Mark Geragos is representing Brent Wilkes?

[Joanne98]

Attorney in Foggo Case Seeks to "Opt Out" of Security Clearance
http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/

A defense attorney in the prosecution of former CIA executive director Kyle "Dusty" Foggo and contractor Brent Wilkes on bribery charges has refused to undergo a background investigation or submit to other procedures required in order to obtain a security clearance for access to classified information.

Defense counsel should not be required "to undergo any kind of a process by which my adversary in an adversarial system is going to determine whether or not I can represent my client," argued celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who represents Brent Wilkes.

Instead, he indicated, the government should simply provide the defense with all exculpatory material.

But it doesn't work that way, government attorneys said. In a June 8 pleading (pdf), they asked the court to require imposition of a security clearance, administered by a judicial branch official if necessary, or to take other steps to safeguard up to 15,000 pages of classified discovery materials.

The unusual dispute was first reported by Justin Rood in "Attorney Geragos Accused of Subtle Extortion," ABC News' The Blotter, June 11.

Posted by Steven Aftergood at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
http://www.fas.org/blog/secrecy/

[Joanne98]

1. New policy award for spooks!

DNI Issues New Policy on Intelligence Awards
http://fas.org/blog/secrecy/

The U.S. intelligence community may acknowledge professional excellence by presenting employees or others with one of several monetary or honorary awards specified in a new Intelligence Community Directive (pdf).

"It is the policy of the DNI to recognize and honor all individuals and groups for distinguished service and/or exceptional contributions to the security of the U.S.; the development and execution of the U.S. National Intelligence Strategy and its various implementation plans; the integration and transformation of the IC, and/or the accomplishment of its mission;" and so forth.

Awards may range from certificates and "keepsakes" of no monetary value to large financial gifts. Amounts in excess of $25,000 must be approved by the President.

Covert personnel are not permitted to take possession of their awards.

Instead, "the IC element and/or the ODNI retain(s) the award when the individual is covert or a future covert assignment or affiliation is likely."

Intelligence Community Directive 655, entitled "National Intelligence Awards Program," was issued by Directive of National Intelligence Mike McConnell on May 23, 2007.http://fas.org/blog/secrecy/

[blm]

2. Interesting that the same players keep popping up from both Clinton AND Bush

WH, even when the stories seem to be completely unrelated.