Fusion GPS Officials Plead the Fifth Rather Than Answer Who Paid for the Trump Dossier

The Salon Hot 25 applauds their brave stance in favor of the First and Fifth Amendments.

Actually, they refused to answer any questions -- but it seems that it's the identity of the patron of the PeePeeParty Dossier that's the secret they're most keen to protect.

Two top officials with Fusion GPS, the company responsible for the creation of the so-called "Trump dossier," appeared before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday, but invoked their Fifth Amendment rights and didn't answer questions, according to a lawyer who represents them.

Peter Fritsch and Thomas Catan, two partners in Fusion GPS, presented themselves to the committee to satisfy a subpoena, but went no further, as was expected.

...

Fusion's lawyer, Josh Levy, called the use of a subpoena an "indignity."

"This disparate treatment is an abuse of power and unethical," Levy continued in a statement. "Nor is it a necessary tool for Congress to use in order to obtain information. Even the Senate Watergate Committee spared witnesses this indignity."

If the DOJ grants them use immunity (that nothing they say can be used against them in court), then this dodgy claim of the Fifth Amendment is taken away from them, and they can be put in jail on contempt for refusing to answer further.

posted by Ace at 07:49 PM

| Access Comments