Supplementing Complaints with Facts...from the Newspaper?

This is a new one on me – it seems that the so called “Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington” – or CREW – filed supplements to complaints yesterday against Senator John Ensign of Nevada – and their basis for the supplements was…and I quote…

“Based on New York Times story introducing new facts in case…Today’s letter provided additional information and note new possible violations stemming from…”

You can read their entire press release on the Las Vegas TSG Business News site  by clicking here

HUH?  Since when do we accept a story in a newspaper – ANY newspaper as the basis for bringing ANY kind of charges against ANYONE? Sure, the people IN the story, the folks who have the proof of their words can and should bring any legal actions – but a third party – based on a story?

Is there an old saying that goes – Don’t believe anything that you read and only 1/2 of what you see? or is this the one that goes – “Because it’s in the New York Times – it must be true.”

In either case – justice must be done – but I think third party no-it-alls need to stay on the side line and populate the peanut gallery if they must.

Uncle Mike