FBI Clinton Foundation investigation,looming indictment 'just not true,' reports NBC's Pete Williams

[Tony Stark]

http://theweek.com/speedreads/65954...ment-just-not-true-reports-nbcs-pete-williams


http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/...est-clinton-email-report-just-not-true/214283


Reports of FBI Clinton Foundation investigation, looming indictment 'just not true,' reports NBC's Pete Williams

On Wednesday night, The Wall Street Journal reported on bitter infighting between some FBI field agents and their superiors at the FBI and Department of Justice over whether to pursue an initial inquiry about the Clinton Foundation, based on an anti-Clinton book, and Fox News reported that an indictment was likely in the case, citing two anonymous sources. Donald Trump has been citing that report at his rallies, even as Fox News' Bret Baier walked it back a bit, noting that the FBI can't indict people, among other problems. These leaks come amid reports that a group of FBI agents, especially in the New York field office, are strongly pro-Trump and hostile to Hillary Clinton.

On MSNBC Thursday, NBC justice correspondent Pete Williams carefully poured cold water on at least the Fox News reports. When Chuck Todd asked him about the status of the Clinton Foundation investigation, he said: "There really isn't one, if you want to call it an investigation. That's a term of art in the FBI. There was an initial inquiry that was opened a couple of months ago based largely on media reports and a book called Clinton Cash, and there were some initial things done in that. But FBI officials tell me there's been virtually no movement on that case for the last several months. So this idea that there are indictments near or something like that, I am told, is just not true."

The Fox News report also alleged that there's a high probability that five foreign entities breached Hillary Clinton's private email server, and Williams said "I am told that there is no such view" at the FBI. That doesn't mean there was no breach, he added, just that they "found no positive proof of any successful hacks." Todd asked Williams what FBI officials think about all the leaking going on, especially since it seems partisan. "Are they comfortable with all this innuendo that's being based on FBI sources?" he asked. "Well, they don't like it, certainly, but they don't believe that the answer is to come out and say anything," Williams said, chuckling. "I think many of them feel like they said enough last Friday." Peter Weber

 

[Tony Stark]

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/1...orting-about-likely-clinton-indictment/214274

Fox’s Bret Baier Walks Back Flawed Reporting About “Likely” Clinton Indictment
Blog ››› November 3, 2016 1:06 PM EDT


Fox News’ Bret Baier walked back his November 2 claim, which was based on two unnamed sources, that FBI investigations relating to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will “continue to likely an indictment.” On the November 3 edition of Fox’s Happening Now, Baier described his comments as “inartful,” acknowledging that “that’s not the process.” Baier’s uncritical reporting of anonymous, unvetted sources has been parroted by a stream of Fox hosts and correspondents, as well as right-wing blogs.

The Daily Beast has reported on a pipeline between conservative FBI agents (both active and retired) -- angered by FBI Director James Comey’s conclusion in July that there was insufficient evidence to recommend any indictment in the review of Clinton’s use of private email as secretary of state -- and Fox News. According to The Daily Beast, “Trump supporters with strong ties to the agency kept talking about surprises and leaks to come -- and come they did.” From the November 3 edition of Fox News’ Happening Now:





MARTHA MACCALLUM (CO-HOST): The FBI sources that you spoke with suggest that an indictment is likely. That would prove -- go ahead.

BRET BAIER: I want to be clear -- I want to be clear about this, and this was -- came from a Q and A that I did with Brit Hume after my show and after we went through everything. He asked me if, after the election, if Hillary Clinton wins, will this investigation continue, and I said, “yes absolutely.” I pressed the sources again and again what would happen. I got to the end of that and said, “they have a lot of evidence that would, likely lead to an indictment.” But that’s not, that’s inartfully answered. That’s not the process. That’s not how you do it. You have to have a prosecutor. If they don't move forward with a prosecutor with the DOJ, there would be, I'm told, a very public call for an independent prosecutor to move forward. There is confidence in the evidence, but for me to phrase it like I did, of course that got picked up everywhere, but the process is different than that.

 

[Tony Stark]

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/1...urate-clinton-foundation-investigation/214278


ABC News And NBC News Dispute Fox Anchor Baier’s “Inaccurate” Clinton Foundation Investigation Reporting
Blog ››› November 3, 2016

ABC News and NBC News are both disputing Fox News’ anonymously sourced report that there is an active, “very high priority” FBI investigation into the Clinton Foundation which has collected “a great deal of evidence,” citing their own anonymous sources. Both ABC and NBC report that the investigation in question produced little evidence of wrongdoing and there have been no recent developments in the case.

On November 2, days before the presidential election, Fox News’ Bret Baier cited two anonymous sources “with intimate knowledge of the FBI investigations into the Clinton emails and the Clinton Foundation” to claim that the investigation “into possible pay-for-play interaction between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the Foundation” is a “‘very high priority'” and that “agents are actively and aggressively pursuing this case.” Baier said FBI agents “had collected a great deal of evidence” to suggest wrongdoing. The story has been trumpeted on Fox and in the conservative media and was highlighted during a November 3 speech by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

MSNBC anchor Kate Snow noted on November 3 that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump “cited a Fox report” to allege that the FBI investigation “is likely to yield an indictment” and the Justice Department “is trying to protect” Clinton. Snow also reported, however, that “law enforcement officials tell NBC News” that “there have been no developments” in the Clinton Foundation case “for several months,” presumably because there is insufficient evidence for an indictment. From the November 3 edition of MSNBC Live:





KATE SNOW (HOST): Let me ask you about something Donald Trump said just a couple of hours ago in Jacksonville, Florida. He went on kind of went on a rant against Hillary Clinton and the about the FBI. He cited a Fox report that said that Clinton might face indictment related to the Clinton Foundation; I just want to note that law enforcement officials tell NBC News that the FBI did take an initial look at the Clinton Foundation based on allegations that were made in the press, and a book that’s gotten some attention -- excuse me -- but that there have been no developments on that front in the last several months. That said, here’s what Donald Trump said:

[BEGIN VIDEO]

DONALD TRUMP: The FBI agents say their investigation is likely to yield an indictment. But just remember, the system is rigged. Just remember that. And reports also show the political leadership at the Department of Justice is trying to protect Hillary Clinton and is trying to interfere with the FBI investigation

[END VIDEO]

ABC News’ sources similarly called the Fox report “inaccurate and without merit.” In a November 3 article, Matt Levine wrote that ABC News’ sources told him that in February, “prosecutors and senior FBI officials agreed there was no clear evidence of wrongdoing, and that a criminal case tied to the Clinton Foundation could not be made.” ABC further reported:

Investigators and higher-ups have continued to discuss the matter, but there has been no change in posture, sources said. Authorities still believe there is no evidence of wrongdoing, and they do not believe there is a sufficient reason to pursue charges, according to the sources.

 

[Tony Stark]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...d56f20-a2b7-11e6-8d63-3e0a660f1f04_story.html

Fox News apologizes for falsely reporting that Clinton faces indictment

By Paul Farhi November 4 at 2:40 PM

Fox News anchor Bret Baier apologized Friday for reporting that federal investigators had determined that Hillary Clinton’s private email server had been hacked and that an investigation would lead to an indictment of Clinton after the election.

In fact, Baier said, after checking with his sources, there is no evidence at this time for either statement.

Baier, the anchor of Fox’s evening newscast “Special Report,” went on the air Wednesday to report that the FBI had determined that Clinton’s private server, which she used while serving as secretary of state, had been hacked by “five foreign intelligence agencies.”

He further said on Thursday, during an interview with Fox’s Brit Hume, that a separate FBI investigation — of the charitable Clinton Foundation — would “likely” lead to an indictment of Clinton after Tuesday’s election.


But neither of his reports about Clinton were accurate, Baier acknowledged Friday morning in a “Fox News alert” conversation with Fox News anchor Jon Scott.

Baier said he relied on a single anonymous source within the FBI for his report about an alleged hack of the server: “I was quoting from one source about his certainty that the server had been hacked by five foreign intelligence agencies. . . . As of today there still are no digital fingerprints of a breach, no matter what the working assumption is within the bureau.”

He added, “All the time, but especially in a heated election, on a topic this explosive, every word matters no matter how well sourced.”

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He went on to describe his comment to Hume about an indictment — which he has previously called “inartful” — as more than that.

“I explained the phrasing of one my answers to Brit Hume on Wednesday night, saying it was inartful the way I answered the last question about whether the investigations would continue after the election. And I answered that yes, our sources said it would, they would continue to, likely, an indictment.

“Well, that wasn’t just inartful. It was a mistake. And for that I’m sorry. I should have said they will continue to build their case.

“‘Indictment,’ obviously, is a very loaded word, Jon, especially in this atmosphere, and no one knows if there would or would not be an indictment no matter how strong investigators feel their evidence is. It’s obviously a prosecutor who has to agree to take the case and make that case to a grand jury.”

As an addendum, he added, “We stand by the sourcing on the ongoing, active Clinton Foundation investigation and are working to get sources with knowledge of the details on the record and on camera, hopefully today.”

Both statements, if true, would be explosive developments in the late stages of the presidential campaign between Clinton and Republican rival Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly invoked the alleged atmosphere of corruption around the Clinton Foundation and the security risks involved in Clinton’s use of a private server while secretary of state as reasons not to vote for Clinton.

 

[gwb-trading]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/life...d56f20-a2b7-11e6-8d63-3e0a660f1f04_story.html

Fox News apologizes for falsely reporting that Clinton faces indictment

By Paul Farhi November 4 at 2:40 PM

Fox News anchor Bret Baier apologized Friday for reporting that federal investigators had determined that Hillary Clinton’s private email server had been hacked and that an investigation would lead to an indictment of Clinton after the election.

In fact, Baier said, after checking with his sources, there is no evidence at this time for either statement.

Baier, the anchor of Fox’s evening newscast “Special Report,” went on the air Wednesday to report that the FBI had determined that Clinton’s private server, which she used while serving as secretary of state, had been hacked by “five foreign intelligence agencies.”

He further said on Thursday, during an interview with Fox’s Brit Hume, that a separate FBI investigation — of the charitable Clinton Foundation — would “likely” lead to an indictment of Clinton after Tuesday’s election.


But neither of his reports about Clinton were accurate, Baier acknowledged Friday morning in a “Fox News alert” conversation with Fox News anchor Jon Scott.

Baier said he relied on a single anonymous source within the FBI for his report about an alleged hack of the server: “I was quoting from one source about his certainty that the server had been hacked by five foreign intelligence agencies. . . . As of today there still are no digital fingerprints of a breach, no matter what the working assumption is within the bureau.”

He added, “All the time, but especially in a heated election, on a topic this explosive, every word matters no matter how well sourced.”

Today's Headlines newsletter

The day's most important stories.



He went on to describe his comment to Hume about an indictment — which he has previously called “inartful” — as more than that.

“I explained the phrasing of one my answers to Brit Hume on Wednesday night, saying it was inartful the way I answered the last question about whether the investigations would continue after the election. And I answered that yes, our sources said it would, they would continue to, likely, an indictment.

“Well, that wasn’t just inartful. It was a mistake. And for that I’m sorry. I should have said they will continue to build their case.

“‘Indictment,’ obviously, is a very loaded word, Jon, especially in this atmosphere, and no one knows if there would or would not be an indictment no matter how strong investigators feel their evidence is. It’s obviously a prosecutor who has to agree to take the case and make that case to a grand jury.”

As an addendum, he added, “We stand by the sourcing on the ongoing, active Clinton Foundation investigation and are working to get sources with knowledge of the details on the record and on camera, hopefully today.”

Both statements, if true, would be explosive developments in the late stages of the presidential campaign between Clinton and Republican rival Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly invoked the alleged atmosphere of corruption around the Clinton Foundation and the security risks involved in Clinton’s use of a private server while secretary of state as reasons not to vote for Clinton.

They are just three months early with their story.

 

[AAAintheBeltway]

Seems like a lot of hairsplitting, but we all know the media apply a much more rigorous standard to anything from our side.

The FBI cannot launch actual prosecutions, but that didn't prevent Comey from going out in a press conference and saying there would be no prosecution of Hillary. It wasn't his decision then, it's not now. It's Loretta Lynch's. Good luck with that. If congress had any backbone they could force the appointment of an independent prosecutor, so that won't happen either. Only chumps like George Bush can be intimidated into doing something that stupid.

 

[LacesOut]

Fox apologized.
Wonder if the others in the MSM will apologize for the hatchet job that's been this Election Season.
Did CNN apologize for Dirty Donna?

 

[achilles28]

Five open FBI investigations into Hilary's inner circle.

One year long FBI investigation into clinton foundation.

What exactly did u think would happen with all that heat on the clinton crime family broski ?????

 

[java]

Seems like a lot of hairsplitting, but we all know the media apply a much more rigorous standard to anything from our side.

The FBI cannot launch actual prosecutions, but that didn't prevent Comey from going out in a press conference and saying there would be no prosecution of Hillary. It wasn't his decision then, it's not now. It's Loretta Lynch's. Good luck with that. If congress had any backbone they could force the appointment of an independent prosecutor, so that won't happen either. Only chumps like George Bush can be intimidated into doing something that stupid.

To be fair, all Comey said was there was not enough evidence concerning intent to recommend prosecution.

 

[Snarkhund]

To be fair, all Comey said was there was not enough evidence concerning intent to recommend prosecution.

Yes, then he indicated that Clinton was extremely careless with handling classified material. Now classified material at the highest level (SAP/SAR) has been found on the household computer of the Weiner residence pretty much confirming what Comey said.

SAP/SAR material was found in the possession of people who hold no security clearance. Those who had proper access to the material are responsible for its illegal distribution. If nobody goes to jail many will conclude that the system is completely corrupt and will stop playing nice.