FoxNews.com is reporting that the FBI destroyed laptops belonging to former Hillary Clinton chief of staff Cheryl Mills and ex-campaign staffer Heather Samuelson. The destruction was part of an agreement between the former Clinton aides and the FBI as part of the investigation into Clinton’s use of a private email server.
House Judiciary Chiarman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) is demanding answers from the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) as to why Clinton received such preferential treatment. The fact that the FBI destroyed laptops in an ongoing investigation is troubling. From Fox News:
Judiciary Committee aides told FoxNews.com that the destruction of the laptops is particularly troubling as it means that the computers could not be used as evidence in future legal proceedings, should new information or circumstances arise.
Committee aides also asked why the FBI and DOJ would enter into a voluntary negotiation to begin with, when the laptops could be obtained condition-free via a subpoena.
The letter also asked why the DOJ agreed to limit their search of the laptops to files before Jan. 31, 2015, which would “give up any opportunity to find evidence related to the destruction of evidence or obstruction of justice related to Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.”
Aides expressed shock at the parameter, saying it is especially troubling as Mills and Samuelson already had immunity from the consequences of whatever might be on the laptop.
It seems illogical that the FBI would be so accommodating with Hillary Clinton and her staff during a criminal investigation. Once you consider that the Department of Justice and Loretta Lynch were involved, however, it makes much more sense.
