Posted on 01/03/2018 12:39:21 PM PST by mojito
Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (Iowa-R) is pushing back on Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm that helped assemble the controversial "Steele dossier" about President Trump.
The co-founders of Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, wrote a blistering op-ed for The New York Times on Tuesday slamming the GOP's investigations into the dossier. They accused Republicans of selectively leaking details of their testimony to the press and demanded that full transcripts be released.
But Grassley, whose panel interviewed Simpson in August, in a statement Wednesday said Simpson has already been invited to testify publicly about the dossier, adding that the offer "remains on the table."
A spokesman also said that it was Simpson who demanded that the transcript of his testimony to the Judiciary Committee be kept private.
"Senator Grassley provided Fusion GPS an opportunity for transparency six months ago when he invited the firm to publicly testify at an open committee hearing. Mr. Simpson declined," said Grassley spokesman Taylor Foy.
"When faced with a subpoena from the Chairman and Ranking Member, Mr. Simpson refused to provide public testimony, using his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to negotiate for a closed-door interview," he added.
"Despite his public statements, Mr. Simpson and his attorney demanded during the interview that the transcript be kept confidential. Mr. Simpson has refused to answer dozens of questions voluntarily, and has failed to provide the Committee with documents and responses to follow-up questions after the interview," it continued.
Simpson appeared before the Judiciary Committee in August for a 10-hour closed-door interview, after reaching an agreement to talk to the panel on a voluntary basis....
He similarly appeared before the House Intelligence Committee in mid-November for a voluntary, closed-door interview in which he maintained the right decline to answer the panel's questions.
(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...
Why not a warrant?
- Kimberley Strassel on twitter
.
..for.. the Enemy is now Within, and always has Been..
.
They wrote a sternly worded letter to the editorial board of the NYet Times. None of that letter was ‘under oath’.
And until Congress actually does something to compel testimony and compliance, why should anyone (private citizen or government employee) ever honor a Congressional subpoena for anything or appear at any hearing?
look at all the various people and agencies stonewalling them and they come across as a toothless tiger.
Yep, they mouthed off in public using the New York Times as their outlet. Let them have an open hearing in Congress and back up their statement under oath.
Where are the grand juries? Where are the subpoenas, warrants and testimony taken under oath?
So much for the rule of law.
5.56mm
There’s been considerable coverage of Glenn Simpson... how come there’s not been much about Peter Fritsch?
Because Fritsch refused to testify, or took the Fifth, I don’t recall. Also, my understanding, based on comments made by Simpson’s wife on social media, is that Simpson was the guy who spearheaded the dossier project.
“They accused Republicans of selectively leaking details of their testimony to the press...”
Hmm, you mean like Fusion GPS selectively leaked details of their fake “dossier” to the press?
Well, if it was just oppo research, it is not a national security issue. If it was used as evidence for a FISA judge, we’ll figure out real quick if it was a national security problem. Go for it!
A little pressure in the form of US Marshals and search warrants would be better...
Oh wait... That would take a justice system that was not run by the same criminals that you are trying to convict. Hell that won't work.
The co-founders of Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, wrote a blistering op-ed for The New York Times on Tuesday slamming the GOP's investigations into the dossier.The only reasons they'd do that is if A) they're guilty of crimes or B) they're trying to protect someone who is still paying them off like a slot machine.
Still can’t accept good news and positive actions.
Good to see your handle, Ronnie. Happy New Year, FRiend. And as always, thank you for your very honorable service.
Crawl back into your womb sob
When the tick crawled into your ear did the doctors give you an idea of how long it would take to destroy your brain?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.