WH agrees to "look into" Drug Czar's firing emp. who stopped Bush "nobid"

A PR release by former White House Drug Office Spokesman Robert Weiner is below - unedited - just as the PR was issued (mods - this is not copyrighted).

Now there may be - if Ashcroft and our media does not bury it - a Major Criminal Investigation into bribes to Bush's buddies by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

When Dr. Al Brandenstein, Director of the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center of ONDCP (at least until recently) was asked to illegally hand over a $1.5 million contract to Bush's pals without the required bidding process, he said NO. In response, the ONDCP chief of staff attempted to extort compliance from Brandenstein by withholding $400,000 in legally won funds for other projects. A May 15 memo assures Brandenstein that as soon as he coughed up the cash for Bush's pals, he'd get the $400,000. Brandenstein refused, was demoted. He retired in protest on March 28.

Former White House drug spokesman Bob Weiner is furious and has called for an independent investigation.

http://www.usnewswire.com/
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=103-04262004

White House Agrees to 'Look Into' Drug Czar's Forcing Out Courageous Senior Employee who Refused to Implement Improper Million Dollar No-Bid Contract

4/30/2004 4:23:00 PM


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: National Desk

Contact: Robert Weiner or Jeffrey Buchanan, 301-283-0821 or 202-329-1700

WASHINGTON, April 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following was released today by former White House Drug Office Spokesman Robert Weiner:

-- Former WH Drug Spokesman Bob Weiner Calls For Investigation To Highest Level Including Drug Czar, By Professional Justice Arm, Not Political Appointees

White House Spokesman Scott McClellan today agreed to "look into" the Drug Czar's (John Walters) forcing out a courageous senior employee who refused to implement an improper no-bid single-source $1.15 million contract to Republican contributors. Dr. Al Brandenstein, Director of the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center of ONDCP, was also told he would have $400,000 of other money withheld from approved projects until he complied. In today's White House press briefing, Hearst's Helen Thomas asked about Dr. Al Brandenstein. Former ONDCP Director of Public Affairs Robert Weiner had called for a Department of Justice Investigation of the matter "to the top", including the Drug Czar.

The issue involves a no-bid contract arranged at a powerful U.S. Senator's request (Ben Nighthorse Campbell, R-CO). Brandenstein "deserves a heroic medal, not being pushed out of government," asserts Weiner.

"Because of the political nature of the allegations, the Justice investigation must be by professional, not political appointees," Weiner added.

Weiner yesterday sent a letter to Ashcroft requesting the investigation, and DOJ has confirmed receipt. In addition, the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking office, a field branch of ONDCP, has turned over files on the matter to the Department of Justice executive office.

In a May 15 memo, the ONDCP chief of staff wrote to Brandenstein, "As soon as you can identify such funds, I will be delighted" to release $400,000 already committed to approved projects under Brandenstein.

Brandenstein refused, was demoted, and retired on March 28. At Brandenstein's retirement party April 28, the Director of the U.S. Marshal Service, Ben Reyna, praised Brandenstein as a "man of character, with a profound sense of justice, who understands the Constitution." Campbell recently announced that he will not run for reelection.

"It pains me to see the office I joined in creating abused for petty personal and possibly illegal reasons," said Weiner, who had been communications director of the former House Select Narcotics Committee and was on the House floor in 1988 when the bill creating the Drug Czar was passed.


http://www.usnewswire.com/

And we all see how businesses are run in America

Like Ahnuld is looking into those pesky sexual harrassment allegations?

Congratulations, Mr. Brandenstein; you kept your soul. Too bad your leaving reduces the honor and integrity quotient for this corrupt administration by a substantial amount.

In this administration.

http://www.wgoeshome.com

I wish the d*mn wave would finally come crushing down on these greedy craps.

I am sick to death of this crony capitalistic corruption. It is freakin' everywhere and needs to be demolished!!!

:puke:

God, these thieves were blatant.

Oh, Georgie, better hope you lose this election.

has gotten us into.

is only a blip on the radar for the lapdog press for this regime.

every Drug War press conference should be asking what the progress is of this investigation.

Ashcroft should be busy with this. Instead he's masturbating furiously with his rightwing fundie friends to pictures of Tommy Chong in prison.