GWB scandal: N.J. panel may need judge to settle standoff with former Christie staffers

[George II]

Source: Bergen Record

Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Last updated: Wednesday February 5, 2014, 4:18 PM

TRENTON — New Jersey lawmakers investigating a political payback scandal ensnaring Gov. Chris Christie's administration may need to get a judge to force two key figures to turn over subpoenaed documents.

Christie's two-time campaign manager and a deputy chief of staff have refused to turn over text messages, emails, personal calendars and other documents related to a traffic-blocking operation near the George Washington Bridge that caused massive backups, apparently for political retribution. Their lawyers have asked that the subpoenas be withdrawn.

The legislative panel's lawyer, Reid Schar, is reviewing options to enforce the subpoenas. Committee co-chairs Loretta Weinberg and John Wisniewski, both Democrats, said Wednesday no decision had been made on how to proceed.

"We feel we have valid reasons for issuing the subpoenas and they have an obligation to comply," said Wisniewski.

Legal experts say the lawmakers may have to ask a judge to settle the dispute.

Read more: http://www.northjersey.com/news/GWB_scandal_NJ_panel_may_need_judge_to_settle_standoff_with_former_Christie_staffers_.html

[okaawhatever]

1. Since they both pled the fifth, doesn't that kind of tell a judge that there is something worthy of

a Congressional investigation? Will they have a jurisdiction argument or something?

[another_liberal]

3. "Kind of tell a judge that there is something . . ."

I think it screams that fact to the fucking rooftops!

[chuckstevens]

2. Which Judge?

State? Federal? My concern is that a partisan Republican judge will say that, "Oh no, they don't have to turn over anything." Stay tuned!

[Jack Rabbit]

5. Roberts, Alito, Scalia, Thomas and Kennedy

Pick one.

[DallasNE]

6. Federal, It Would Seem

Since they are pleading Federal 4th & 5th Amendment objections.

[Gothmog]

4. Here is a thread from some DU lawyers on this issue

Here is a thread where some DU lawyers discussed this issue http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024427107 I do not think that the Hubble case (which is cited by both Septien's and Kelly's lawyer) applies to this case. The legal theories o n which these witnesses are refusing to produce documents are called the "act of production" doctrine and "testimony by production." As set forth on that thread, I do not believe that a judge will uphold the claims of privilege by these witnesses. The litigation on this issue will take some time and that may be what these witness were really looking for.

[RAM49]

7. Time...

Time is what they want ... and it's time that most of them will probably get.
There is no 5th amendment in a federal grand jury, only obstruction and federal prison. The Feds have data bank access on all data history...all we need is butter!