1/20/12, "Top DOJ official to take Fifth on Fast & Furious," Washington Examiner, Philip Klein
"A top official at the Department of Justice has decided to assert his Fifth amendment right not to testify after being subpoenaed by House investigators in the probe into Fast and Furious, the program under which the Obama administration knowingly allowed thousands of guns to flow into Mexico, where they wound up in the hands of Mexican drug lords. At least two of the guns turned up
- at the murder scene of a U.S. border agent.
In connection with its probe, the House Oversight and Government Reform committee had subpoenaed Patrick Cunningham, the chief of the criminal division in the Arizona U.S. Attorney’s office, which was involved with the program. But this morning committee chairman Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., announced Cunningham had informed the committee of his intention to assert his Fifth amendment right.
Issa released the following statement:
“The assertion of the fifth amendment by a senior Justice official is a significant indictment of the Department’s integrity in Operation Fast and Furious. The former head of the ATF has previously told the committee that the Justice Department is managing its response to Operation Fast and Furious in a manner designed to protect its political appointees. This is the first time anyone has asserted their fifth amendment right in this investigation and heightens concerns that the Justice Department’s motivation for refusing to hand over subpoenaed materials is a desire to shield responsible officials from criminal charges and other embarrassment.
“Coming a year after revelations about reckless conduct in Operation Fast and Furious were first brought to light, the assertion of the fifth amendment also raises questions about whether President Obama and Attorney General Holder have made a serious and adequate response to allegations raised by whistleblowers. Did Attorney General Holder really not know a senior Justice Department official fears criminal prosecution or is this just another example of him hiding important facts? The committee will continue to demand answers.”"
via Weasel Zippers
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