ties to a firm doing airport business, said that he, too, thought the probe was keying off the airport.
First Keystone is the holding company for First Keystone Federal Savings Bank, which operates seven branches serving individuals and businesses in southeastern Pennsylvania's Delaware, Chester, and Montgomery counties, as well as in New Castle County, Delaware. The bank's deposit products include checking, savings, money market, passbook, and NOW accounts, in addition to certificates of deposit, IRAs, and Keogh accounts.
Since 1975, Keystone Information Systems has been the "keystone" of its clients' computer operations, supporting the stones of technology and the stones of automation needs, thus creating integrated software, hardware and network solutions with the durability of a roman arch.
Shamsud-din Ali is spokesman for the Majlis Ash-Shura of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.
"...The primary function of Majlis Al-Shura is to advise the King (of Saudi Arabia) on issues of importance to the nation. Its members, appointed by the King for a four-year renewable term, represent the spectrum of Saudi society. King Fahd personally inaugurated the first session of the new Council on December29 , 1993 .
This council consisted of 60 members in addition to the chairman. On July5 ,1997 , King Fahd decreed an increase in membership, and the council consisted of a chairman and 90 members. On May1 ,2001 , King Fahd decreed an increase in membership, and the council now consists of a chairman and 120 members..."
Sam Katz is CEO of Greater Philadelphia First (GPF), a business and civic leadership organization.
He is "serving as a partner with Wynnefield Capital Advisors, Inc., a private equity fund management firm. Sam also serves as a director of Erie Insurance Group, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company, and GCom2 Solutions."
Portfolio Companies of Wynnefield :
Ecount, which develops and supports stored value cards, virtual accounts, and electronic payment solutions.
FemmePharma, a women’s healthcare pharmaceutical company focused exclusively on developing and marketing prescription products for the treatment of diseases and disorders that disproportionately affect women.
MedCases, which develops and markets case-based interactive e-learning products to physicians, pharmaceutical, medical, and healthcare organizations.
Micell Technologies, which is the leader in the development of cleaning applications that use liquid CO2 as a base instead of water or toxic solvents.
PlantGenix, a biotechnology company using plant proteomics research to discover and patent proteins through an exclusive license with the University of Pennsylvania.
Vytek Wireless, a wireless integration company providing solutions to business and government through a range of products and consulting services that improve customer productivity.
FBI Seized Philly Mayor's Wireless Device
AP -October 9
PHILADELPHIA - FBI agents confiscated Mayor John F. Street's personal BlackBerry wireless e-mail unit shortly after police discovered hidden listening devices at City Hall earlier this week, Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson said Thursday.
An FBI agent, called in to investigate the discovery of the bugs in Street's office, asked the mayor to turn over the BlackBerry on Tuesday afternoon. The mayor then gave the device to Johnson, who turned it over to the FBI, Johnson said.
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printed from FBI planted bugs in Offices of Philly Mayor on 2004-06-03 16:18:54