09-30-2011, 12:19 AM
Creating threads about new Obama scandals is like eating cashews (or some might say Lay's potato chips) when you open the bag, it is hard to stop with just one or two or three...but this is absolutely the last one for the night. Not so coincidentally, this scandal involves another large Obama campaign donor.[INDENT]
Quote:Report: White House pressured general to support LightSquared in testimony[/INDENT]
The White House pressured an Air Force general to change his congressional testimony in order to make it more supportive of a wireless startup, according to a report. The Daily Beast reported that Gen. William Shelton was asked to alter his planned remarks to lawmakers and their staff in a secured briefing about LightSquared.One of the major investors in LightSquared is prominent Democratic donor Philip Falcone.
LightSquared plans to provide high-speed wireless service nationwide through a network of satellites and land-based cell towers, but tests earlier this year revealed it interferes with GPS devices, including those used by the military.
Shelton is scheduled to offer his testimony at a House Armed Services Committee hearing Thursday morning, where questions about White House involvement are certain to come up.
News of possible pressure to support a troubled tech company comes as the FBI and lawmakers investigate bankrupt solar firm [B]Solyndra.[/B]
According to the report, Shelton was pressured to change his testimony to show he supported the White House's policy to expand wireless broadband access and the Pentagon would try to resolve the GPS interference issues with more testing within 90 days.
Shelton chafed at the intervention because it made it seem as if the Pentagon was trying to help the company launch its network, according to the report.