DeLay probe has pitfalls for both sides (immunity, witnesses, documents)

[rainbow4321]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/3163237

<snip>

House investigators will face their own challenges, including the need to work around a federal criminal investigation that could limit their access to witnesses and documents.

But even an outside counsel could find it tough to delve too deeply into the case without colliding with FBI agents and federal prosecutors who are investigating Abramoff.

Witnesses like Abramoff likely could not receive any form of immunity to testify by the committee without compromising the federal investigation. That lesson was learned when some convictions in the Iran-Contra scandal were overturned by federal courts because congressional immunity had been given to those convicted.

Still, DeLay has reason to be nervous, experts said. "These investigations have a habit of taking on a life of their own," said Noble. "That must worry DeLay."

[onehandle]

1. Great!

Let the investigations, testimonies, and trials last until November 2006.

Bring it on, Fuckers!

[Rose Siding]

2. The dems have to hold out for an outside counsel

to handle the investigation. Otherwise, the ethics committee staff will handle the whole thing.

snip>
Stanley Brand, a former House counsel under Democratic Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill, said an outside counsel would aggressively delve into whether DeLay knowingly took prohibited gifts of travel from lobbyist Jack Abramoff and others. "The committee's counsel will have the right to subpoena any witness or documents relevant to the charges," he said.

Critics say letting the committee staff probe the charges with a narrow mandate limiting their inquiries would be an obvious whitewash.