TPM reader suggesting * commited FELONY re: keeping aides from reponding to subpoena!

[ourbluenation]

Felony
Very interesting...any lawyers here?

07.11.07 -- 5:15PM
By Josh Marshall

Hmmm. A very knowledgeable emailer says it's a felony ...

Invoking a privilege is one thing, but telling a person not to show up in response to a subpoena -- if only to actually invoke the privilege -- is quite another. It's not just worse, it's a felony under federal criminal law. See for yourself.

18 U.S.C. Sec. 1505 : ... Whoever corruptly ... influences, obstructs, or impedes ... the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress ... shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years ... or both.

18 U.S.C. Sec. 1515(b): As used in section 1505, the term "corruptly" means acting with an improper purpose, personally or by influencing another, including ... withholding, concealing ... information.

I can't vouch for the legal interpretation. But it seems like decent prima facie case and the emailer knows his stuff.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/015273.php

[ourbluenation]

1. edited to remove weird lines. anyway - this could get interesting.

[0007]

2. Wonder who the e-mailer was? nt

[lonestarnot]

3. Add it to the fucking pile.

[ourbluenation]

4. yeah but this could be a bona fide felony. lawyers, we need du lawyers.

[burrowowl]

5. And if it is Bu$h that

told them to commit a felony ....
IMPEACH ALL OF BU$HCO!