Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

CIA Will Cover Legal Bills for Officers in Inquiry

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2009 9:50 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Leon Panetta couldn't stop the Justice Department's widening inquiry into the CIA's interrogation policies, but the agency's director can make sure his employees don't go broke paying legal fees. The agency will see to it that case officers caught up in the investigation have representation, the Washington Post reports. Most "don't have much money and could go into debt to hire a good lawyer," says one attorney.

Adds a top intelligence official: "Panetta will do everything he can to ensure that anyone who needs legal representation has it, whether they have liability insurance or not. It's a question of fairness. People who did tough jobs for the country won't be left by the side of the road."

CIA Director Leon Panetta speaks with reporters, at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Va.
CIA Director Leon Panetta speaks with reporters, at CIA Headquarters in Langley, Va.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
CIA Director Leon Panetta.
CIA Director Leon Panetta.   (AP Photo/Hector Mata, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Silverbow7
Aug 28, 2009 10:50 AM CDT
I decided to leave out that last part as it was another unresolved issue but newser is to fast for me.
Silverbow7
Aug 28, 2009 10:48 AM CDT
It's the one who gave the order/permission, not the minions who simply obey that need to be brought to justice. we do not expect our leaders to be vicious criminals. The fact that ordinary vicious criminals did the actual wet work is meaningless in the big picture. There will always be those kind around...but it was a surprise to most that our leaders were made of such vile stuff.
Silverbow7
Aug 28, 2009 10:48 AM CDT
It's the one who gave the order/permission, not the minions who simply obey that need to be brought to justice. we do not expect our leaders to be vicious criminals. The fact that ordinary vicious criminals did the actual wet work is meaningless in the big picture. There will always be those kind around...but it was a surprise to most that our leaders were made of such vile stuff. (But not so much after our rights started to disappear.)

 
CIA • torture • Abu Ghraib • legal defense • Leon Panetta • detention • CIA director

More Newser Stories

In Obama White House, Justice Trumps CIA

The White House May Be Trying to Purge Pelosi

Grand Jury Probes CIA in Abu Ghraib's 'Iceman' Killing

Lines Blur in War, Spying

Petraeus in the Running to Head CIA
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne