FBI Smearing FOLEY-GATE Whistleblower

WASHINGTON--The watchdog group that first provided the FBI with suspicious e-mails from then-Rep. Mark Foley, R-Fla., said Thursday that FBI and Justice Department officials were attempting to cover up their inaction in the case by making false claims about the group.

Law enforcement officials said the allegations by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) are without merit, and stood by allegations that the group had refused to provide some information to the FBI.

.. Unidentified Justice and FBI officials also told reporters that the e-mails provided by CREW were heavily redacted and that the group refused to provide unedited versions to the FBI. One law enforcement official -- speaking on condition of anonymity -- also told The Washington Post that the FBI believed CREW may have received the e-mails as early as April and that the group refused to tell the FBI how they were obtained.

Melanie Sloan, CREW's executive director, said those claims are shown to be wrong by copies of the original e-mail she sent to an FBI agent. Sloan said the agent called briefly to confirm receipt of the e-mails and to ask if one of the parties was indeed Foley.

Sloan said the group sent unedited e-mails because "we wanted them to commence an investigation. We're sort of outraged that they're saying anything differently.'' The group has asked Fine's office to look into the FBI's assertions about CREW.