WASHINGTON-Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), one of several House Republican leaders caught on a radio scanner in 1996 plotting to limit damage of an ethics investigation of Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), has sued Rep. James McDermott (D-Wash.) for allegedly leaking a transcript of the conversation to the media.
Boehner, the fourth-ranking House Republican, was using a cellular phone to patch into the telephone conversation with his colleagues at the time. He suspects McDermott leaked the taped conversation to the media. The New York Times, The Atlanta Constitution and Roll Call all printed the contents of the call.
Boehner is seeking $30,000 in statutory damages and other unspecified damages.
“The American people have had it with politicians who hide from justice behind the privileges of public office. Congressman McDermott and others have stonewalled the Justice Department’s criminal investigation for more than a year,” said Boehner.
The 1986 electronic privacy law, which Congress wants extended to personal communications services and strengthened to take doctored radio scanners (capable of cellular eavesdropping) off the market, makes it illegal to disseminate contents of intercepted communications.
John and Alice Martin, a Florida couple with Democratic ties who recorded the Republican members’ conversation, pleaded guilty and were fined.
“This is obviously politically motivated and I refuse to dignify it with a comment,” said McDermott.
McDermott has until March 30 to respond in court.
