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[ThatHawaiiGuy]

Bugs In Philadelphia Mayor's Office Came From FBI
Mayor's Aides Suspicious FBI So Quickly Ruled Out Campaign Trickery

POSTED: 12:34 p.m. EDT October 8, 2003

PHILADELPHIA -- The FBI planted hidden listening devices in the offices of Philadelphia Mayor John Street, The Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing federal law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity.

The devices were found Tuesday during a routine police security sweep. Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson revealed the discovery at a news conference.

Earlier, an FBI spokeswoman said the bureau will take "appropriate action" but declined to answer questions about the devices. She did say almost immediately that the agency had ruled out any connection to Street's re-election campaign. The Democratic mayor is in a hotly contested race with Republican challenger Sam Katz.

The election is a few weeks away.

Street called the discovery of the devices "a huge matter of concern."

Street said he's confident that they had not been planted by law enforcement officials and that he has done nothing wrong that would prompt an investigation.

Street said he doesn't know how the FBI can say so quickly that the hidden devices have no connection to his re-election campaign.

Street's campaign officials suggested the bugging is politically motivated -- and could even have been instigated by the Bush administration.

Campaign spokesman Frank Keel said the Republican Party -- at the state and federal level -- is capable of "dirty tricks." He said he finds it "incredibly curious" the FBI could so quickly leap to the conclusion that the bugging isn't related to the campaign.

The Katz campaign denied any involvement.

When asked if the FBI had placed the devices, the FBI spokeswoman wouldn't answer.

Police say they routinely check the mayor's office every three or four months, and the bugs were found during one of those routine checks.

http://www.wral.com/news/2540371/detail.html