Former CIA official in tape probe lawyers up.
Former CIA official in tape probe lawyers up.
The New York Times reports this morning that former CIA Clandestine Operations Director Jose Rodriguez, who ordered the destruction of interrogation videotapes in 2005, has hired one of Washington’s top criminal attorneys, Robert S. Bennett, to represent him in the tape inquiries:
Mr. Rodriguez has hired Robert S. Bennett, a well-known Washington lawyer, to represent him in Congressional and Justice Department inquiries into his handling of the tapes.
Mr. Bennett has represented a number of high-profile clients — among them former President Bill Clinton, Caspar W. Weinberger, the former defense secretary, and Paul D. Wolfowitz, the former deputy defense secretary and World Bank president.
“Mr. Rodriguez has been a loyal public servant for 31 years and has always acted in the best interest of the country,” Mr. Bennett said. “He’s done nothing wrong.”
(HT: TPMmuckraker)
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“He’s done nothing wrong.â€
Except obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:10 pmIf “he’s (Gonzalez) done nothing wrong,” then time will tell it. In the meantime, I think Bennett has his work cut out for him.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:10 pm“Mr. Rodriguez has been a loyal public servant for 31 years and has always acted in the best interest of the country,†Mr. Bennett said. “He’s done nothing wrong.â€
At this rate, all these public servants should start getting bulk rates from the legal profession. It seems that 8 out of 10 loyal bushies are under some sort of legal or ethical cloud.
This one should be fun to watch. I’m glad I have Tivo.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:13 pmHe has always acted in the interests of the Bush crime family, which, by the way, is not US America.
On the other hand,
Leading off is Corporate Greed, batting second is Real Estate Greed, batting third is Bush Crime Family Greed and Batting cleanup is Steroids Cheater Greed…
December 14th, 2007 at 2:13 pmBush needs to “lawyer up” next! His day in court is not far off.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:16 pmIt depends on how you define ‘wrong’…..
December 14th, 2007 at 2:16 pm#4 Bush took roids when he owned the Rangers. Obviously, from the looks of his pathetic physique, he’s not on the juice any more. He’s switched back to the alcoholic kind.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:17 pm“He’s done nothing wrong” – implies what? If he followed bush’s order then he’s done nothing wrong? Or did he do nothing wrong in knowingly breaking the laws about destruction of evidence? I’d say this guy’s defense is a longshot myself as he appears to be bush’s sacrificial lamb. Of course, since the order had to come from thetop of the rotting heap, Bush is involved by association and by ownership of the actions of those under him within his administration. It’s called culpable negligence.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:19 pmcan’t wait to hear this Bushitco’s story.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:20 pmBusy day today since Impeachment is being brought back to the table. One word of advice for Pelosi: Lead or get out of the way so others can lead! Do your job – it’s your responsibility – or step down.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:21 pmHere’s some background info on Jose Rodriquez. Looking at his assignments with the CIA if should be hard for anyone to believe that this guy is squeaky clean. And by the way, I hear Robert S. Bennett doesn’t come cheap either….You tell me…
Jose Rodriguez (intelligence)
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Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. was the Director of the National Clandestine Service (D/NCS) of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. He was the last to serve as the Agency’s Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) before that position was upgraded to D/NCS in December 2004.[1][2] Rodriguez’s record has recently come under scrutiny after the New York Times reported he authorized the destruction of two 2002 CIA interrogation videotapes in 2005.[3] The prisoners, Abu Zubaida and an unnamed detainee, were subject to a program of ‘enhanced’ interrogation techniques which included a procedure called “waterboarding”. Critics allege these methods amount to torture.[4][1]
Contents [hide]
1 Government service
1.1 DDO appointment
1.2 Retirement
2 See also
3 References
4 External links
[edit] Government service
Rodriguez served as military attache to the U.S. Embassy in Argentina from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 1998, Rodriguez was CIA Station chief in Bogotá, Colombia. Rodriguez’s tenure in Colombia was marked by a 1997 incident as he interceded in the drug-related arrest of an associate. According to the New York Times, he was removed from his position and a report by the C.I.A.’s inspector general criticized Mr. Rodriguez for a “remarkable lack of judgment.†[5] He transferred to Mexico City in 1999 where he was the Station chief responsible for approximately 500 CIA assets operating there. Rodriguez was later appointed Chief of the Latin America Division for the Agency’s Directorate of Operations.[6] In May 2002, Rodriguez assumed the post of Director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Center (CTC).
In 2004 Rodriguez advised the organizers of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, including the chief organizer, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, on security matters and counterterrorism.
[edit] DDO appointment
On November 16, 2004, Rodriguez succeeded Stephen Kappes to become the Deputy Director for Operations.[7] Rodriguez continues in his capacity as the head of CIA clandestine operations, now as Director of the National Clandestine Service. In this expanded role, Rodriguez is the chief of all human intelligence gathering (HUMINT) conducted by the U.S. government, including outside agencies. On February 7, 2006, Rodriguez fired Robert Grenier, his successor as Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center, for not being “aggressive” enough in combating terrorism.[8]
[edit] Retirement
On August 8, 2007, the Associated Press reported on Jose Rodriguez’s upcoming retirement. The article mentions his Wikipedia entry having been made prior to the “decloaking” of his identity and that the entry contains “inaccuracies.” He will retire on September 30, 2007 and will be replaced by Michael Sulick.
[edit] See also
December 14th, 2007 at 2:21 pmIntelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act
National Clandestine Service
seize his passport
December 14th, 2007 at 2:34 pmWho is footing the bill for this lawyer? He has to be charging a minimum of $750 an hour plus expenses. I’m estimating it will cost in excess of 300K for his services.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:39 pm“He’s done nothing wrong.”
Yeah. That’s what they ALL say.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:40 pmDoes that leave any Bushies who are NOT lawyered up at this point?
December 14th, 2007 at 2:45 pmWho paid the retainer?
December 14th, 2007 at 2:54 pmBushit.
December 14th, 2007 at 2:56 pmLook… other than obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence, “He’s done nothing wrong.â€
December 14th, 2007 at 3:08 pmIs this going to be his deffence????!!!! “He’s done nothing wrong.â€???????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????? That is going to be a congressional inquire that I can’t wait to see!
December 14th, 2007 at 3:11 pmJose should have hired attorney Al Gonzales or Scooter Libby to represent him in court. Gonzales is Attorney of the Year and Scooter needs the work. Two of the ABA’s best lawyers and example of just how low our Legal System has gone. It’s time for Justice Bush/Cheney to give a DOJ order that no charges can be filed against those who followed White House orders.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:12 pmI keep hearing people say Bob Bennet is one of DC’s finest lawyers, but he always strikes me as the guy who’s always getting beaten up by his brother.
December 14th, 2007 at 3:34 pmThe Gonzo DOJ is still alive….
Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey today sharply rebuffed congressional demands for details about the Justice Department’s inquiry into the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes, saying that providing such information would make it appear that the department was “subject to political influence.”
In letters to the leaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee and others, Mukasey also reiterated his opposition to appointing a special prosecutor to the tapes investigation, saying he was “aware of no facts at present” that would require such a step.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/14/AR2007121401269.html?hpid=topnews
Mukasey may have a conflict of interest problem already, and may have to call upon a Special Prosecutor.
Jose Padilla”s lawyers argued before the Florida Federal Court that Abu Zubaydah was tortured into saying Padilla was an al Qaeda associate. The DOJ dismissed Padilla”s allegations as “meritless,” asserting Padilla”s legal team could not prove that Abu Zubaydah had been tortured. Well, it”s clear now that they certainly COULD have, if the tapes of the interrogations of Abu Zubaydah had been made available!
Now here is where Mukasey”s role comes into question. U.S. District Judge Mukasey, now attorney general, was the one who signed the warrant used by the FBI to arrest Padilla in May 2002. Court records show the warrant relied in part on information obtained from Abu Zubaydah”s interrogation. So we have a problem Houston.
The Attorney General can only issue a warrant based upon legally obtained evidence, and confessions under torture are certainly not “legally obtained”. So either Mukasey was misrepresented the evidence, and would be liable to be potentially a party in those who were presented with “perjured evidence”; or he knew that torture was used in obtaining the confession and ignored it.
In either case he is unsuitable to run an investigation, as it will, inevitably, involved himself. Thus a Special Prosecutor is necessary.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:00 pmBennett should hire some Sufis to show him the real art of spinning…
December 14th, 2007 at 4:10 pmWhy not just lock him up for a couple of years? Each day we could ask if he’s done anything wrong, then waterboard him if he says no. After a couple of years, we can determine he’s done nothing wrong and set him free.
December 14th, 2007 at 4:26 pmAs an American of latin heritage, I am ashamed at both Gonzales and this other traitor.
December 14th, 2007 at 6:59 pmThey have no concept of what an American is. Shameful.
This particular part of Rodriquez’s Bio stands out the most. And more than likely is how he can afford expensive legal representation such as Bennett:
Argentina from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 1998, Rodriguez was CIA Station chief in Bogotá, Colombia. Rodriguez’s tenure in Colombia was marked by a 1997 incident as he interceded in the drug-related arrest of an associate. According to the New York Times, he was removed from his position and a report by the C.I.A.’s inspector general criticized Mr. Rodriguez for a “remarkable lack of judgment.â€
Need I say more…..
December 14th, 2007 at 8:44 pmPerhaps a tangential strike is the best strategy . . . locate someone with a conscience that the administration has yet to identify, or even clerical staff member to shed a little light on this or another debacle that has yet to surface about which Rodriguez knew or with which he was directed to act (or not o act).
He/she might tell the truth out of loyalty or fear. It wouldn’t be the first time. Rodriguez seems like a conscientious man who is now being asked to fall on the Bush sword. Is he/isn’t he? Why should his legacy be tarnished and Bush’s burnished with his blood?
Rodriguez has probably got disgruntaled former employees, itching for an opportunity to tell their tales, write a book before the fact. Information is always more valuable when its fresh out of the can. Such a courageous wistleblower could become an American legend.
December 15th, 2007 at 5:30 am