Politics

It Looks Like The DOJ Official Who Tipped Off Podesta Is Unlikely To Face Legal Consequences

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Justin Caruso Contributor
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Former Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik is unlikely to face any legal consequences for tipping off Clinton campaign manager John Podesta to a release of Hillary’s emails, experts tell the Daily Caller.

Kadzik’s conduct in the DOJ was described by Michael Horowitz’s IG report as constituting “poor judgment.” According to last week’s IG report, Peter Kadzik was trying to get his son hired by the Hillary Clinton campaign while Kadzik himself was part of the investigation into Clinton’s private server.

He also emailed Clinton’s 2016 campaign chair, John Podesta, with a “heads up” on when the some of her emails would be released publicly. (RELATED: DOJ Official Tipped Podesta On Clinton Email Release, Shopped His Son For Campaign Job)

Regarding Kadzik’s conduct, former FBI assistant director Ron Hosko told The Daily Caller, “(B)ased on the findings of the IG, and their analysis, I don’t see Kadzik’s activities as a violation of law.”

“If there were some more affirmative evidence of a covert exchange, a quid pro quo like the passing of sensitive or confidential investigative information in exchange for the employment of Kadzik’s son, or Kadzik trying to influence investigative activity or outcomes coupled with a job request and response, then there might be a claim of bribery or obstruction of justice.”

“Here, though, I think the IG is making the strongest case, one of poor judgment against ethical standards that DOJ employees are expected to adhere to,” he added. “Within the FBI, one could face sanction for poor judgment and creating the appearance of impropriety.  I’d think DOJ would examine this similarly.”

Scott Amey, the general counsel of the watchdog group Project On Government Oversight (POGO), told TheDC, “As a lawyer you have a code of conduct and duty to your client, in this case, the Justice Department.”
“Additionally, government employees have basic obligations of public service, including avoiding conflicts of interest, being impartial, not using public office for private gain, and not sharing non-public information. While the DOJ Inspector General report cites ‘poor judgement,’ Kadzik’s activities appear much to be much more than that, but I’ll guess that the ethics office aren’t very concerned because he is a former government employee.”
Comments provided to TheDC were very lightly edited for clarity.

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