http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090925/OPINION/909250324/1029/OPINION03

September 25, 2009 - 12:00 am

I am alarmed about the detailed allegations that have now come to public light in the case of Sibel Edmonds, the former FBI language specialist who was fired after accusing a colleague of covering up illicit activity. The allegations, outlined by Edmonds in a recent interview in The American Conservative, concern a massive corruption scheme involving U.S. government employees, members of Congress and agents of foreign governments, primarily Turkey.

Taking bribes and receiving favors from foreign governments seeking to influence decisions on vital matters of U.S. national security constitutes the gravest possible breach of the public trust. If these allegations are true, and we now have very plausible evidence that they are, then they merit the highest possible level of public concern, and urgent congressional investigation and action.

Rep. Paul Hodes serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform which, according to the committee's website, "is the main investigative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives" and "has jurisdiction to investigate any federal program and any matter with federal policy implications." Surely these allegations fall under the committee's jurisdiction. We should expect to see prompt action.

DAN KERVICK

Bow