In 2002, HBO announced plans to air a 19-year-old FBI surveillance video starring Rev. Al Sharpton. The Democratic presidential candidate promptly cited the FBI's willingness to release the tape as further evidence of the government "trying to bring down successful minority businesspeople." The content of the tape? Al Sharpton unwittingly discussing a cocaine deal with undercover agents.
[In fairness to Sharpton, no charges were ever laid.]
Sources
San Francisco Examiner, July 24, 2002
