James O’Keefe has issued a statement on the Internet on the same site where he posted his ACORN pimp videos.  In the recent statement, he is claiming he was engaging in investigative journalism in attempting to uncover facts associated with claims involving Senator Landrieu’s phones.

Here is his statement and some observations: 

After reviewing James O’Keefe statement which he posted on the Internet, I believe there are some big holes in the story that he needs to answer that do not seem to correlate with facts, logic or the FBI affidavit.  I am not saying that O’Keefe’s version of the Landrieu event is not true.  But, there are legitimate questions about his behavior and his Internet statement that require further scrutiny. 

For one, investigative journalism does not give anyone the license to be an imposter.  We know that O’Keefe played a pimp.  We also know that he was involved in a scheme where the co-defendants charged were pretending to be phone men.   

He is being charged with a crime involving fraud.   

If he is willing to lie to ACORN and to US Senate officials (no matter what the circumstance), when do we know if he telling us the truth?

In his statement below, he said, “In investigating this matter, we decided to visit Senator Landrieu’s district office – the people’s office – to ask the staff if their phones were working.”

There is nothing in the FBI affidavit that indicates that he “asked” or was on the federal premise just to “ask”.  The affidavit indicates that witnesses report that O’Keefe had been in Landrieu’s office and his co-defendants were already dressed up as phone men.  The FBI affidavit also said witnesses say the defendants “manipulated the phones”.  If so, these defendants had other motives in mind rather than just asking.

They seem to have been involved in a sting operation since based upon the FBI affidavit, they clandestinely videotaped without permission.  Even the O’Keefe statement said they had tapes.  He does not say that he asked the Landrieu staff if he could tape the operation.

The affidavit also said certain defendants involved in this operation also asked where the phone closet was since they needed to perform “repair work”.    According to the FBI affidavit, they went to the main GSA office and told the GSA witness they needed to perform “repair work”. 

These actions are certainly more than just to “ask the staff if their phones were working”.  

According to the Times Picayune, “An official close to the investigation said one of the four was arrested with a listening device in a car blocks from the senator's offices. He spoke on condition of anonymity because that information was not included in official arresting documents.”

If this is in fact true, we do not know why there would be a listening device.  Nor do we know why the defendants went to the phone closet.

Also, O’Keefe in his statement says, “As an investigative journalist, my goal is to expose corruption and lack of concern for citizens by government and other institutions, as I did last year when our investigations revealed the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN”

Is this true?  Did O’Keefe’s investigation last year reveal the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN?

What did that investigation reveal?   A few ACORN employees stepped over the line.  What they did appears to be improper.  But, did his actions reveal the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN?  If his investigation showed more than the advice to a prostitute and a pimp, then perhaps he should present more information to us.  Nor am I saying there is not “massive corruption and fraud”.  I believe those facts still need to emerge.  But, I certainly am not aware of anything O’Keefe did to reveal ACORN massive fraud and corruption.

O’Keefe,  also in his statement said, “It has been amazing to witness the journalistic malpractice committed by many of the organizations covering this story. “

O’Keefe forgets that it is not just the media—mainstream and otherwise—that are providing information in this case.  An FBI agent with nineteen years of law enforcement experience has signed an affidavit that has led to the current prosecution by Jim Letten, one of the most revered government figures in Louisiana.

I do agree with O’Keefe on one major point.  He should and must not be prejudged as committing a crime.  He is absolutely innocent until proven guilty.

O’Keefe has every right to have his day in court.  He has every right to test his integrity against that of the FBI agent, the witnesses and the media reporting.

The Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party, Roger Villere is correct when he said in writing yesterday, “Republicans and Democrats alike have stated their support for legal process being allowed to play itself out so that justice may be served.”

But, for now, in my mind, O’Keefe has a lot more explaining to do before I think he should be extricated or implicated.  I believe that some of his statements and behaviors just do not add up.  But, I and I am sure that many of us await more evidence and his opportunity for the truth to set him free.

Here is the his statement that is posted on the Internet:

The government has now confirmed what has always been clear:  No one tried to wiretap or bug Senator Landrieu’ s office.  Nor did we try to cut or shut down her phone lines.
 

 Reports to this effect over the past 48 hours are inaccurate and false.

As an investigative journalist, my goal is to expose corruption and lack of concern for citizens by government and other institutions, as I did last year when our investigations revealed the massive corruption and fraud perpetrated by ACORN.  For decades, investigative journalists have used a variety of tactics to try to dig out and reveal the truth.

I learned from a number of sources that many of Senator Landrieu’s constituents were having trouble getting through to her office to tell her that they didn’t want her taking millions of federal dollars in exchange for her vote on the healthcare bill.  When asked about this, Senator Landrieu’s explanation was that, “Our lines have been jammed for weeks.”  I decided to investigate why a representative of the people would be out of touch with her constituents for “weeks” because her phones were broken.  In investigating this matter, we decided to visit Senator Landrieu’s district office – the people’s office – to ask the staff if their phones were working.

On reflection, I could have used a different approach to this investigation, particularly given the sensitivities that people understandably have about security in a federal building.  The sole intent of our investigation was to determine whether or not Senator Landrieu was purposely trying to avoid constituents who were calling to register their views to her as their Senator.  We video taped the entire visit, the government has those tapes, and I’m eager for them to be released because they refute the false claims being repeated by much of the mainstream media.

It has been amazing to witness the journalistic malpractice committed by many of the organizations covering this story.  MSNBC falsely claimed that I violated a non-existent “gag order.”  The Associated Press incorrectly reported that I “broke in” to an office which is open to the public.  The Washington Post has now had to print corrections in two stories on me.  And these are just a few examples of inaccurate and false reporting.  The public will judge whether reporters who can’t get their facts straight have the credibility to question my integrity as a journalist.