Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Income Innovator HubIncome Innovator Hub

Latest News

Judge again turns over Rep. Perry’s phone records to DOJ Jan. 6 probe

A federal judge on Tuesday granted the Justice Department access to nearly 1,700 records recovered from the cellphone of Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) in a long-running legal battle in the criminal investigation of former president Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg of D.C. gave investigators access to 1,659 records and withheld 396 others after a federal appeals court directed him to individually review 2,055 communications from Perry’s phone to decide which were protected by the Constitution’s “speech or debate” clause, which grants members of Congress immunity from criminal investigation when acting in their official capacities.

The FBI seized Perry’s phone in August 2022 under a court order seeking to understand Perry’s involvement in the machinations that were the subject of Trump’s criminal indictment this August for allegedly plotting to prevent President Biden from taking office.

An outline of the contents of Perry’s sensitive discussions with Trump’s legal advisers, aides and others spilled into public view in a quickly withdrawn court filing last month, revealing details of efforts to gain access to secret intelligence about the election, to replace the attorney general with former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and to reverse the department’s finding that Biden had been elected fairly. The filing also described Perry’s discussions with Pennsylvania state officials who supported Trump’s fraud allegations, with private individuals claiming expertise in cybersecurity and with attorneys for Trump’s campaign.

Tuesday’s order will determine which messages investigators with special counsel Jack Smith can actually use as potential evidence in any case, pending an expected renewed appeal by Perry, part of legal fight that has tied up the records for more than a year.

Boasberg took over the case after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in September overturned an order by his predecessor as chief district court judge, Beryl A. Howell, who had rejected Perry’s claim of congressional immunity for more than 90 percent of the 2,219 records he sought to withhold.

Howell ordered Perry to turn over 2,055 text messages, emails and attachments after concluding that they were conducted with individuals in the executive branch or outside the federal government, as part of informal “fact-finding” not authorized by any formal congressional inquiry or committee.

But a three-judge panel said it rejected both Howell’s finding that informal fact finding never qualifies as official legislative business, and Perry’s proposition that it always does.

U.S. Circuit Judges Neomi Rao and Gregory Katsas, both Trump appointees who served in his administration, and judge Karen LeCraft Henderson, an appointee of George H.W. Bush, ordered Boasberg to re-review Perry’s communications to determine which were “an integral part” of Perry’s consideration of legislation or other matters under the House’s jurisdiction.

Unlike Howell, Boasberg pulled back Perry’s communications seeking information about election fraud before Congress’s Jan. 6, 2021, certification vote, and before its vote on proposed legislation to change election procedures and other communications regarding non-election issues pending congressional action.

But Boasberg agreed with Howell that congressional immunity did not shield Perry’s discussions seeking to provide information to or influence the conduct of others outside the government or in the executive branch regarding election fraud, talks about nonlegislative efforts to combat such fraud, his communications about Vice President Mike Pence’s role or what “occurred during the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.”

This post appeared first on The Washington Post

Enter Your Information Below To Receive Latest News, And Articles.

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.
    Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

    You May Also Like

    Editor's Pick

    Source: Ark Invest / Instagram ARK Investment Management, led by prominent investor Cathie Wood, has reduced its holdings in the Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC)...

    Latest News

    A super PAC that has overseen much of Ron DeSantis’s presidential operation has fired its CEO less than two weeks after the previous chief...

    Stock

    Popeyes is expanding its menu beyond chicken sandwiches — and it’s a permanent change this time. The fast-food chain announced Wednesday it’s adding five...

    Latest News

    WINDHAM, N.H. — It’s pouring rain Saturday morning as New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) arrives at Mary Ann’s diner in Windham, fielding calls...

    Disclaimer: Incomeinnovatorhub.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.


    Copyright © 2024 incomeinnovatorhub.com