ZGram - 11/29/2002 - "Breaking story about the still unsolved 1984 IHR arson...."

[irimland@zundelsite.org]

ZGram - Where Truth is Destiny

November 29, 2002

Good Morning from the Zundelsite:

Here is an interesting break in an 18-year-old crime against the 
Institute for Historical Review, still officially unsolved:

[START]

TORRANCE FIRE TIED TO JDL MEMBER

Courts: Man allegedly boasted of firebombing the "Holocaust deniers"
bookstore.

By Matt Krasnowski / Copley News Service

Daily Breeze (Torrance, California) - Wed., November 27, 2002

A Jewish Defense League member claimed credit in a taped conversation
for firebombing a "Nazi bookstore" that law enforcement sources contend
is the 1984 arson fire that destroyed the Torrance office of a group
that claims the Holocaust was a hoax.

Prosecutors alleged in court Monday that during their investigation of
JDL member Earl Krugel he claimed credit for a firebombing of a
bookstore. They refused to discuss the bookstore allegation beyond what
was in the paperwork. But a law enforcement source familiar with the
probe said investigators strongly believe Krugel is referring to the
July 4, 1984, firebombing of the Torrance office of the Institute for
Historical Review, which was a lightning rod for controversy during the
early 1980s.

The fire at the group's Noontide Press, 2539 W. 237th St., was believed
to be started by a Molotov cocktail or by someone dousing the building
with gasoline and igniting it, police said at the time. The fire caused
$300,000 to $400,000 damage. Krugel is currently in custody and was
arrested last year along with late JDL chairman Irv Rubin on charges of
plotting to bomb a Culver City mosque and an office of Rep. Darrell
Issa, R-Vista. Krugel has pleaded not guilty and his trial is set to
begin in January.

The bookstore allegation stems from Krugel's attempt to be released on
bail. He contended he should be released in light of Rubin's death
earlier this month after an alleged suicide attempt. Prosecutors opposed
bail, contending Krugel was a danger to the community and citing a
transcript from a snippet of November 2001 taped conversation between
Krugel and an informant.

According to court papers, the informant asked Krugel about the biggest
bombing he has "ever seen, done" and asks if the JDL bombed offices of
the Anti-Defamation League.

"Nobody hit the ADL although they deserve it richly," Krugel reportedly
said. "Uh, no it was on the uh, bookstore... that Nazi bookstore... the
Holocaust deniers."

"I remember you telling me something about that," the informant replies.

"That was beautiful, man," Krugel said. "I did it. It was better than I
expected."

Krugel also notes that authorities never linked the arson fire to the
JDL. "Not one ounce of heat came down with it," he said.

During a hearing Monday, Krugel's lawyer, Mark Werksman, said his client
"denies being part of any such scheme." Werksman said the allegations
should not be considered in the bail request because Krugel "is not
charged" with any bombing and the allegation "is not proven."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Victor Kenton rejected the bail bid, saying there
was evidence to support keeping Krugel jailed even without the new
allegations.

The Institute for Historical Review's office and bookstore had been the
target of vandalism and protests in the past and a multimillion-dollar
lawsuit brought by a concentration camp survivor. Mark Weber, director
of the IHR, said he wasn't surprised that the attack was linked to the
JDL.

"Krugel's statement confirms our suspicions about that attack," Weber
said. "It's good to see some sort of resolution of this crime." Weber
said that after the fire Rubin came to the location and denied
responsibility for the fire but praised whoever did it.

[END]