The New York Times has picked up the Rep. Jane Harman scandal story and adds this tidbit:
[One official, who has seen transcripts of several wiretapped calls] said that
someone seeking help for the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee
employees was recorded asking Ms. Harman to intervene with the Justice
Department, but that she responded by saying she would have more
influence with a White House official she did not identify.In
return, the caller promised her that a wealthy California donor would
threaten to withhold campaign contributions to Representative Nancy Pelosi,
the California Democrat who was expected to become speaker after the
2006 election, if she did not select Ms. Harman for the intelligence
post.
Later, the Times states that "Haim Saban, a media mogul, one of the world’s richest men and a vocal supporter of Israel" is the mysterious California donor, according to an unidentified official said to be familiar with the transcript of “at
least one phone call.”
So Saban's name came up, but not as the "Israeli agent" and his participation is not exactly clear. I'm sure there's more to come.
