Thursday, September 20, 2012

Fast & Furious: IG's Report Committee Hearing 4

Tim Walberg, R-Michigan:  Did your office have complete and unfettered access to document?  Horowitz:  Yes I believe so.  We got everything we asked for including personal emails.

Walberg:  You personally reviewed wiretap application?  Were you sick to stomach?  Horowitz:  After I read them I felt that there was more than enough red flags.

Walberg Is Holder agreeable to your recommendations?  Horowitz:  DOJ have indicated supportive of all the IG recommendations.

Trey Goudy: To clarify record.  AG held in contempt because the thwarted attempt sto get document, some of which he in now giving to Committee.


Why did Lanny Breuer forward draft of memo to personal email on Feb 4?  Horowitz:  Breuer said he didn't recall reading it.  Goudy:  Recall is different that I did read it.

9:13:  Issa:  When did the "Good job"  response come?  Hor:  During the drafting.  Issa:  Do you accept that he didn't read it?  Hor:  In review our standard was to put out facts , but didn't feel we could state he knew.  Issa:  Reach conclusion that the should have known?  Hor:  Regardless of if he read it or not, he should have followed up more.  Issa places email and letter traffic into record.

Sandy Adams, R-Florida:  I have LEO background.  What happened to the ATF agency to lose these wiretap protections?  Horowitz:  Don't recall dates but evolving practice to remove practices for a judge to grant wiretap can be provided.

Adams:  What is your impression when people say "cannot recall"?  Hor:  Probably means you were there, for Outlook invites etc.  My hesitation is that sometimes replies to email are somewhat automatic.

Adams:  Your friendship with Breuer?  Hor:  Zero imp[act onmy job on investoigation.

Goudy:  Is investigation still ongoing?  Horowitz:  Yes, pieces.   Goudy:  We havenever asserted AG knew, but that he should have known.  Did you make recommendations to ensure knowledge?  Horowitz:  As Ombudsman, he wants to ensure people come forward.

9:19  Issa:  Asked for documents about ?? before Feb 4.   Hor:  Clearly highly relevant to us.  Issa:  If you subpeona docs and they are not delivered, is that illegal.  Are you persuing criminal charges.,  Hor:  We are considering actions.

Issa:  Many people aware of Wide Reciever, and yet allowed F&F to do the same and more?  Hor:  No action apparent to change practice.

Issa:  Are you concerned about hundreds of people dead?  Is Fed Gov't exposed to damages?  It troubled us very much that so many people knew about it and no one took action, even deputy director Breuer.

Issa:  Breuer said to Issa in Committee that there was nothing wrong only that agents did bad work.  Did he say that to  you?  Hor:  I would have to review notes.

Elijah Cummings, D-Maryland:   My mother said, You can't have motion, commotion, emotion and not results.  This is one of those moments where something must change.  You have painted the picture for us.  I don;'t think Holder likes this picture.  I want to say I was involved in one of those moments where we did something.  (Asks questions about reforms.)


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