The cost of Plamegate investigation

I don't know if this figure is obligatory, but I've seen $70 million thrown around (by conservatives) as the cost of Fitzgerald's investigation.

I don't know if they are using that figure because that's what Ken Starr's investigation cost, and they are trying to make the "pie higher".

We all know that Starr spent money like a drunken sailor (must be a GOP trait). He spent lavishly and cut no corners when trying to determine how many freckles surrounded the head of Clinton's wang.

However, I don't see Fitz being neither irresponsible, nor reckless.

He has run a very professional investigation.

I would, however, like to know how much it's cost so far.

Any ideas?

investigation would love to see that now

$700,000. I thought that was pretty reasonable number, far less then Starr's boondoggle.

and from someone other than Olberman. Fitzgerald doesn't need to bribe people for juice. It would be nice someday to have a full accounting of what Starr spent all that money on.

Starr got was spent on his mistress.

that you can tell a lot about an investigation by how much money they spend. The truth doesn't need to be spent highly.

and I really don't care how much it costs if it puts these criminals away. Even at $70 million, Bush and Cheney can start a 'Help Support Your Leader's Defense Fund' and get their friends to pay for it. :grr:

Fitzgerald could go as high as $200 million, it would be worth it to catch these corrupt crooks. If fibbing about oral sex is worth $70 million, then outing a covert agent is worth double or triple.

but I'm arguing with this freeper bastard and I need a verifiable figure to slap him upside his head with.

By Andy

November 21, 2005 11:01 AM | Link to this

Midori, Hun, I was asking a question. Thanks for the answer to it. It goes to show you how many crimes Bill Clinton committed, if you use money spent for comparison.

Maybe there isn’t anything for Fitzgerald to investigate, you reckon?


my response:

By Midori

November 21, 2005 11:09 AM | Link to this

Andy — exactly how many “crimes” did Clinton commit? Why didn’t Ken Starr indict him for said “crimes”? All Starr had to show after all that time and money spent was a stained blue dress.

I’ll take quality over quantity anytime.

Fitzgerald is doing a marvelous job, and he’s not abusing taxpayer money in the process.

Needless to say he didn't answer me.

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/shared-blogs/ajc/luckovich/entries/2005/11/21/pointing_and_gi.html#comments

Fitzgerald is thorough AND frugal!

the choice of $70 mil was not by accident!

I believe Fitz may break through $900,000 by year end, what with that 2nd Grand Jury and all.


I say we should have a party when he has spent his first one million!

:-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5218680

obviously, a bit more since then, but nowhere near $70 million.

Sid

:thumbsup:

:toast:

Sid

if that?

>He has run a very professional investigation.<

Yes, he has, and we have indictments for that $700,000+, unlike Kenneth Starr, who could only produce a stained blue dress and a report that read like government-sponsored porn for how many millions of dollars?

I was amazed to read that same $700K has been paying for at least five attorneys commuting back and forth from Chicago to DC. That has to be a staggering expense, and they're doing a great job managing it.

Julie

thanks!! :hi:

another fact in my arsenal :D

war?

Pretty Please?

It's a good question and has links to keep for reference. We will need those tools cuz the spin machine is desperate if the freepers are out grumbling about spending $70,000,000 when the real figure is closer to $700,000.

The freepers are gonna use the # squandered on harassing Clinton via Starr instead of facing the facts that:

Their boys really did do lots of bad shit.

Fitz and his team are misers about spending the public's money.

The relatively small sums Fitz's investigation into REAL threats to America show the folly of the Starr Chamber for the vendetta it really was.

The wingers will say/do anything but face the truth.

We need to get this on the Greatest page and keep it kicked for the afternoon and evening shifts around here.

If you encounter a freeper spewing shit about the expense of THIS investigation, shut him up like he's never been shut before!

Do not stand for their lying or their accepting the lies they have been told. Beat them over the head with the facts then dismiss them for the dumb fucks they are. If you have an audience, all the better. It is unlikely you will actually change the freeper's mind, buy by exposing the shit they spew, you prevent them from poisoning others with disinformation.

They answer for their lies. The NEVER get a pass anymore!

Edited cuz I can't type for shit

:hi:

thanks.

:)

And thank you, Sister cat_girl25, for you help and testimony! And thank you to all those who see the value in this important question and how to smack down any porcine critters who complain about an erroneous figure!

We must fight the lies being spread about our good and nobel Brother Fitzgerald! We must never let the unenlightened sully his good name nor besmirch his good (and frugal) works.

He comes like the blaze and the thunder! Lends light where there was darkness and clear sound where there was conspiratorial whispering...

Smite those lying bastards who would spin and lie about his efforts! Remove the mud from the eyes of the lazy somsabitches who believe the lies without bothering to test for truth!

Ok, I'm better now... ;)

Not as much Hotel porn and bar bills to pay for.

report for the 6 months ending March 31, 2005

$930,742.00

<http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d05961.pdf>

since then, I haven't found it yet.

Fitz's total for the six months ending 3/31/05 was a meager $112,550.

$930,742 for David Barrett, Office of Independent Council

I didn't read pages closely. Is the $112,550 part of the $930,742?

Barrett is a different investigation

http://www.movermike.com/posts/1129873213.shtml

Independent Counsel David Barrett's Report ...Ready Soon?
From Byron York at NRO, the Senate voted tonight to cut off funds to Independent Counsel David Barrett's office -- he has spent about $20 million investigating former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros since 1995. Most importantly, lawmakers required that Barrett's report be released to the public within 60 days of final passage of the law.

Back in April, 2005, I wrote the WSJ had a story about Senators Byron Dorgan, John Kerry and Richard Durbin trying to block the release of a special council's report.

Then according to the Daily News, Hillary's lawyers tryed to quash Bennett's report. I asked why would Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton try to quash the release of the special council's report after all these years?

After Cisneros was convicted, Barrett started looking into allegations that IRS and Justice Department aides stymied a tax fraud case against the disgraced Housing and Urban Development secretary and audited Clinton critics.

Apparently the 420-page final report will include alleged abuses of power by the Clinton Administration and that report could come out during Sen Hillary Rodham Clinton's re-election campaign!

money as he is about leaking information. Republicans are out in force lying about the amounts Fitzgerald is 'wasting investigating technicalities with no underlying crime.'. They must not be allowed to get away with that. I'm hoping some major editorialist (I've just about given up on most journalists to do so) points out the difference in expense for investigating treason by a responsible prosecutor as opposed to excessive spending by the prosecutor who investigated the Clenis.

because of Libby lying?

Greg

is what should be of real concern.

What would it cost us eventually in BushCo. stealing if there was no investigation? My gut tells me this is the beginning of the downfall of the Fourth Reich.

:kick: