What a feeble attempt to divert attention and ignore the congressman that was caught . . . on tape . . . with $90,000 in his freezer. So ABC posts a story about a congressman that is not the subject of an investigation. I have already quit NBC and CBS. What do I do now?

Hastert is guilty as sin. Im sure many others are ready to duck in Washington because the #@$! has hit the fan. Sleep with dogs and you get flees. You're doing a fine job Mr. Ross. Keep up the great reporting. Its the only thing keeping this country honest.

BRIAN....there is a song written for just this kind of occasion...when you have a story you are convinced to be true and the 'other side' goes so far as to threaten legal action if you dont shove that story right back under the bumpy GOP story hiding rug...its called DONT BACK DOWN....

and I hope ABC doesnt back down...and that you did your homework and dotted ALL your i's...

there is a reason Dennis Hasert went totally ballistic about Jeffersons office being searched by the FBI and you may well be the first media people to coincidentally connect the dots leading to the reason.

Yeah - well we know Hastert has called ABC out before. Remember when his spokesman remarked how "the speaker is dismayed and disappointed that ABC News continues to place their bets on the wrong team."

Oh wait, that was the gaming industry. Never mind.

ABC's coverage of this story was irresponsible, unprofessional, and is further evidence of an obvious bias. You should be ashamed.

I guess the false reporting by CBS and RatherGate means nothing to you.
I'm done for good with ABC for ALL my news I'm going to Fox. Fair, Balanced and the TRUTH...Jeff Valovich

To all the other posters,

This is not about prime time numbers, Jefferson (talk about arguing things you don't have a clue about-that matter is a constitutional one and has nothing to do with this argument), or CBSing it.

This is about integrity. If ABC knows that what was told to them by this 'Justice Department official is incorrect (a lie) then that officials name and position should be released for the good of the Justice Department and our nation (and ABC's integrity). In this instance it goes beyond the need to keep a source (unamed).
If the statement was true, then stick by your guns.

I am really questioning the Justice Department coming out with the statement that what was told to you was FALSE. If the justice department is POLITICALLY being challenged here (or anywhere) then I am afraid the the correctness of this story is the LEAST of our collective PROBLEMS. The proper statement from the DOJ should have been "NO COMMENT".
I fear that you are about ready to be set up Mr. Ross. Be careful out there!!
them swifty's care less about the truth then those at 'We Report, You Decide'.

It is all over the internet that last night's story about the Dennis Hastert investigation was completely wrong. Since the DOJ denies any investigation, it makes me wonder what are your sources. Now would be a good time to reveal them. This is very shoddy work for ABC's Chief Investigative Correspondent.

Now Ross writes:

"He is very much in the mix," a federal law enforcement official told ABC News about Hastert. The official said Hastert is not considered a formal "subject" or "target" at this time.

That's quite a bit different from "Under Investigation" isn't it Ross? Even though the justice department denies the "in the mix" part as well. Whatever "in the mix" means.

I would like to know the name of the brave "hiding under his desk" law inforcement official Ross has been talking to. If he is as brave as the liberals seem to think he is he should have no problem being identified and questioned by some real reporters.

May 25, 2006

Dear Mr. Ross, Bravo for your story revealing the possible crimes of House Speaker Hastert! Kennedy's Profiles In Courage is about men like you. It takes courage to write the truth, to stand up to the bullies with the facts from the FBI and Hastert's own signed letters, incriminating himself with Jack Abramoff's crimes against the American People. Where corrupt presidential elections twice blocked the will of the people, our criminal laws are bringing justice to this corrupt Republican Congress and Presidency. Most Americans support freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and honest government. Thank you Mr. Ross. You are an example to journalists everywhere not to be held hostage by fear of corrupt governments, ignorant public opinion, and revengeful business executives. Most Americans can handle the truth and support your superb reporting. Bravo!

Tom Galvin, Veteran

Hastert was one of the first to complain about the FBI going into Jefferson's office in that probe. So what else is new. This entire administration is one of deceit, denial, and disengagement. Why should Congress be above examination? Does their congressional status make them exempt from the law? These are the same people who tell us, with respect to NSA spying on Americans, that we shouldn't mind being spied on if we have nothing to hide.

Hope all of you have seen where Speaker Hastert has come out blasting the DOJ for 'leaking' information to the media because he is questioning them about Jefferson.

He said, “This is one of the leaks that come out to try to, you know, intimidate people,” Hastert said on WGN radio Thursday morning. “We’re just not going to be intimidated on it.”

So ABC you seem to be onto something here. It would seem that the DOJ's insistance today that Hastert is 'not in the mix' is the real LIE...

Betcha this goes up to Gonzales (sp?) and then from there ???hm.

Brian Ross is reporting information that was given to him. Why would he lie? It was not even a report on Hastert being a target. Just saying he was in the "mix", and showing a letter he co-wrote with deLay..well...its just the facts. The attacks were so SWIFT and so baseless, that one wonders if RNC people were mobilized to write such swift-boat comments?
Not one denial had any actual relevance to the report. bravo for your courage, Mr. Ross.

The rightwingers are at it again in these posts, "Swift" with their nasty messages. They bemoan the Dan Rather, CBS story, which actually had the essentials of the story completely right. That's what irritates them, so. They hate it when corruption and scandal is uncovered, but only when it applies to their own righty leaders. It's not that they hate the corruption and scandal itself. Don't worry about them, Ross. The corrupt are falling like flies. Stay tuned. More to come.

That the same people who vote raises for themselves would claim outrage at the JD for obtaining evidence in government offices is too much. Time for an alternate political party. The demo and repub emperors(esses) have no clothes. Their indignant, high and mighty protests sicken me. Time to throw all the bums out.

re most of the comments:
There are bigger fish to fry ...
Gezzzz, try to stay focused people

I commend Brian Ross for doing his job. Keep up the good work. These right-wingers and their tactics of smearing people is old.

Mr. Ross,

Please ignore the obvious astroturf comments.

A Reuters release reported that Ross stated "The people we're talking to feel very strongly about what they told us," -- What is this FEEL stuff? What about facts?

This is a very weak story on Ross' part -- I'm cannot for the life of me understand ABC's focus on Hastert (weak and denied allegations) as opposed to Jefferson (actual video taped evidence and cold cash). Somebody help me understand -- please!

Sure are a lot of people attacking Brian Ross here. Instead of name calling, etc. would all of you please tell us what YOUR investigation has determined in this matter? You seem to be very sure of your position. Why?