White House Emails: The Missing Link?

Attorney General Michael Mukasey has appointed prosecutor Nora Dannehy to investigate whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other Administration officials should face criminal charges in the firing of nine US attorneys. The launch of this investigation follows a 358-page report citing a lack of cooperation by senior White House officials and the Justice Department in Congress' inquiry into the US prosecutor purge.

A critical link to the Justice Department and White House's involvement in the firings lies in the missing White House emails, which have reportedly been purged from White House servers.

Although several administration officials, including Gonzales have testified before the Judiciary Committee, there is one person, yet to be interviewed, who may hold the keys to the missing emails -- Bush IT expert Mike Connell. Most people have never heard of Mike Connell. But that's no surprise as the very nature of his job keeps him behind the scenes. Connell is the architect and cyber keymaster of George W. Bush election websites including GeorgeWBush.com and GWB43.com, the site Karl Rove used for 95-percent of his email communication. Connell is also the CEO of Govtech Solutions, the company responsible for building and managing congressional email servers and firewalls.

According to SourceWatch, Connell also developed websites for the House Intelligence, Judiciary, Financial Services, Ways and Means, and Administration Committees.

For obvious reasons, this would appear to be a conflict of interest since Connell has a history of building partisan websites including RNC.org, anti-Kerry website swiftboatvetsfortruth.org and former Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth J Blackwell's election websites, to name a few. Connell currently heads up IT for the McCain campaign.

Like former Diebold CEO Wally O'Dell who in 2004 penned a letter stating he was committed "to helping Ohio deliver its electoral votes to the President," Mike Connell told Inside Business magazine in 1999, "I'm loyal to my friends and I'm loyal to the Bush family."

An October 11, 2006 meeting between Connell, GovTech Solutions President Randy Cole (who is now running for State Representative in Ohio) and Cybrinth CEO Stephen Spoonamore, raises more than a few questions regarding Connell's loyalty to the Bushes. At the time, Spoonamore, a leading cyber security expert, was considering a project with Connell. During this meeting, Spoonamore indicated that Connell asked him about ways to "permanently destroy hard drives." Spoonamore said, "If this is what I think you're talking about, this meeting is over."

Spoonamore provided the following notes from his meeting, which was confirmed by a source close to the situation.

On Oct 11, 2006: 14:30-16:00 Mike Connell and others from his firm(s) met with me and others from my firm at the Cybrinth LLC offices to discuss three things:

1 - Some overseas IT incidents that effected clients both of us service in a negative manner. Nothing to do with White House that I know of.

2 - Cybrinth's ongoing work in data destruction to protect communications from latency intercepts. This was something of keen interest to them, and Cybrinth has better working knowledge of this area than they did at that time. We were, and are, working on this issue for several elite clients.

3 - GovTech's needs to upgrade email and communication system security with several clients. Mike specifically stated this included some systems impacting the White House email. I don't know if these were .gov domains or off-the-books domains.

Spoonamore says while he doesn't know whether Connell had a role in the White House email purge, he's a vital to uncovering the truth about the missing communications. Spoonamore adds, Connell has knowledge of where the emails were routed and where they may be recovered because he built and maintained the system.

"Mike is much more of a partisan than I am... and has been involved, certainly in building the front ends, the website application ends of many of the same people that I would have concerns about and would like to talk to."

While the last time the two met was nearly two years ago, Spoonamore and Connell's paths continue to cross in unexpected ways. Spoonamore, a life-long Republican, is currently serving as a star witness in a lawsuit charging the GOP with rerouting Ohio 2004 election headquarter tabulators to SmartTech servers in Chatanooga, Tennessee before releasing them to Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's office. The lawsuit maintains that Karl Rove, with the assistance of Mike Connell, architected and directed a strategy to manipulate elections through the use of computers.

Although this all sounds like fodder for conspiracy theorists, it should be noted that SmartTech servers also run the GeorgeWBush.com and GWB43.com websites and email systems.

Spoonamore links GovTech and SmartTech in the following email dated June 12, 2007:

"There is no difference between GovTech and SmartTech.

Randy Cole and his wife, siblings and a few friends own a rainbow of companies, all privately held, and constantly changing names.

He has two long time guys who I know, who also run his A-List operations.

Mike Connell (Plans the Operations)

Michael Gaines (IT lead architect on many projects)

All of his companies do the following things almost interchangably:

GOP Campaign Work (Bush00, Bush Transition Team, Bush04, 40+ GOP Congress runs, 25+ GOP Senate runs etc)

GOP Computer Support for GOP operations (some of it nasty)

Anti-Abortion Groups Computers (He does them for free for the Tax Write Off via sponsor churches)

Radical Christian Fascists Church Computers (Again for Free for the Tax Write offs)

Government Agency Contracts (Including several committees on the House and Senate side from 01-06)

GOP Mass Mailing/Phone Bank computers

These are all companies controlled by Randy Cole, either openly, or via direct family/political ties.

SmartTech

SmartTech Solutions

New Media Communications

New Media Solutions

GovTech Solutions (I know this one built a lot of systems on the Hill)

Government Technology Systems

Government Technology Solutions (Also had/has Hill contracts)

Technomania

TechnoSmarts

GOP-Technology

CampaignTech

SmartTouch Technologies

Christian Computer Services

New Life Technologies

The Message Technologies

He also has some phone bank companies, but I have never dug into that nest of issues.

They even tried to hire Cybrinth last year to increase the security for some of their 'more sensitive' clients. Among those they included the RNC, but not the Hill."

Connell has been subpoenaed and ordered to produce documents related to the case. He responded by hiring three high-powered GOP-connected attorneys, including Bill Todd, former counsel to Bush/Cheney '04. Connell's attorneys filed a motion to quash the subpoena and an affidavit stating that his information is confidential. Ohio Attorney Cliff Arnebeck is attempting to secure a court order to enforce the subpoena, convinced Connell's has vital information about SmartTech and the 2004 election.

I contacted Connell on several occasions to ask him about his meeting with Spoonamore, the White House emails and the lawsuit, but did not receive a response.

Perhaps Nora Dannehy will have better luck.

Comments

[brynn6]

This is extremely important, but only a part of the secrecy web. We also need a complete review of all of the "classified" documents that this administration has been trying to keep from scrutiny.

[texanna]

So, in 2004 Kerry threw the election because he had to be aware of all of these connections and did nothing to demand an investigation/recount! Thanks, John, for the last 4 years. And, in 2006 Pelosi and Reid allowed our agony to continue because they have to know about these connections and the problems they surely represent! Thanks, guys for the last 2 years of disaster that this country has been through. I don't know how Cindy is doing, but if I had any money I would send it to her! I certainly hope that Pelosi is shown her way back to her seat on the floor after this election and our new representatives come up with better leadership.

[esfriend]

Spoonamore was interviewed on video recently by the election integrity group Velvet Revolution. The revelations are stunning. Go here to link to the full download and YouTube clips:
http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/spoonamore_revelations

[Vinca]

esfriend: I couldn't be more sure, the've stolen the presidential election in 2000, and 2004, I THINK PEOPLE ARE ALMOST READY FOR A REVOLUTION, ESPECIALLY< IF IT'S STOLEN ONCE AGAIN

[TXfemmom]

I am no IT expert, but I knew that they had to have intentionally "lost" the e-mails and other data and that is definitely against the law, which requires that all this is official and must be retained.

All those systems have to be changed or stopped immediately upon Bush leaving office. All the hard drives and everything else should be seized NOW.

[LiberTLover]

I have worked in IT management for 20 years and you do not just lose e-mails. I find it impossible to believe that any IT manager of a system this size did not have a backup plan in place that kept backups for several months at the absolute minimum. Someone is lying big time or there was deliberate deletion of files and all the backup files.

[emtem]

Yes, and yes again. Let's hope that Ms. Dannehy can begin to unravel this gordion knot.

I ardently believe that this, rather than race, is the true Elephant in our collective living room.

Let's say it aloud, Bush cheated, twice. As opportunity presented itself in 00, and with forethought in 04. I think that we will find that an astonishing number of people suspect, or have an inkling. A vast portion of the center, and a surprising part of the right, who have swept, compartmentalized or pushed this kernel into a corner of their unconsious as just too unsettling. Begin unravelling the knot, and the epiphanies and "a-ha's" begin to seep out. Most Americans, no matter where the fall on the left-right bell curve, are honest and forthright at heart, and don't like cheaters.

And for heavens sake, call it cheating. "Stole the election" sounds like whining. Cheated is much more onerous.


Fortunately, as Bush's stock has fallen, this vast middle ground will be much more receptive to critical review, and this receptivity is grease for investigation disclosure.

Notice the Elephant.

[josesixpack]

it really bothers me that he has controlled the servers to the house and senate commitees as well. Especiallly considering the timing and how that correlates with the Democrats gaining control of congress. I have always believed taht they stole the 04 election as sure as they did the 00.

[schatsie]

He was also behind the HACKING into the Democratic Server for Congress....He needs to go to JAIL...

[roald]

Allegation or proof available? Please be clear or you will sound like a Republican.

[JWakkaJane]

Yes, great, good, great work, but, is our eye not actually on the ball when the focus is on 'nailing the bastids'?

What about the EFFECTS of what has been done: could it be losing the 08 election "afterall"? What has been set in motion, set up, set and sprung, what has been ACCOMPLISHED with this corruption, these organized crimes?

When so much of what this Administration has done has involved getting away with things via bluffing and stonewalling, bluffing and stonewalling, bluffing and stonewalling,

..we may eventually and ineffectually grind out congressional and justice department investigations that end in things like Libby getting pardoned,Gonzales finally simply bowing out of the limelight, finding the fall guys who get their wrists slapped for all our efforts but ..

MEANWHILE: what has actually been gotten away with? What CONTINUES to occur and unfold as a result of the crimes committed? What have all these crimes or 'alleged' crimes SUCCEEDED in? What has so much of the aim been in the case of various aspects of the Justice Department corruption? The Prosecutor Purge and the corruption of the Civil RIghts Division?

Dem vote suppression. C'mon man. Massive problem in motion, in PROGRESS, unfurling and coiling to strike, right now.

[carriellbee]

It is a frightening thing.

[raskolnikov72]

Excellent! Keep up the good work on this .. we need to return to paper balloting in order to preserve paper trails .. this is a mess and I hope we get an AG that will go after this agressively.

[schatsie]

We need REAL ELECTION REFORM
1..Paper Ballots
2. Voting on the WEEKEND
3. Public Financing
4. Limited Time Frame...

[RallyGrrrl]

Absolutely - voting should take place over four days: Friday - Saturday -Sunday -Monday.

And it should be a mandatory national holiday on Monday or Friday for all U.S. employers - like the 4th of July on steroids.

[DASChicago]

Absolutely great information.

I am not that amazed at the variety and depth of corruption and blatant misconduct with intent and malice cause on the American People by these perp's who through smoke screens expect to not be uncovered.

I hope that Gitmo/G-Bay stays open for "everyone" of them who are found guilty of this.

Just my opinion

[paulita]

I think the achilles heel for this administration was the firing of the U.S. Attorneys. They completely underestimated the powerful affect this would have.

We are always warned that data is virtually never permanently loss and this data with reference to the U S Attorneys is not lost either.

Mr. Connell sounds like an intregal para of the corrupt conspiracy that was the Bush Administration and I hope the Special Prosecutor will do as thorough an investigation as you have begun.

[MasterfullyInept]

It is my firm belief that neither the principles nor those who aided and abetted the ongoing criminal conspiracy that is the Bush administration will ever stand before the bar of justice.

[Nickesq]

Excellent information. But where is the FBI? How can we be confident that these thugs will not destroy evidence?

[truesteam]

Well we now know that Karl Rove is not the only person who has a personal stake in the Democrats losing. And he has the ability to rig a election. They need to get on this guy NOW.

Also, Radical Christian Fascist Church? Is this a church or just an opinion of the kind of Churches he is donating free work to? Does anyone know?

[carriellbee]

I can't (yet) find anything called "Radical Christian Fascists Church" but here are some links to some interesting reading.

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Chris%20_Hedges/America's_Holy_Warriors.html
http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/1432/81/
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/2/19/chris_hedges_on_american_fascists_the

And I found this, which to me is particularly disturbing:

Camp American - Where God"s Truth And Patriotism Go Hand-In-Hand

From the main page of their website - http://www.campamerican.com/

"Camp American„¢ will also help your teen recognize and refute false teachings and morally bankrupt philosophies now so prevalent in American culture. Students will discover the deception of evolution, the importance of purity and morals in a free society, and the pagan connection to the radical environmental movement. Your teen will learn the importance of prayer and action. Most importantly, students will learn that in order to restore America, we must return America to Christ."

Their 2008 camp theme is "Taking the Long View." Some of the topics listed in their 2008 brochure are

- The Constitution and Original Intent
- The Proper Role of Government
- Radical Environmentalism and Global Warming
- Republics and Democracies: The Difference

http://www.campamerican.com/wp-content/uploads/minibroch08.pdf

[VA Lady2008]

I have a great deal of difficulty imagining that the files aren't available somewhere, and I suspect our Mr. IT Specialist may know where. I'm not suggesting that he was a party to the"disappearance" just that we need to find someone who actually can sit down with a pencil and piece of paper and draw a diagram of the existing systems.

The heart of any computer is its basic operating system. It isn't human, but has every reason to appreciate the "next life" will it will live on, essentially forever, somewhere on a back up drive.

[larmarch5]

Look for these emails to become available after Obama becomes Prez. There are a lot of career civil servants who will be providing all kinds of whistles for blowing once it becomes safe for them to do so.

[SeeDaddy]

Thanks for the excellent article. As an IT professional, I appreciate how well you explained the issues and relationships.

Certainly, Congress should initiate investigation. This could be best pursued by a special prosecutor.

I agree that the focus of any investigation should Mike Connell. He could be the key to identifying the kingpins in this conspiracy to subvert the Constitution and our democratic foundation.