John Salvati:

May 3, 2001 7:36 AM

John Salvati: not funny. Man imprissoned for 30 YEARS, known to be innocent by FBI, FBI kept him there b/c if the real perp was caught, dozens of informants would have been revealed. 30 years, gone, makes me sick feeling. There will be more news on this soon, I hope.
posted by tomplus2 (9 comments total)

This is one of the most chilling stories of wrongful imprisonment I have read in a very long time.
Surely no amount of settlement money can replace half a lifetime lost behind bars.
posted by davehat at 8:01 AM on May 3, 2001

Couple this with the John Connolly story, and you've got some pretty serious corruption in the Boston FBI office. Why this isn't a huge national scandal is beyond me.
posted by jpoulos at 10:27 AM on May 3, 2001

One bizarre twist: in testifying before congress, the "mobsters" wanna talk and the Feds wanna take the fifth.
posted by dchase at 11:01 AM on May 3, 2001

Ever since the "Soviet Union" fell apart, we are beginning to discover that the "evil empire" is a disease that can corrupt the heart of even the most "noble" of American Institutions. The media is still a little leery about taking on the FBI thanks to the practices developed by its first Director. This story is very scary and yet has been totally ignored by the national media.
posted by alsaiz at 11:55 AM on May 3, 2001

It seems to me that "mainstream" media is hesitant to take on the F.B.I., the armed forces, and all other "conservative" institutions. Why that is, is a very good question. This is compounded by their (uncritical) coverage of the new administration, as well as Republicans in congress. What the F.B.I. did in this case is unpardonable, and flies in the face of all that this country stands for. To quote Bob Dole: "Where is the outrage?".
posted by Rastafari at 12:23 PM on May 3, 2001

a) The Soviet Union actually did exist. Why the "quotes?"

b) Anyone who is only now becoming aware that the US federal government contains corrupt elements, hasn't been paying much attention over the last 50-60 years.

c) This story just came out, and now I've seen it in four different places in the last six hours. I think it is going to be a huge scandal.
posted by aaron at 12:29 PM on May 3, 2001

As seen by the coverage of anti-capitalism demonstrations and politics on both sides of the Atlantic,I think it's safe to say the media is not scared to go after "conservative" institutions, they are one.
posted by fullerine at 1:37 PM on May 3, 2001

So maybe this explains the recent spin on China as the big bad boogeyman. It may possibly be the only other country in the world with a human rights record as poor as the US. If they would only hold mock elections we'd be left in the dust.
posted by nofundy at 7:13 AM on May 4, 2001

As seen by the coverage of anti-capitalism demonstrations and politics on both sides of the Atlantic,I think it's safe to say the media is not scared to go after conservative" institutions, they are one.

Um, this isn't a *conservative* agency...

it's an agency with guns, badges, and the ability to put you in jail for 30 years with no good reason.
posted by baylink at 10:04 AM on May 4, 2001