SECRET SERVICE RESPONDS ON GANNON: Proper procedures followed

[rawstory]

Secret Service responds on Gannon inquiry, says ‘no deviation’ from ‘proper procedures’

Secret Service says Gannon approved appropriately

By John Byrne | RAW STORY Editor

The Secret Service has responded to a request from House Democrats to investigate the approval of discredited White House correspondent ‘Jeff Gannon’ and says there was “no deviation” from “proper procedures,” RAW STORY can reveal.

The Service, which responded in a letter to Rep. John Conyers and Rep. Louise Slaughter on Monday, asserts that Gannon, whose real name was Jim Guckert, was approved appropriately.

“Please be advised that our Office of Protective Operations has looked into this matter and has determined that there was no deviation from Secret Service standards and procedures as your letter suggests,” wrote Secret Service Deputy Assistant Director Conrad A. Everett. “Mr. Guckert provided the Secret Service with his legal name, rather than his ‘pen name,’ and was assessed using the same criteria applied to all individuals seeking access to White House briefings.

“We would note,” Everett added, “that members of the press who are afforded access to the White House may utilize professional names that differ from their legal names. The Secret Service, however, requires that legal names be provided to enable the screening processes to work effectively.”

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/index.php?p=161

(I try not to post our own stories to LBN, so if someone wants to, I'd say go for it)