No Hearing for Rodriguez…Yet

by Brian Beutler, The Media Consortium: Tue., Jan 15, 2008
Filed under: War Making and Oversight • Congressional Oversight

Jose Rodriguez, Jr., the former Director of the National Clandestine Service who in 2005, over the alleged objections of then-CIA chief Porter Goss, destroyed two videotaped interrogation and torture sessions, has managed to delay his appearance before the House Intelligence committee. Rodriguez has been subpoenaed by the committee–chaired by Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Tx.)–but is refusing to appear without a grant of immunity. His attorney is conducting negotiations with House counsel, but the delay comes at a time when the congressional inquiry into the destroyed tapes is being stymied on a number of fronts, and when Reyes may not be too excited about the idea of granting immunity. Stay tuned.