More Reichert Coincidences

VECO's CEO Bill Allen, a Co-Chair of Bush's Alaska Campaign {ie Karl Rove}, recently pleaded guilty to Federal Bribery and Conspiracy Charges.  VECO was a large contributor to Republicans, and gave over $1,000,000, almost all of it to Republicans.  As an example, Alaska Senator Ted "Bridge to Nowhere" Stevens received $156,000 in contributions from VECO, and his son apparently took $243,000 in bribes from VECO. 

Another recipient of funds from VECO's corrupt war chest was Rick White.  Rick White was recommended by Congressman Dave Reichert to replace US Attorney John McKay, who apparently was illegally fired by the White House's Karl Rove. 

Rick White was apparently well connected to Karl Rove.  In addition to contributions received thru Bush's Alaska Campaign Co-Chair, Rick White's assistant Glynda Becker went to work for Karl Rove, and Karl Rove's assistant Lezlee Westine backfilled White's lobbying job.  It would seem that this might have been done to so that Rick White could become available for replacement of US Attorney, John McKay, while at the same time retaining Karl Roves hands of power over his high-tech lobbyshop, TechNet.

And notably, Congressman Dave Reichert, who recommended Rick White, received  money from the Midnight Sun Pac, which appears to have been an intermediary for VECO funds. 

I guess I'm not surprised, I still remember back in January 2005 when the News Tribune reported that Freshman Congressman Reichert was eagerly welcomed by lobbists on his first day on the job when he arrived at his office in the Capital.

Based on what keeps popping up, I'd have to agree with what Fired US Attorney John McKay told the Seattle Times yesterday:

"I think there will be a criminal case that will come out of this," McKay said during his meeting with Times journalists. "This is going to get worse, not better."

Successful trials require more than a smoking gun, motive must also be proven.  If McKay is correct, it wouldn't be unreasonable for a Grand Jury to ask Dave Reichert what his motivation and background was in recommending Rick White, especially since confirmation of US Attorneys is a Senator's responsibility, not a Congressman's. 

In his self-interview on Meet the Press Sunday, ex CIA Director George Tenet used the word "texture" to describe his discussions with the White House.  As typical with buzzwords, nobody has a clue exactly what "texture" is supposed to mean in this context.  Even so, Reichert's relationship to White and their relationship to Rove may provide some "texture" for a Grand Jury to consider....