Note: This story is Fiction created by a warped mind. All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely accidental. The author retains all rights to this story.
I am sorry this story is late; my computer went on an extended vacation, and took my stories to the shop with it.
44. Unbelievable
The Congressional hearings had barely started, when Congress broke for their Christmas holiday. When they returned in January, they resumed, and it took two full months to go through all the paperwork the FBI and the Justice Department provided.
The DOJ and FBI presented no firm evidence against Marco Mancuso. They only had possibilities and probabilities against Anthony Caruso. They tried to tie Anthony Caruso into the drug fiasco at the port of Newark. However, the special prosecutor asked the FBI to provide one tangible piece of evidence the Bureau could present, after 12 years of surveillance, in court that could tie Mr. Caruso to that drug shipment,
or any other criminal activity.
They presented the video tapes of the olive oil can disappearing, while the exterminators were spraying the building for roaches. The Special Agent in Charge of the drug operation explained, the 'can of oil' was purchased at an Italian market, by the wife of agent McAfee, who was killed, in her home. At the time she was seated at her kitchen table, with two men, who we believe were employed by Mr. Caruso, having coffee. When her husband walked in and saw the men, he started firing at them, and Mrs. McAfee was killed along with both the men. Agent McAfee was severely wounded, and barely escaped with his life."
"Were they threatening Mrs. McAfee, while they were drinking her coffee?"
"No sir they were not."
"Were they holding a gun on her, while they were having coffee?"
"No Sir they were not."
"Why did agent McAfee start shooting, when he walked in to the room, instead of trying to arrest the men?"
"In his statement to us, judge, he said he feared for his life."
"He feared for his life, because two men were sitting peacefully having coffee with his wife. Is that correct, Director?"
"Yes Sir that is what he said in his sworn statement."
Judge Swarovski asked the Director of the FBI to provide a picture of Anthony Caruso and compare it with a picture of the men in white carrying the can of oil away. There was no comparison between the two men. The judge asked, "You cannot identify the man in white; but you absolutely know, by comparing these two pictures, that it is not Mr. Caruso. Is that correct?"
"Yes, judge, that is correct."
"You have no other evidence, except the one can of olive oil was packed with, what you tested as cocaine. However, you cannot present it to this committee, and you cannot prove that Mr. Caruso had anything to do with it. Is that correct?"
"Yes judge that is correct. However we have circumstantial evidence that leads us..."
"If you cannot prove that Mr. Caruso was involved, in any way, with that one can of olive oil, you cannot prove that he had any involvement with that entire shipment. If you brought this case to me in a court of law, I would throw you out on your ear."
"Judge, we feel it in our bones that he is..."
"Mr. Director, unless you have evidence, you cannot present it. In this country you are innocent until proven guilty. You cannot prove that either Mr. Caruso or Mr. Mancuso has anything to do with organized crime. You are dismissed."
Judge Swarovski said to the member on the dais, "Members of the committee, in my judgment the FBI has overstepped its bounds, as a law enforcement agency, and has been derelict in its duty. I will write up my findings and present them to you within one week. I would suggest that you request the president to begin a search for a new Director of the FBI. It is my opinion that ridding the FBI of these political appointees, and replacing them with competent, properly trained law enforcement officers, would stop this abuse of power. It would allow our federal agents to focus on the real problems this country has with crime."
"Judge Swarovski, the members of this committee will meet in executive session, and make our recommendations to the full Congress, pending your report. However, as for me, personally, I am deeply saddened by the way the FBI has treated two Italian American citizens, just because of their ethnic background. Our recommendations will be passed along to the President. This meeting is adjourned."
Thomas Shackleford turned off the television in his office and smiled. His case against the FBI was made, and all he had to do now was have his associates do the transcriptions from Judge Swarovski's findings, after they were released to the public. He had just finished writing the memo to his staff, when his secretary buzzed him.
The legal department, from the American Airlines, was on the telephone requesting a meeting. He picked up the phone and said, "I suspect you just watched what I did?"
The voice on the other end of the phone said, "Yes we did."
Mr. Shackleford said, "In that case, I would suggest you write a check for $100 million, because if I take this to court, the jury may just give us more than we ask for. The offer is good for 72 hours. Have a good day gentlemen."
Shackleford buzzed his secretary and told her to contact Mr. Mancuso for him. Call him on his cell phone, because he is probably at work.
"This is Marco Mancuso, how may I help you?"
"Mr. Mancuso, this is Thomas Shackleford. We have just received a phone call from American Airlines. I believe we will be getting a check, within 72 hours, for $100 million. I did not give them much of a choice, because of what happened in Congress today."
"I am sorry Mr. Shackleford I have been very busy today and I was unable to watch any television. What happened in Congress today?"