Pot/Kettle Alert: James O’Keefe Operative Was Accused Of Plying Source With Booze

O’Keefe also sent me the email exchange in which he demanded a correction from The Star Ledger’s Bob Braun:

From: James E. O’Keefe III
Sent: Mon 11/22/2010 6:46 PM
To: BRAUN, ROBERT
Subject: Your false reporting

Bob,

You continue to falsely report that those associated with me bought Alissa Ploshnick drinks. It is untrue we bought anyone at that conference any drink and the people that work with me have confirmed this.

She admits to buying her own glass of wine. Now, other publications are running with your falsehood.
I know you’re trying to make a point, but can you do so without misstating the facts?

Recall the Star-Ledger has already printed a correction after falsely reporting I committed a felony in Louisiana.

Also: I find it bizarre that you have done no reporting on who the teacher Ploshnick refers to, the one who refered to the student as n*****, but still teaches kids.
The NJEA should follow up on Ploshnick’s statement by disclosing the name of said teacher to the parents of NJ.

James

Here’s Braun’s reply:

From: BRAUN, ROBERT
Date: Mon, Nov 22, 2010 at 8:05 PM
Subject: RE: Your false reporting
To: “James E. O’Keefe III”

Dear Mr. O’Keefe:

Thanks for your note. I have not “continued” to report anything about the Ploshnick set-up.

I don’t know how you can say I “falsely” reported anything unless you were there at the time. The man who bought her drinks would have to come forward before we would be willing to entertain the idea there is a dispute about who bought whom drinks and how many.

There is no evidence of anyone in Passaic calling anyone else a racial slur beyond Ms. Ploshnick’s contention, made in a private and apparently well-lubricated conversation. On the basis of that, you conclude what? There is at least the possibility she was making things up to impress your operative or was passing along something she heard but, like you, did not actually witness.

I have copied the editors with whom I discussed this.

Bob Braun

I emailed Braun yesterday, as well. Here’s our exchange:

from Tommy Christopher
to RBRAUN
date Mon, Oct 24, 2011 at 3:18 PM
subject James O’Keefe

Bob,

your name came up tangentially in an interview I did with James, and I just wanted to clarify what should be perfectly obvious. Alissa Ploshnik told you that O’Keefe’s guy bought her drinks, right?

from rbraun
to Tommy Christopher
date Tue, Oct 25, 2011 at 8:35 AM

Yes, she did. O’Keefe later disputed this but, of course, he wasn’t there. He also would not reveal the identity of his agent or have him speak with me.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.