EDMONDS GETS TO TELL HER STORY
The People’s Defender
Aug 26 2009
Ohio Second District Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, R-Cincinnati, filed
nine election complaints against independent candidate David Krikorian
concerning the 2008 election in May this year.
Krikorian opposed Schmidt in the Second District Congressional race
as an independent in 2008 and is seeking the Democratic nomination for
the 2010 race in April. The complaints focus on Krikorian’s statements
during the election stating that Rep. Schmidt was taking money from
organizations related to the Turkish government in exchange for denying
the occurrence of what Krikorian called the Armenian Genocide at the
hands of the Turks during World War I.
The complaints also relate to Election Commission records on campaign
contributions Schmidt received from the Turkish American Heritage
PAC and the Turkish Coalition USA PAC.
Since filing the complaints, Schmidt’s counsel has withdrawn four
complaints, and an Ohio Elections Commission three-person panel decided
there was probable cause to hear the remaining complaints on Thursday,
Aug. 13. The five remaining complaints will be reviewed by the entire
Commission on Sept. 3.
In preparation for the Sept. 3 hearing, Krikorian’s lawyer requested
a subpoena for well known whistleblower and former interpreter for
the FBI, Sibel Edmonds. The OEC declined to enforce the subpoena,
however Edmonds agreed to speak to Krikorian and Schmidt’s lawyers
on a voluntary basis.
The video deposition was brought forward by Krikorian’s counsel to
provide background on the alleged involvement of the Turkish government
in Congressional affairs through blackmail, bribery, and campaign
contributions filtered through various organizations. Edmonds also
describes Turkish infiltration of the Pentagon and Air Force.
Edmonds’ deposition is significant because she has twice been "gagged"
by a State Secrets exemption from testifying for a 9/11 investigation
and a Congressional hearing.
"We were very surprised she was allowed to testify," said
Krikorian about the deposition. "She was gagged twice under the Bush
Administration and we have received several threatening letters from
the FBI and the Department of Justice. To Obama’s and to Eric Holder
the Attorney General’s credit she was allowed to testify."
As the Sept. 3 OEC hearing approaches, the depositions
continue. Lincoln McGurdy, Treasurer of the Turkish Coalition USA PAC
was the recent subject of a deposition and Schmidt was to be deposed
Monday, Aug. 24.
Edmonds (who is Turkish-American) called as a witness for Krikorian
(who is Armenian-American) testified to infiltration, bribery,
corruption, and blackmail within the U.S. Government, by current and
former members of the U.S. House and other high ranking officials,
on behalf of Turkish interests.
Schmidt filed the complaint with the OEC alleging "false statements"
by Krikorian when he alleged she had taken "blood money" from those
opposed to a Congressional declaration of Armenian Genocide by the
Turks during WWI.
The video deposition by Edmonds – an exclusive to The News Democrat –
can be found at Some serious charges are made
in this deposition, this newspaper/website provides this as public
information that readers/viewers may develop their own opinions and
understandings of the subject. Most of Edmonds’ deposition is relevant
to a time period previous to Rep. Schmidt taking office.
Bruce Pfaff, a spokesman for Rep. Schmidt, said that nowhere in the
testimony did Edmonds state that Schmidt had done anything illegal.
Pfaff said the OEC will decide how important, if at all, Edmonds’
deposition testimony is in the election complaint. The OEC will
convene Sept. 3 on the subject.