Posted on 03/13/2016 7:21:16 PM PDT by Mariner
A State Department staffer who oversaw security and technology issues for Hillary Clinton is refusing to answer Senate investigators’ questions about the former secretary of state’s use of a private email server — marking the second time an ex-State employee has declined to talk to lawmakers.
John Bentel, a now-retired State employee who managed IT security issues for the top echelon at the department, declined to be interviewed by GOP staff on the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees, according to a letter obtained by POLITICO.
The chairmen of both committees, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), are now threatening to consider other ways to compel him to discuss the matter.
“We are troubled by your refusal to engage with the committees even after repeated overtures of accommodation,” the letter to Bentel and his lawyer reads. “We need to speak with you. … We would, of course, prefer that you meet with us in a voluntary and informal manner, but we will consider other options if faced with a continuing lack of cooperation.” Hillary Clinton is pictured.
Bentel’s lawyer, Randy Turk of Baker Botts in Washington, did not reply to a request for comment, but the recent letter notes that Bentel told House Benghazi investigators last year he did not recall the server matter, according to the Senate letter. And in email correspondence between the panel and Bentel's laywer, which was reviewed by POLITICO, Turk lamented that Bentel had already talked to the House Benghazi panel “about precisely what the committtees’ letter states is the subject of their investigation.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Oh, these IT guys will tell the whole story on every conversation they ever had with Clinton and/or staff.
They probably kept notes.
They probably kept notes.
If they had half a brain.
Take his pension.
I believe you call it supoena with immunity stipulation.....
One might wonder if his emails to HRC might have been “inadvertently erased.” Kind of.
The question is.... Who was the ISSO? He would bear ultimate responsibility for security of those systems.
Immediate forfeiture of pension payments until such time as the former employee provides information pertaining to their official tasks. There should be no method of recovering any forfeited payments because timeliness is an imperative when dealing with an elected body. A resumption of pension payments will be made after the testimony is secured.
Former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker...is a senior partner at the Houston-based law firm, Baker Botts
Baker popped up recently with a legal opinion.
An IT guy does not secure high-priced talent like this unless they are in trouble.
Or, somebody else is paying the bill.
Place him in contempt of congress and arrest him. Then offer him immunity in exchange for his testimony. Carrot and stick.
CC
...another reason to vote for Trump. Cruz is not going to win the nomination either outright or brokered, so it’s either Trump, or Jeb, or Linda, or Romney.
Anyone care to guess who, in the above listing, would be willing to PROSECUTE Obama flunkies once he takes office?
Anyone care to guess who, in the above listing, would be willing to PROSECUTE Obama flunkies once he takes office?
That is one reason to be very concerned about his safety.
No immunity unless it is known what information he has to offer and that it’s worthwhile in the furtherance of the investigation.
In 1994, the McDonnell Douglas Corporation transferred military-use machine tools to the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation that ended up in the hands of the Chinese army. The sale occurred despite Defense Department objections. McDonnell Douglas was a client of the Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin, L.L.P. (now called Baker Botts), the Washington, D.C., law firm where Gorelick worked for 17 years and was a partner. Ray Larroca, another partner in the firm, represented McDonnell in the Justice Department’s investigation of the technology transfer.
Gorelick of “Gorelick Wall” infamy.
Arkancide doesn’t recognize immunity.
Also, what if she wins the election? Ruh Ro.
Moreover, in 1995, Michael Armstrong, then the CEO of Hughes Electronics – a division of General Electric and another client of Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin – was publicly lobbying Clinton to switch satellite export controls from the State Department to the Commerce Department. After the controls were lifted, Hughes and another company gave sensitive data to the Chinese, equipment a Pentagon study later concluded would allow China to develop intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missiles aimed at American targets. Miller Cassidy Larroca & Lewin partner Randall Turk represented Hughes in the Congressional, State Department, and Justice Department investigations that resulted. ------------ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1141698/posts
By his lack of cooperation, it’s reasonable to infer he fears either prosecution or retaliation. Make the immunity conditional to the value of the testimony offered. The unwillingness of the individual to cooperate with the congressional subpoena is just the opening salvo in the lawyers game of “let’s make a deal” anyway.
CC
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