Investigators Say Speaker’s Aide Hindered Inquiry of Hill Security Contracts

Two former House committee investigators who were examining Capitol Hill security upgrades said a senior aide to Speaker J. Dennis Hastert hindered their efforts before they were abruptly ordered to stop their probe last year.

The former Appropriations Committee investigators said Ted Van Der Meid, Hastert’s chief counsel, resisted from the start the inquiry, which began with concerns about mismanagement of a secret security office and later probed allegations of bid-rigging and kickbacks from contractors to a Defense Department employee.

Ronald Garant and a second Appropriations Committee investigator who asked not to be identified said Van Der Meid engaged in “screaming matches” with investigators and told at least one aide not to talk to them. Van Der Meid also prohibited investigators from visiting certain sites to check up on the effectiveness of the work, the investigators said.

Van Der Meid oversaw Capitol security upgrades for Hastert, R-Ill., and worked closely with the office that was charged with implementing them, the investigators said.

http://www.cq.com/public/20061027-spending.html

The hits just keep on coming! Every Tom, Dick or Harry that the GOP has offended is finally getting the message: hit them back, and hit them hard, 'cause they're going down at last.

Too bad the women can't get their licks in. I'd love to see some gender equality here.

John Laesch will beat the Speaker of the House. John within 7 points now.

www.john06.com

It's worth a very close read, imo.

Peace,
M_Y_H

This needs one more rec for the 'greatest page'....

"I leave that sort of thing to my underlings. Heh, heh, heh."

- Mr. Morality, aka Denny Doo Doo

Post a damn warning!