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In reply to the discussion: The AP's being investigated by a grand jury for who they coordinated with in Congress over the leak. [View all]leveymg
(36,418 posts)83. It's possible there's a sealed indictment that may have sealed records including subpoenas (Rule 6).
I've looked at Rule 6(e)(3) of Federal Criminal Procedure several times, and I do not see the exception to the rule that a GJ witness may disclose his knowledge of the proceedings. However, I think what you are referring to is "Rule 6."
6(b)(2)(A) states that no secrecy may be imposed in a Grand Jury except upon jurors, court personnel, and gov't lawyers. That is restated in Chapter 2 of the DOJ Grand Jury Manual, as follows: http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/guidelines/206584.htm
K. Non-Disclosure Orders
Restrictions on witnesses
Witnesses may not be put under any obligation of secrecy because Rule 6(e) specifically prohibits any obligation of secrecy from being "imposed on any person except in accordance with this rule."
173) Consequently, witnesses are free to discuss their testimony with their own counsel, counsel for potential targets or anyone else they so choose. In appropriate circumstances, the grand jury foreman or the Government attorney may request that a witness not make any unnecessary disclosures because of possible interference with the investigation. However, when making such a request, it should be extremely clear that it is a request only and not a command and that the person making the request uses no express or implied coercion.
Restrictions on witnesses
Witnesses may not be put under any obligation of secrecy because Rule 6(e) specifically prohibits any obligation of secrecy from being "imposed on any person except in accordance with this rule."
6(b)(4), however, dealing with sealed indictments imposes secrecy requirements on persons but that relates only to disclosure of the existence of the indictment until the subject is in custody or released. Related to this, Rule 6 -- 6(b)(6) -- states that records of a sealed indictment, including subpoenas, may also be sealed (made secret). See, below. It may be possible that if a sealed indictment has already been returned, further subpoenas and testimony could also be sealed. However, witnesses would be free to talk about receipt of such a sealed subpoena, to coin that term.
Here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp/rule_6
(e) Recording and Disclosing the Proceedings.
(1) Recording the Proceedings. Except while the grand jury is deliberating or voting, all proceedings must be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device. But the validity of a prosecution is not affected by the unintentional failure to make a recording. Unless the court orders otherwise, an attorney for the government will retain control of the recording, the reporter's notes, and any transcript prepared from those notes.
(2) Secrecy.
(A) No obligation of secrecy may be imposed on any person except in accordance with Rule 6(e)(2)(B).
(B) Unless these rules provide otherwise, the following persons must not disclose a matter occurring before the grand jury:
(i) a grand juror;
(ii) an interpreter;
(iii) a court reporter;
(iv) an operator of a recording device;
(v) a person who transcribes recorded testimony;
(vi) an attorney for the government; or
(vii) a person to whom disclosure is made under Rule 6(e)(3)(A)(ii) or (iii).
(3) Exceptions.
(A) Disclosure of a grand-jury matterother than the grand jury's deliberations or any grand juror's votemay be made to:
(i) an attorney for the government for use in performing that attorney's duty;
(ii) any government personnelincluding those of a state, state subdivision, Indian tribe, or foreign governmentthat an attorney for the government considers necessary to assist in performing that attorney's duty to enforce federal criminal law; or
(iii) a person authorized by 18 U.S.C. §3322.
(B) A person to whom information is disclosed under Rule 6(e)(3)(A)(ii) may use that information only to assist an attorney for the government in performing that attorney's duty to enforce federal criminal law. An attorney for the government must promptly provide the court that impaneled the grand jury with the names of all persons to whom a disclosure has been made, and must certify that the attorney has advised those persons of their obligation of secrecy under this rule.
(C) An attorney for the government may disclose any grand-jury matter to another federal grand jury.
(D) An attorney for the government may disclose any grand-jury matter involving foreign intelligence, counterintelligence (as defined in 50 U.S.C. §401a), or foreign intelligence information (as defined in Rule 6(e)(3)(D)(iii)) to any federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official to assist the official receiving the information in the performance of that official's duties. An attorney for the government may also disclose any grand-jury matter involving, within the United States or elsewhere, a threat of attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or its agent, a threat of domestic or international sabotage or terrorism, or clandestine intelligence gathering activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by its agent, to any appropriate federal, state, state subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official, for the purpose of preventing or responding to such threat or activities.
(i) Any official who receives information under Rule 6(e)(3)(D) may use the information only as necessary in the conduct of that person's official duties subject to any limitations on the unauthorized disclosure of such information. Any state, state subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official who receives information under Rule 6(e)(3)(D) may use the information only in a manner consistent with any guidelines issued by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence.
(ii) Within a reasonable time after disclosure is made underRule 6(e)(3)(D), an attorney for the government must file, under seal, a notice with the court in the district where the grand jury convened stating that such information was disclosed and the departments, agencies, or entities to which the disclosure was made.
(iii) As used in Rule 6(e)(3)(D), the term foreign intelligence information means:
(a) information, whether or not it concerns a United States person, that relates to the ability of the United States to protect against
actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or its agent;
sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or its agent; or
clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by its agent; or
(b) information, whether or not it concerns a United States person, with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to
the national defense or the security of the United States; or
the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.
(E) The court may authorize disclosureat a time, in a manner, and subject to any other conditions that it directsof a grand-jury matter:
(i) preliminarily to or in connection with a judicial proceeding;
(ii) at the request of a defendant who shows that a ground may exist to dismiss the indictment because of a matter that occurred before the grand jury;
(iii) at the request of the government, when sought by a foreign court or prosecutor for use in an official criminal investigation;
(iv) at the request of the government if it shows that the matter may disclose a violation of State, Indian tribal, or foreign criminal law, as long as the disclosure is to an appropriate state, state-subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official for the purpose of enforcing that law; or
(v) at the request of the government if it shows that the matter may disclose a violation of military criminal law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as long as the disclosure is to an appropriate military official for the purpose of enforcing that law.
(F) A petition to disclose a grand-jury matter under Rule 6(e)(3)(E)(i) must be filed in the district where the grand jury convened. Unless the hearing is ex parteas it may be when the government is the petitionerthe petitioner must serve the petition on, and the court must afford a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard to:
(i) an attorney for the government;
(ii) the parties to the judicial proceeding; and
(iii) any other person whom the court may designate.
(G) If the petition to disclose arises out of a judicial proceeding in another district, the petitioned court must transfer the petition to the other court unless the petitioned court can reasonably determine whether disclosure is proper. If the petitioned court decides to transfer, it must send to the transferee court the material sought to be disclosed, if feasible, and a written evaluation of the need for continued grand-jury secrecy. The transferee court must afford those persons identified in Rule 6(e)(3)(F) a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard.
(4) Sealed Indictment. The magistrate judge to whom an indictment is returned may direct that the indictment be kept secret until the defendant is in custody or has been released pending trial. The clerk must then seal the indictment, and no person may disclose the indictment's existence except as necessary to issue or execute a warrant or summons.
(5) Closed Hearing. Subject to any right to an open hearing in a contempt proceeding, the court must close any hearing to the extent necessary to prevent disclosure of a matter occurring before a grand jury.
(6) Sealed Records. Records, orders, and subpoenas relating to grand-jury proceedings must be kept under seal to the extent and as long as necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of a matter occurring before a grand jury.
(7) Contempt. A knowing violation of Rule 6, or of any guidelines jointly issued by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence under Rule 6, may be punished as a contempt of court.
(f) Indictment and Return. A grand jury may indict only if at least 12 jurors concur. The grand juryor its foreperson or deputy forepersonmust return the indictment to a magistrate judge in open court
(1) Recording the Proceedings. Except while the grand jury is deliberating or voting, all proceedings must be recorded by a court reporter or by a suitable recording device. But the validity of a prosecution is not affected by the unintentional failure to make a recording. Unless the court orders otherwise, an attorney for the government will retain control of the recording, the reporter's notes, and any transcript prepared from those notes.
(2) Secrecy.
(A) No obligation of secrecy may be imposed on any person except in accordance with Rule 6(e)(2)(B).
(B) Unless these rules provide otherwise, the following persons must not disclose a matter occurring before the grand jury:
(i) a grand juror;
(ii) an interpreter;
(iii) a court reporter;
(iv) an operator of a recording device;
(v) a person who transcribes recorded testimony;
(vi) an attorney for the government; or
(vii) a person to whom disclosure is made under Rule 6(e)(3)(A)(ii) or (iii).
(3) Exceptions.
(A) Disclosure of a grand-jury matterother than the grand jury's deliberations or any grand juror's votemay be made to:
(i) an attorney for the government for use in performing that attorney's duty;
(ii) any government personnelincluding those of a state, state subdivision, Indian tribe, or foreign governmentthat an attorney for the government considers necessary to assist in performing that attorney's duty to enforce federal criminal law; or
(iii) a person authorized by 18 U.S.C. §3322.
(B) A person to whom information is disclosed under Rule 6(e)(3)(A)(ii) may use that information only to assist an attorney for the government in performing that attorney's duty to enforce federal criminal law. An attorney for the government must promptly provide the court that impaneled the grand jury with the names of all persons to whom a disclosure has been made, and must certify that the attorney has advised those persons of their obligation of secrecy under this rule.
(C) An attorney for the government may disclose any grand-jury matter to another federal grand jury.
(D) An attorney for the government may disclose any grand-jury matter involving foreign intelligence, counterintelligence (as defined in 50 U.S.C. §401a), or foreign intelligence information (as defined in Rule 6(e)(3)(D)(iii)) to any federal law enforcement, intelligence, protective, immigration, national defense, or national security official to assist the official receiving the information in the performance of that official's duties. An attorney for the government may also disclose any grand-jury matter involving, within the United States or elsewhere, a threat of attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or its agent, a threat of domestic or international sabotage or terrorism, or clandestine intelligence gathering activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by its agent, to any appropriate federal, state, state subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official, for the purpose of preventing or responding to such threat or activities.
(i) Any official who receives information under Rule 6(e)(3)(D) may use the information only as necessary in the conduct of that person's official duties subject to any limitations on the unauthorized disclosure of such information. Any state, state subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official who receives information under Rule 6(e)(3)(D) may use the information only in a manner consistent with any guidelines issued by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence.
(ii) Within a reasonable time after disclosure is made underRule 6(e)(3)(D), an attorney for the government must file, under seal, a notice with the court in the district where the grand jury convened stating that such information was disclosed and the departments, agencies, or entities to which the disclosure was made.
(iii) As used in Rule 6(e)(3)(D), the term foreign intelligence information means:
(a) information, whether or not it concerns a United States person, that relates to the ability of the United States to protect against
actual or potential attack or other grave hostile acts of a foreign power or its agent;
sabotage or international terrorism by a foreign power or its agent; or
clandestine intelligence activities by an intelligence service or network of a foreign power or by its agent; or
(b) information, whether or not it concerns a United States person, with respect to a foreign power or foreign territory that relates to
the national defense or the security of the United States; or
the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States.
(E) The court may authorize disclosureat a time, in a manner, and subject to any other conditions that it directsof a grand-jury matter:
(i) preliminarily to or in connection with a judicial proceeding;
(ii) at the request of a defendant who shows that a ground may exist to dismiss the indictment because of a matter that occurred before the grand jury;
(iii) at the request of the government, when sought by a foreign court or prosecutor for use in an official criminal investigation;
(iv) at the request of the government if it shows that the matter may disclose a violation of State, Indian tribal, or foreign criminal law, as long as the disclosure is to an appropriate state, state-subdivision, Indian tribal, or foreign government official for the purpose of enforcing that law; or
(v) at the request of the government if it shows that the matter may disclose a violation of military criminal law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, as long as the disclosure is to an appropriate military official for the purpose of enforcing that law.
(F) A petition to disclose a grand-jury matter under Rule 6(e)(3)(E)(i) must be filed in the district where the grand jury convened. Unless the hearing is ex parteas it may be when the government is the petitionerthe petitioner must serve the petition on, and the court must afford a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard to:
(i) an attorney for the government;
(ii) the parties to the judicial proceeding; and
(iii) any other person whom the court may designate.
(G) If the petition to disclose arises out of a judicial proceeding in another district, the petitioned court must transfer the petition to the other court unless the petitioned court can reasonably determine whether disclosure is proper. If the petitioned court decides to transfer, it must send to the transferee court the material sought to be disclosed, if feasible, and a written evaluation of the need for continued grand-jury secrecy. The transferee court must afford those persons identified in Rule 6(e)(3)(F) a reasonable opportunity to appear and be heard.
(4) Sealed Indictment. The magistrate judge to whom an indictment is returned may direct that the indictment be kept secret until the defendant is in custody or has been released pending trial. The clerk must then seal the indictment, and no person may disclose the indictment's existence except as necessary to issue or execute a warrant or summons.
(5) Closed Hearing. Subject to any right to an open hearing in a contempt proceeding, the court must close any hearing to the extent necessary to prevent disclosure of a matter occurring before a grand jury.
(6) Sealed Records. Records, orders, and subpoenas relating to grand-jury proceedings must be kept under seal to the extent and as long as necessary to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of a matter occurring before a grand jury.
(7) Contempt. A knowing violation of Rule 6, or of any guidelines jointly issued by the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence under Rule 6, may be punished as a contempt of court.
(f) Indictment and Return. A grand jury may indict only if at least 12 jurors concur. The grand juryor its foreperson or deputy forepersonmust return the indictment to a magistrate judge in open court
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The AP's being investigated by a grand jury for who they coordinated with in Congress over the leak. [View all]
msanthrope
May 2013
OP
This is going to circle right back to a Republican leaking classified information, yet once again.
Ikonoklast
May 2013
#1
The House of Reps AP phone wasn't subpoenaed for nothing...and why won't they release the 'letter?'
msanthrope
May 2013
#4
I am starting to wonder when the Republicans in Congress will start screaming in unison
Ikonoklast
May 2013
#7
Here's something interesting--it wasn't done by National Security Letter....
msanthrope
May 2013
#19
No Patriot Act or NDAA--plain old DC grand jury....and here's the thing on the letter
msanthrope
May 2013
#24
Yep. I'm willing bet there are some Republican undies getting fudged right about now.
Ikonoklast
May 2013
#29
Yep. And the MSM will suddenly decide this story isn't "news worthy". n/t
bushisanidiot
May 2013
#38
I think you got it - all with due process - AP's cred will go down with the pubbies.
freshwest
May 2013
#128
Well, if I was an investigative journalist, I might ask why a major news organization
msanthrope
May 2013
#6
It will show just how far in the tank the AP is for them, sucking up to Republicans
Ikonoklast
May 2013
#9
Yes--on the rest of thread there is a bit of a debate about that. I would like it answered, and
msanthrope
May 2013
#133
You know, we have investigative journalists on this board. I want some answers. nt
msanthrope
May 2013
#11
I have a confession--dyslexia forces me to use the spell check. When I don't,
msanthrope
May 2013
#33
The bad economy, the failure of Occupy, etc. has made for some understandable disgruntlement, IMO.
randome
May 2013
#26
This is one of those scenarios in which I think I know only 50% of the relevant information
LanternWaste
May 2013
#16
Facts are good, and one might wonder why the AP isn't showing a major one---the
msanthrope
May 2013
#22
The letter from the government to the AP would have the code section under which
msanthrope
May 2013
#27
OP claims "letter" is actually a Grand Jury Subpoena in a nat'l security case. Says AP can't
leveymg
May 2013
#36
Well, wait a second--has the AP said it isn't legally releaseable? Why are they being
msanthrope
May 2013
#45
Ah, but gang of 8 means the Majority and Minority Leaders plus Chair and Ranking Members of Intel Co
hedda_foil
May 2013
#95
Somehow, I don't see Boehner in that role, but Cantor? Wouldn't surprise me. n/t
winter is coming
May 2013
#109
They could redact it or they could state it is a GJ matter. Or they could say they can't say.
randome
May 2013
#52
I believe the OP is incorrect. Fed Rule of Cr P 6(e) states that a witness can reveal info re FedGJ
leveymg
May 2013
#64
Here's the AP email address: info@ap.org. Unless someone knows of a better one.
randome
May 2013
#28
I'm trying to find Gary Pruitt's...there's a 2nd letter he's not releasing, and
msanthrope
May 2013
#35
People have worked themselves into such a conspiracy frenzy about this President
Voice for Peace
May 2013
#49
Let's hope this tidbit settles down all the freakazoids calling for Holder's head
railsback
May 2013
#47
More interesting is the role of the AP in this--if the leaker is a Republican, then
msanthrope
May 2013
#53
Looks like a vaible timeline, and points directly at a Republican operation.
Ikonoklast
May 2013
#60
Between this and the story about the Repubs deliberately falsifying emails re: Benghazi
Number23
May 2013
#70
I am giving this a standing ovation. Very good news that is fit to print!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anansi1171
May 2013
#57
OP- Please cite a source for your claim that a subpoenaed witness cannot publish an subpoena
leveymg
May 2013
#63
It's possible there's a sealed indictment that may have sealed records including subpoenas (Rule 6).
leveymg
May 2013
#83
If there's a sealed indictment, the subpoenas may also be sealed. The witness can talk about their
leveymg
May 2013
#106
You're conflating a few different things ...but again, why haven't they published?
msanthrope
May 2013
#110
When an indictment is sealed, the court docs - including the subpoenas - normally are, as well.
leveymg
May 2013
#126
Like I said....you are conflating a few different things. But you seem to have conceded the point
msanthrope
May 2013
#134
No...I mean I cannot hotlink off this friggin' phone. If you are in Lexis, though,
msanthrope
May 2013
#146
In addition to the absence of support for such a claim, it seems that there is an absence of
AnotherMcIntosh
May 2013
#68
My dear former IRS lawyer...would you care to look at 6e (3)(B)(5) in the DOJ handbook
msanthrope
May 2013
#74
Then they should be upfront about that -state that they cannot publish because of that reason.
randome
May 2013
#78
Msanthrope, I'd take one of you over 5 dozen of the Hair on Fire Brigade any damn day of the week
Number23
May 2013
#69
The title of the OP makes a concrete claim (AP's being investigated by GJ) then doesn't back it up.
cherokeeprogressive
May 2013
#88
If it's a fact that the AP is the object of a GJ investigation I apologixe.
cherokeeprogressive
May 2013
#92
Actually, thank you for proving my point--where is that letter? They keep referring
msanthrope
May 2013
#105
No, comrade, I am not a "Party official." Seriously, though, I do work for various
msanthrope
May 2013
#137
There are some Party people on this site. I think it's up to them to say who
msanthrope
May 2013
#165
Absolutely no wiretap. This is a subpeona of certain business records, allowed
msanthrope
May 2013
#159
Perhaps we, the public, should start demanding that the AP release the letter. Produce the letter.
Skidmore
May 2013
#148
I remember Romney's smirk when he jumped on the Benghazi event with mostly wrong information. nt
patrice
May 2013
#155