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The decision to release these e-mails did not come easy. As we originally told the Huffington Post’s Max Follmer when he requested comment for his piece, we were hesitant to provide Nicholas’ e-mails to another outlet: “It could make future Big Head DC sources hesitant to share information via e-mail, some of which contains off-the-record information in this case, if they know we are later going to share such information with other outlets,” we told him via e-mail. “Again, we stand by the quotes and our item 100 percent.” Follmer then partially used that information to attempt to discredit Big Head DC, accusing us of “sloppy sleuthing.” His main argument on that point centers on a piece written by John Cook of Radar magazine who insists that our recent revelation about Sam Donaldson’s number appearing in the records of the alleged “DC Madam” Deborah Jeane Palfrey is somehow untrue. As with the Nicholas story, we stand by that story 100 percent. Radar may have desperately wanted us to publish the story with their outlet, but Big Head DC was under no obligation to do so. We also find it curious that Follmer so readily believed Nicholas’ later assertion that the Lott story was fabricated, since Follmer told us via e-mail that his contacts in Los Angeles “in the escort biz say he has a history of lying.”
Now, without further ado, the e-mails:
MESSAGE ONE:
from Rob Capriccioso
to escort@benjaminnicholas.com,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:08 PM
subject From Big Head DC
mailed-by gmail.com
Hi Benjamin,
I’m an editor with Big Head DC in Washington. A commenter on the site recently said that you and Sen. Trent Lott happened to be vacationing together at the same place on a couple of separate occasions. Could you clarify whether you know Sen. Lott in any way?
I appreciate your help.
All the best,
Rob
–
Rob Capriccioso | Publisher & Founding Editor | Big Head DC
MESSAGE ONE RESPONSE:
from Benjamin Nicholas
reply-to Benjamin Nicholas ,
to Rob Capriccioso ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:18 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by benjaminnicholas.com
No comment
—–
http://www.BenjaminNicholas.com
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
MESSAGE TWO:
from Rob Capriccioso
to Benjamin Nicholas ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:21 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by gmail.com
Totally off the record, can you explain why you have no comment?
Rob
MESSAGE TWO RESPONSE:
from Benjamin Nicholas
reply-to Benjamin Nicholas ,
to Rob Capriccioso ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:23 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by benjaminnicholas.com
I’m a blogger as well, so I’m well aware that nothing in this world is ever truly ‘off-record.’
Trent is going through his fair share of scrutiny right now and I don’t want to add to it. All I can say at this point is no comment. It’s the professional thing for me to do.
MESSAGE THREE:
from Rob Capriccioso
to Benjamin Nicholas ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:29 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by gmail.com
I definitely understand what you’re saying about commenting into the blogosphere, Benjamin, and have had it happen to me before. I’m just trying to establish whether you personally know Sen. Lott. A couple of people tipping Big Head DC suggested I contact you, so I thought I’d take a shot. I’m definitely not asking whether you were ever in a relationship with him. Have you been contacted by others about knowing him?
Rob
MESSAGE THREE RESPONSE:
from Benjamin Nicholas
reply-to Benjamin Nicholas ,
to Rob Capriccioso ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:37 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by benjaminnicholas.com
Yes. I was contacted by Gawker this morning ( Denton is a friend of mine). He’s hot to get an exclusive interview about the possible relationship between the two of us, but I politely declined. As I said before, Lott has quite a bit on his plate right now and I don’t really want to add fuel to the embers.
BN
—–
http://www.BenjaminNicholas.com
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
MESSAGE FOUR:
from Rob Capriccioso
to Benjamin Nicholas ,
date Nov 26, 2007 2:42 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by gmail.com
How did anyone get it in their heads that you even knew Lott?
NO RESPONSE FROM NICHOLAS
Hours later, after we did much more investigating and our piece ultimately went live, Nicholas sent a final message:
from Benjamin Nicholas
reply-to Benjamin Nicholas ,
to Rob Capriccioso ,
date Nov 26, 2007 5:32 PM
subject Re: From Big Head DC
mailed-by benjaminnicholas.com
Off-the-record, eh? Sheesh.
Here’s my public comment, on-the-record: Sen. Lott and I have no current affiliation with one another. I’m sure he would appreciate no further scrutiny.
There’s no story here Rob.
BN
—–
http://www.BenjaminNicholas.com
http://www.15MinutesMore.com
END OF E-MAILS
It is of course Nicholas’ way of framing his answers in these e-mails, i.e. “no current affiliation with Lott,” referring to the senator as Trent, etc. that has helped lead many today to question why Nicholas has decided to backtrack. Perhaps he had promised an exclusive to another publication, and accidentally dropped the ball? Perhaps some of his current clients became frightened, so he decided to try to make the story go away? Or perhaps he has felt some other sorts of pressure. We do not know at this point. But, rest assured, we are working to find out.
http://bigheaddc.com/2007/11/27/the-e-mails-benjamin-nicholas-says-he-didnt-send/ |
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