Justice Dept. Opens Criminal Probe Of CIA

AG Mukasey's Office Has Begun Investigation Into CIA Destruction Of Interrogation Videos

(CBS/AP)  The Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes and Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey appointed an outside prosecutor to oversee the case.

The CIA acknowledged last month that it destroyed videos of officers using tough interrogation methods while questioning two al Qaeda suspects. The acknowledgment sparked a congressional inquiry and a preliminary investigation by Justice.

The decision to elevate the investigation was based on the results so far of that preliminary investigation.

"The Department's National Security Division has recommended, and I have concluded, that there is a basis for initiating a criminal investigation of this matter, and I have taken steps to begin that investigation," Mukasey said in a statement released Wednesday.

Because of conflicts among the officials who have been conducting the early probe, Mukasey also announced the recusal of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, the District in which the CIA headquarters are located, which would ordinarily conduct the investigation.

Mukasey's statement said that "in order to avoid any possible appearance of a conflict with other matters handled by that office," he would name John Durham, a federal prosecutor in Connecticut, to oversee the case.

Durham has a reputation as one of the nation's most relentless prosecutors. He served as an outside prosecutor overseeing an investigation into the FBI's use of mob informants in Boston and helped send several Connecticut public officials to prison.

White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters, "We continue to support the Attorney General’s investigation into this matter."

"The CIA will of course cooperate fully with this investigation as it has with the others into this matter," agency spokesman Mark Mansfield said.

The CIA has already agreed to open its files to congressional investigators, who have begun reviewing documents at the agency's Virginia headquarters. The House Intelligence Committee has ordered Jose Rodriguez, the former CIA official who directed the tapes be destroyed, to appear at a hearing Jan. 16.

Rodriguez's attorney, Robert S. Bennett, had no comment.

[itchyb-2009]

Criminal investigation. I can''t fathom how many more investigations could/should be initiated on the things we Americans know probably nothing about. Only, of course, after the puppet and puppet master leave office. Again, this goes down and the most disatorous and corrupt administration in the history of our great country.

[excoachken]

Time to let the cover up of the cover up of the cover up begin. How can this clown keep a straight face while lying repeatedly?

[j-whitman]

Let''s just hope the investigation isn''t limited in it''s scope --- They should also be investigating the damage it''s done to our National Security

[quetzal666]

nice... the SHRUB will pardon everyone including congress before leaving office.................

[phd9]

Interesting.

Hopefully they''ll fast track it so the convictions can come in before GW leaves office and can no longer issue pardons.

[formrusmcsgt]

Well, it appears that Justice has quelled any legitimacy whatsoevre to the claims by the neocons here and the White House itself that Congress'' investigation was nothing but partisan politics.

Mukasey stated "The Department''s National Security Division has recommended, and I have concluded, that there is a basis for initiating a criminal investigation of this matter, and I have taken steps to begin that investigation."

That''s about as cut and dried as it gets.

[cincigal74]

Mukasey;"The CIA will cooperate as it has with others in this case."According to an article in today''s New York Times,the CIA did NOT cooperarte with the 9/11 commission in their investigation.In fact they state that The CIA deliberately with held vital information,explicitly requested by the commission.More lies already.This will be another sham conducted by the Bush/Cheney criminal gang,and the spineless congress will fo along with them.

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[hillaryin08]

There is a better chance of the Democrats not funding the war in Iraq than a conviction coming out of this.

[j-whitman]

dougandslug,,, Nope, it''s only one component of national security

[fairandbal]

Interesting.

Hopefully they''''ll fast track it so the convictions can come in before GW leaves office and can no longer issue pardons.

Posted by Phd9 at 03:25 PM : Jan 02, 2008

You mean a conviction AFTER GW is out of office... So he can''t obstruct the investigation by witholding documents and can''t issue pardons.

[roger_inkart]

The Clinton administration did it too!

/conservtive robot troll

[antoniof123]

White House press secretary Dana Perino told reporters, "We continue to support the Attorney General%u2019s investigation into this matter."

Mukasey''s finished he just did the right thing and we can''t have that now can we.

[arthurcl1]

Yes Bush and Cheney should be tried and impeached for their treason and lies to the American People, War in Iraq started with No Weapons of Mass Destruction Found, Lies about Outing a CIA Officer and now Lies about CIA Destroying Tapes!

[jsnyder12-2009]

Re: The Clinton administration did it too!

When was that? I don''t recall the Clinton administration burning CIA tapes showing CIA personnel torturing foreign nationals. Please refresh my memory.

[roger_inkart]

When was that? I don''''t recall the Clinton administration burning CIA tapes showing CIA personnel torturing foreign nationals. Please refresh my memory.

Posted by jsnyder12 at 03:59 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Well, it was actually sarcastic. As most of us know every time this administration is caught out the first response from the brain-dead Bush zealots is to drag Clinton into it, as if that were true and somehow makes their foul deeds ok.

[tejasdemo]

Hurry George Hurry....can you get out of town before the sheriff comes and locks ya up ?

[inventagod]

Halliburton wins the no-bid whitewash contract...

[demwatcher]

All the information on the CIA tapes (and other unreported documents) is located here:

http://republicanleader.house.gov/brokenpromises/p_conclusion.html

[roger_inkart]

Jose Rodriguez had better watch his back and stay off of airplanes until this is all sorted out.

Word is he is looking for a deal, and if he cuts one and starts talking about who directed him to destroy these tapes it could get ugly very quickly.

Thank you conservatives for giving us the worst, most corrupt and incompetent administration in the history of the nation. How about you find other hobbies apart from politics? I hear crossword puzzles and video games are quite engaging. And you won''t ruin the nation in the process.

[pensacola88]

We went through this before with the Oliver North Hearings. This time it is Jose Rodriguez.

The country needs to watch what happens in other forums while the attention is drawn to this investigation.

[demwatcher]

"When was that? I don''''''''t recall the Clinton administration burning CIA tapes showing CIA personnel torturing foreign nationals. Please refresh my memory.

Posted by jsnyder12 at 03:59 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Well, it was actually sarcastic. As most of us know every time this administration is caught out the first response from the brain-dead Bush zealots is to drag Clinton into it, as if that were true and somehow makes their foul deeds ok.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by roger_inkart at 04:03 PM : Jan 02, 2008"

That''s ''cause he was too busy with:

Filegate 1996.
Monicagate 1998.
Travelgate 1993.
Troopergate (as Gov of Ark).
Pardongate 1999-2001.
The Congessional Office Scandal 1995.
Teamstergate 1996.
White House Coffees and Lincoln Bedroom sales.
CHINAGATE.
Al Gore''s ''no controlling legal authority'' defence on fundraising allegations.
Whitewater.

"Be careful of what you wish for. You just might get it"

Dumbarses. Forgetting your own history again?

[hillaryin08]

There is a better chance of the Democrats not funding the war in Iraq than a inditement coming out of this.

[mudrose-2009]

Jose Rodriguez had better watch his back and stay off of airplanes until this is all sorted out.

Word is he is looking for a deal, and if he cuts one and starts talking about who directed him to destroy these tapes it could get ugly very quickly.

Thank you conservatives for giving us the worst, most corrupt and incompetent administration in the history of the nation. How about you find other hobbies apart from politics? I hear crossword puzzles and video games are quite engaging. And you won''''t ruin the nation in the process.
Posted by roger_inkart

Sorry, but the Clintons ran the worst/corrupt government in the history of the U.S. only the press didn''t report it. This is hanky snot to say the least. Whether he gets on a plane or not doesn''t matter. The tapes are gone and we are none the worse for it. Dimnowits, always making mountains out of mole hills and mole hills out of mountains.

[roger_inkart]

Dumbarses. Forgetting your own history again?

Posted by DemWatcher at 04:21 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Thank you for demonstrating so clearly the bizarre fascination conservative dim-wits like yourself have with the Clinton scandals they invented.

Wow. Doesn''t your tin-foil hat fall off when you''re drinking that conservative kool-aid?

[j-whitman]

DemWatcher,,,, I thought you didn''t get into conspiracy theories ???

[roger_inkart]

Sorry, but the Clintons ran the worst/corrupt government in the history of the U.S. only the press didn''t report it.

Posted by mudrose at 04:23 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Again, this is the conservative mentality: something goes wrong or some ill-deed by the Bush is exposed, drag out the tired and endlessly debunked Clinton ''scandals.'' When asked why none of them led anywhere, they''ll claim a ''librul media'' conspiracy.

[usayesterday]

Mukasey is confused...

First he was confronted with waterboarding and whether that is considered torture (duh!).

Now, this CIA tape destruction thingy...

Will Mukasey be able to determine whether destroying tapes is illegal?

Only time will tell!

[demwatcher]

We do not list Bill Clinton''s sins against America to justify President Bush.

We list Bill Clinton''s sins against America because you Democraps want to rewrite history and claim that you boy was actually a good leader.

The proof is that Bill Clinton''s administration was crapola. It has been documented time after time after time. Yet, ya''ll show your ignorance by bashing President Bush for actions similar to what your boy did while you gave ol'' Billy a pass.

Just keeping it fair, boys! If you can''t take it, tough! Your still gonna get it. There''s tons of documentation out there on your boy. Bash President Bush, and we''ll bash Billy.

You know the ending statement by now, so I''ll give ya''ll a break for once.

[j-whitman]

mudnose,,,, So your logic is,, "If Clinton looked bad,, Bush can look worst" ??--- Maybe,, "If Clinton could a BJ,, Bush can destroy our national security" ????

[mudrose-2009]

Sorry, but the Clintons ran the worst/corrupt government in the history of the U.S. only the press didn''''t report it.

Posted by mudrose at 04:23 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Again, this is the conservative mentality: something goes wrong or some ill-deed by the Bush is exposed, drag out the tired and endlessly debunked Clinton ''''scandals.'''' When asked why none of them led anywhere, they''''ll claim a ''''librul media'''' conspiracy.
Posted by roger_inkart

Look fella, the Clinton scandals were and still are very real. The endless parade of made up theatre by the Dimnowit Congress is just a long string of Bush Derangement Syndrome. Ya just keep on hoping you''ll find something. Destroying tapes on two mongrols who conspired to kill U.S. Citizens in my book doesn''t constitute a scandal. It what you all so sorely prayed for - the protection of CIA covert agents. Isn''t that what your bag of ***** was about Plame? Big difference when it comes to the real thing. Scandal my azz. Only more theatre.

[usayesterday]

Posted by mudrose at 04:23 PM : Jan 02, 2008
...........

The "media" didn''t appoint Kenneth Star as the independent prosecutor. You might want to ask Kenny boy why he wasn''t able to find any illegal acts other than a stupid act of Billy getting a BJ from a whale (Monica).

[beehive21-2009]

What BS,the justice dept.Where they been? Halliburton ? DEA,EPA,CIA,I''m confused,we thought the CIA was the justice dept ? Abolish the DEA and EPA however keep the CIA,we may need some trouble makers tighten up.

[roger_inkart]

The proof is that Bill Clinton''''s administration was crapola.

Posted by DemWatcher at 04:29 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Proof? To who? Measured how and by what judge? A hyper-partisan conservative like yourself who engages in laughable conspiracy theories? Please, don''t flatter yourself into thinking your opinion on the matter means anything to anyone other then your fellow right-wing crackpots.

[usayesterday]

Posted by mudrose at 04:23 PM : Jan 02, 2008
...........

The "media" didn''''t appoint Kenneth Star as the independent prosecutor. You might want to ask Kenny boy why he wasn''''t able to find any illegal acts other than a stupid act of Billy getting a BJ from a whale (Monica).

Posted by USAyesterday at 04:32 PM : Jan 02, 2008
.............

...with the exception of lying under oath. That of course is a crime. But which politician "under oath" hasn''t committed perjury?!...

..."I can''t recall".

I rest my case.

[sammiers]

This is crazy we are going to spend all this money into an investigation on tactics used against THE ENEMY to get information to PROTECT US.

The tapes should have been destroyed and these tactics should be used, we got the information we needed.

[j-whitman]

mudnose --- Clinton didn''t get 4,000 Amrericans killed nor ignore what would have stopped the loss of our World Trade Center ---- That was Bush

[roger_inkart]

Look fella, the Clinton scandals were and still are very real.
Posted by mudrose at 04:32 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Yes, to hyper-partisan rightwing hacks painted into a corner by a reckless, idiotic and corrupt Republican president named GW Bush.

If you had any character or sense of accountability you''d own up to the crimes of one of your own. Instead you attack Clinton with bogus conspiracies. You people are shameless.

[mudrose-2009]

The "media" didn''''''''t appoint Kenneth Star as the independent prosecutor. You might want to ask Kenny boy why he wasn''''''''t able to find any illegal acts other than a stupid act of Billy getting a BJ from a whale (Monica).

Posted by USAyesterday at 04:32 PM : Jan 02, 2008
.............

...with the exception of lying under oath. That of course is a crime. But which politician "under oath" hasn''''t committed perjury?!...

..."I can''''t recall".

I rest my case.
Posted by USAyesterday

Janet Reno appointed Ken Starr. You know that incompetent ole hag, right. The only thing they found on Clinton is that he lied? Really? Wow and the s.o.b. stayed in the WH even after he was impeached. And here the CIA destroys tapes to protect its agents and you equate that with the lump of ***** the occupied our WH? Get real. The Clintons were able to get Obama''s kindergarten records and you don''t think they don''t know how to cover their tracks. Hahaha.

[mudrose-2009]

Posted by roger_inkart

Rinkydink it always amuses me when the kettle calls the pot black. The Dimnowits have no character. They showed their lack of it in the Clintons, in Pewlosi and President Harry. They bow to the voices of the left wing radicals, take their talking points from MoveOn and George Soros and are so skewed to the left they fell off the map. The little lefties like Edwards are down right Communists. They aim to take down this country and they will use your dimwits to do it. I spit on the likes of people like you and their so-called righteousness. Bush Derangement Syndrome junkies.

[j-whitman]

mudnose,,, You fell off the tomatoe truck again -- Clinton hasn''t been if office for over 7 years

[roger_inkart]

The Clintons were able to get Obama''s kindergarten records and you don''t think they don''t know how to cover their tracks. Hahaha.

Posted by mudrose at 04:38 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Yes, yes, everything in the world is the Clinton''s fault and nothing is Dubya''s. As I said before:

''Clinton administration did it too!''

- Conservative robot troll

[j-whitman]

mudnose,,,, Get back into your closet, Lars needs company

[roger_inkart]

Bush Derangement Syndrome junkies.

Posted by mudrose at 04:41 PM : Jan 02, 2008

Oh, but your clear obsession with Clinton is somehow patriotic and noble? No derangement there, huh? Even though the guy hasn''t been in office for some 7 years?

Look in the mirror before you toss around these accusations.

[abdoul_pasha]

Mudrose, The offer is still valid!

[j-whitman]

mudnose,,,, Wrong again --- All the evidence was on the desk that Ossama Bin Laden was going to use aircraft to attack ----- Everyone in this White House knew it -------- One phone call to crack down on security would have prevented 9/11

[mcvet]

Rinkydink it always amuses me when the kettle calls the pot black. The Dimnowits have no character. They showed their lack of it in the Clintons, in Pewlosi and President Harry. They bow to the voices of the left wing radicals, take their talking points from MoveOn and George Soros and are so skewed to the left they fell off the map. The little lefties like Edwards are down right Communists. They aim to take down this country and they will use your dimwits to do it. I spit on the likes of people like you and their so-called righteousness. Bush Derangement Syndrome junkies.


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Posted by mudrose at 04:41 PM : Jan 02, 2008
+ report abuse

Do you teach Fascism at the local Nazi Youth Camp? I''ve never seen a better example of basic FASCISM than you present. Because Democrats and I must add some HONEST Republican''s found that the trumped up charges against president Clinton did NOT meet the level necessary to Impeach and remove a President you find them lacking. Then you go into full fascist mode... attacking them and trying to attack every democrat to your hate target. Well done!! Of course it''s a LIE but hey you don''t care about that little detail do you!! For that Mud you get a BIG SIEG HEIL and I promise to send a copy of this to the local University as an example of modern day FASCISM... Third Reich Style.

[cdfoxtrot]

Another bul1sh1t "investigation" that is a device to drag things out until the media and the public tire of the issue. Watch for the conclusion, in six or eight months, that no laws were broken or there''s "insufficient evidence" and no-one will be punished. A bit like the bogus "investigations" the US and Israeli armies do when their soldiers get caught doing things they''re not meant to. If they were serious about "investigating", an independent prosecutor and/or independent panel would be appointed. But they''re not.

[itchyb-2009]

The pathetic bush apologists can do no more than drag up some clinton transgression, which did occur, and compare them with the outrageous stupidity, illegal activities (would anyone care to list all of these?) of the bush administration. If Clinton is your benchmark for comparing administrations, you have your head way up your azzes.

[mcvet]

Clinton got more than 4,000 people killed. Make it close to 7,000 with WTC II, Pentagon and Pennsylvania. You can thank him for the mess Bush had to clean up.


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Posted by mudrose at 04:43 PM : Jan 02, 2008
+ report abuse


Mud YOU have got to stay away from the Kool Aid!! Where are those who attacked the WTC on Clinton''s watch? Now where are those responsible for the attack of the WTC on 9/11? Yeah that''s right swastika breath, THEY are responsible for the death of the Pakistan Leader... you know the Country that REALLY does have a Nuke!! ROFLMAO Maybe in your small and insignificant little mind that''s success... LOL But to most of us you look like a simple minded Bootlicker who is putting your Party ahead of your Country. Sieg Heil Bush!!!