Hillary Clinton camp: Email 'thumb drive is secure'

[Valin]

Politico:

The device has copies of emails Clinton kept on a private server while Secretary of State.

Rachael Bade and Josh Gerstein

7/30/15

 

Hillary Clinton’s private lawyer has a thumb drive containing classified information from as many as five U.S. intelligence agencies — but the State Department told POLITICO the law firm is taking “appropriate measures” to secure the files.

 

The agency declined to detail steps made to protect the sensitive information in attorney David Kendall’s possession, but the issue is raising concern among Republicans on Capitol Hill who’ve criticized Clinton’s handling of the email controversy. The thumb drive has copies of emails Clinton kept on a private server while she served as secretary of state, a trove now known to contain classified documents.

 

The agency told POLITICO that Clinton “does have counsel with clearance.” Kendall, a prominent Williams & Connolly attorney who defended former CIA director David Petraeus against charges of mishandling classified information, declined to comment.

 

Clinton’s campaign echoed the State Department.

 

“The thumb drive is secure,” said Nick Merrill, a spokesman for the Democratic front-runner’s presidential campaign, referring questions to state.

 

 

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSQGlsG470o

 

 

[Valin]

Classified info on Clinton server, thumb drive violation of law, national security lawyer says
Catherine Herridge

July 31, 2015

 

Classified emails on Hillary Clinton's personal server, and a back-up copy on a thumb drive held by her lawyer David Kendall, appear to be a violation of the U.S. code governing the unlawful removal and storage of classified information, according to a leading national security lawyer.

 

"In most situations like this you'd expect that a warrant would be issued and that the Marshals and the feds -- FBI, somebody would go and get that thumb drive and take it somewhere where it would be considered safe by the government," said Edward MacMahon Jr., an attorney who has handled major national security cases including the leak investigation of former CIA officer Jeffrey Sterling.

 

Under 18 USC 1924, the unlawful removal and storage of classified information is described as when a person "knowingly removes such documents or materials without authority and with the intent to retain such documents or materials at an unauthorized location." The law sets punishment of a fine or prison term of "not more than one year."

 

Attorney General Loretta Lynch made no commitment Friday to secure the classified information. "The inspectors general for the State Department and at least one other IG are reviewing how material was handled," she said. "We will review it as we review all referrals to us and take whatever steps are appropriate, if any, at this time."

 

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