Lying to the FBI? Obstruction of justice? A possible "coverup at high levels of our government"? Sure. But what the Los Angeles Times really wants you to know about the completed investigation of former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros is how much it cost. Check this out from yesterday's Times (Friday, January 20, 2006) (emphasis mine):
PAGE A1, in a preview block at the bottom corner of the page, under a picture of Cisneros: "Prosecutor Ends Cisneros Probe: After about 10 years and $21 million spent ..."
PAGE A2, Today's News (a preview section), "Coverup is Alleged: ... The inquiry began in 1995 and cost $21 million."
PAGE A16, Times staffer David G. Savage begins the actual 1139-word article: "After 10 years and $21 million spent ..."
PAGE A16, near the end of the piece, Savage quotes Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA): "It's outrageous that taxpayers were charged $22 million over 10 years for so little." (21? 22? Whatever ...)
PAGE A16, under an accompanying picture of Cisneros, the caption reads: "Ex-HUD chief: Henry G. Cisneros pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor in 1999. The inquiry cost about $21 million."
Did everyone get that? Did you get the cost? Now back to that possible coverup ...
