‘State secrets’ ploy in AT&T case
p2p news / p2pnet: A rarely used state secrets privilege is being used by the US Justice Department to have a lawsuit alleging AT&T improperly handed over massive amounts of phone records to the government, dismissed.
“Deputy Assistant Attorney General Carl Nichols said that AT&T won’t be able to defend itself against the allegations because the government is invoking the secrets privilege, which effectively shuts down any confirmation or denial of allegations in the suit,” says the Chicago Tribune.
“Nichols said such information would empower terrorists and endanger national security.”
Because AT&T can’t present a defense, the suit, filed by Chicago author Studs Terkel among others, must be dismissed, Nichols argued.
AT&T has not confirmed or denied handing over records without a court order, says the story, adding that US district judge Martin Kennelly swill rule at a later date on whether or ot the suit can go forward.
Digg this.
Also See:
Chicago Tribune – Government calls for dismissal of suit over AT&T phone records, July 13, 2006
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July 15th, 2006 at 9:27 am
“Nichols said such information would empower terrorists and endanger national security.”
The perfect hide all legal cloak. Cheney and gang will surely use it to have their (CIA Agent) Plame lawsuit dismissed, even though the actions of Cheney and gang endangered national security. How ironic!