State Department wants limits on questioning of Clinton aides

[dutch508]

oh, dear...

seafan (9,339 posts) http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141404537

State Department wants limits on questioning of Clinton aides

Source: Politico

Top aides to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton should not be questioned about an ongoing FBI investigation into the presence of classified information on her private email server or about the substance of the messages that were exchanged, as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, the State Department said in a court filing Tuesday night.

In the new submission, the State Department continued to object to depositions of former Clinton aides and other officials in the lawsuit brought by the the conservative group Judicial Watch, but U.S. District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled in February that he would permit "narrowly tailored" discovery about the unusual private server set-up used by Clinton during her four years as America's top diplomat.

.....

"State submits that the scope of discovery must be limited and specified at the outset to prevent questioning that exceeds the limited inquiry that the Court has authorized," the filing from Justice Department laywers says. "Based on the Court’s statements at the February 23 hearing, State understands the scope of permissible discovery to be 'the reasons for the creation of (the clintonemail.com) system.'"

"State respectfully submits that the Court’s order should specify that discovery is limited to this topic. To that end, State requests that the Court clarify that Plaintiff is not entitled to discovery on matters unrelated to the topic identified by the Court, to include without limitation: the substantive information sought by Plaintiff in its FOIA request in this case, which involves the employment status of a single employee; the storage, handling,transmission, or protection of classified information, including cybersecurity issues; and questions about any pending investigations," the submission says. "State objects to any discovery requests pertaining to the FBI’s pending investigation into matters referred to it by the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Community and State in connection with former Secretary Clinton’s use of a private email server."

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/04/clinton-emails-state-department-221612

This stonewalling must stop.

Also using her position as Secretary of State to funnel millions into the coffers of the Clinton Foundation must not escape scrutiny, and must be addressed via discovery, as these actions reveal intense conflicts of interest.

The Clinton aides hold many of the pieces to the public exposure of these conflicts, and it must occur before voters make decisions about our next president.

 

karynnj (52,935 posts)
26. I suspect that this might be to limit the extent of the inquiries to things relevant to the FOIA requests. It seems they want to limit the use of this politically motivated case in being a fishing expedition to find new things that they can challenge. This might be consistent with halting their own investigation giving precedence to the FBI investigation.

Star Member geek tragedy (56,334 posts)
6. So you support Judicial Watch being able to interfere with an ongoing investigation and exceed the scope of permissible discovery in their FOIA lawsuit?

hamsterjill (6,577 posts)
18. Well, I agree with you! This is all much ado about nothing. Legal counsel for those being deposed are certainly going to make each and every objection that they can. It doesn't mean there is anything to hide. It just means that the lawyers are doing the jobs they are being paid to do.

But of course, ANYTHING that makes Hillary look bad is okay with some people.

Star Member geek tragedy (56,334 posts)
23. so, you favor allowing rightwing groups to force Democratic officials to answer any question whatsoever under oath? No limitations on the scope of questioning?

Yup. Pretty much.

Democat (10,153 posts)
28. So many right wing pro-Trump trolls on this thread

Hope to see everyone supporting right wingers over Democrats banned once the primaries are over.

 

[thundley4]

Democat (10,153 posts)
28. So many right wing pro-Trump trolls on this thread

Hope to see everyone supporting right wingers over Democrats banned once the primaries are over.

More likely it is the Berniebots that are wanting a complete and open investigation into Hillary's wrongdoing. 

[CollectivismMustDie]

Star Member geek tragedy (56,334 posts)
23. so, you favor allowing rightwing groups to force Democratic officials to answer any question whatsoever under oath? No limitations on the scope of questioning?

Way to be political without explaining why it is a bad idea.

Switch the parties and you'd be all for it, asshole.


CMD