We demand a full investigation by Congress!

Feds Investigate Dems' Obtaining Steele's Credit Report---

BALTIMORE -- Federal prosecutors have opened an inquiry into allegations that two Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee employees illegally tapped into Lt. Gov. Michael Steele's credit history.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter David Collins reported the workers obtained the report in July while executing opposition research on the lieutenant governor.

In June, the Republican lieutenant governor announced he had established an exploratory committee to explore a candidacy for the U.S. Senate.

Paul D. Ellington, Steele's chief of staff, issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon in reaction to the allegations.

"Lt. Gov. Steele was extremely disturbed to learn about the alleged criminal identity theft of his personal finance records by (a staff member of U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.,) at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

"He was notified by the FBI that a federal criminal investigation is under way and has been asked not to comment on the specifics of the case.

"He intends to honor this request and expects that those responsible for these actions will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

According to the FBI, two Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee employees illegally obtained Steele's credit report.

Those familiar with the incident, say Katie Barge and Lauren Weiner were working on opposition research in July. They found Steele's Social Security number in a court document and used it to obtain his credit report.

"It's extremely unethical," said Evan Hendricks, the author of "Credit Scores Credit Reports." "This is a case of a couple very bright researchers, so smart, ending up doing the stupidest thing they could have done."

Hendricks, a privacy expert who has written books on the subject, said that without authorization, those snooping would have had to misrepresent themselves.

"There's lies involved one way or the other. The law is very clear on this," Hendricks said.

Collins reported that the two employees have since resigned and committee officials said they have destroyed the document. The committee said they have immediately reported the incident to the Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney's Office, and have since issued an apology.

"While the DSCC did not authorize the employees to access Mr. Steele's credit report, we regret that this incident occurred and apologize to Mr. Steele," DSCC spokesman Phil Singer told 11 News.

Singer's statement continued, in part, by saying "the DSCC also launched an internal review into this matter, ascertained that it was an isolated incident and has put safeguards in place to ensure that no employee ever does this again."

It really is no surprise that the Democrats stoop to this level. Whenever we have an excellent party member who is making a name for himself (read: future danger for the Dems), they try to find anything they can do trash his reputation.

I first saw Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele at the 2004 RNC. He gave an excellent speech, which you can read here.

I am excited about having such a dynamic man in our party. We need someone who speaks the truth and doesn't kiss up to the PC crowd.

What those stupid girls did is unacceptable. In an attempt to besmirch the reputation of a good man, they broke the law. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Still, I highly doubt they did so without the knowledge of their superiors. If the Dems want to be fair, they will acknowledge that. They certainly hold President Bush responsible for anything FEMA didn't do exactly right after Hurrican Katrina.

And then the Dems destroyed the documents. Those documents were evidence for any possible legal action taken against them. Shouldn't "tampering with evidence" or "destruction of evidence" be added to the list of charges?

I think Congress ought to investigate!

(Curtsy to Drudge)