Comments (39)

njr wrote on December 14, 2007 11:23 AM:

how in the world?
indeed,
his now, is a small world...

RandyR wrote on December 14, 2007 11:26 AM:

I can't imagine that Bennett is doing this for free, so who is paying?

Everyone needs a good defense but I don't think a half a mil would get him out of this scrape. So who is fronting the cash?

Charlie Riley wrote on December 14, 2007 11:26 AM:

I suspect that he has a little covert backing, which is of course your point.

Strange, that all these executive and cia types, like Gonzales and Rodriguez that "have done nothing wrong" need high powered attorney's before they are ever charged with a crime.

hope4usa wrote on December 14, 2007 11:27 AM:

If you go to Larry Johnson's website, he wrote an article not long ago about many CIA personnel purchasing legal insurance policies. Sorry I don't have the link. The gist of it is, they (CIA personnel) anticipated the lawsuits and bought these policies to protect themselves. Smart wasn't it. If you read Larry's posts you'll see that Rodriquez was hung out to dry before, by the CIA not covering his legal costs during Iran Contra. He's been down this road before. LJ also speculates that Rodriquez covered all of his bases before those tapes were destroyed. Definitely, he has political/documentary cards up his sleeve, more than likely aces.

linda wrote on December 14, 2007 11:29 AM:

hmmmm. i'd be interested in who is financing the defense for jose rodriguez... his cia salary in no way shape or form is even remotely close to covering the bennett law firm tab... hell, i bet it doesn't even cover bennett's lunch tab.

hope4usa wrote on December 14, 2007 11:34 AM:

found the link

http://noquarterusa.net/blog/2007/12/07/torture-tapes/

phred wrote on December 14, 2007 11:40 AM:

Well Libby doesn't need his defense fund anymore, so all his supporters will be free to pony up for their new BFF Jose.

Dr. Crane wrote on December 14, 2007 11:47 AM:

Didn't some profile say he's known for liking "fast cars and fine wines"?

While it's not as exciting as "covert backing," it's also possible he just has a rich spouse or comes from a wealthy family.

John Rogers wrote on December 14, 2007 11:48 AM:

"Rodriquez covered all of his bases before those tapes were destroyed. Definitely, he has political/documentary cards up his sleeve, more than likely aces."

So it probably won't be long before "state secrets" is invoked to make all proceedings secret and seal the records?

Jones Day wrote on December 14, 2007 11:48 AM:

Not everybody who has recently worked at CIA in a top position is poor...

ProDem wrote on December 14, 2007 11:58 AM:

This CIA POS Jose Rodriguez (probably from Miami) doesn't deserve to "get a pass" on this one, but who wants to wager that he doesn't?

cynical jim wrote on December 14, 2007 12:02 PM:

Looks to me to be a shot across the bow to the White House not to mess with him.

Where's the money coming from? That's not important. Will he talk, and name administration names to keep his ass out of jail? What do you think?

ProDem wrote on December 14, 2007 12:02 PM:

And by the way for those who may ask "Where is he getting the money to hire Bennett" it's time to stop being niave. Agents such as Rodriguez are into all kinds of things - believe me they have plenty of CASH!!

Andrew wrote on December 14, 2007 12:14 PM:

How?!?!? That's easy. Did you check out the article yesterday at Daily Kos? Seems a gulf stream jet that is used by the C.I.A. for rendition flights was also used to haul 4-7 tons of cocain. I wonder what the C.I.A. would need all that cocain for?..Hmmmm I also wonder out loud of course where all the profits from the sale of those drugs actually goes? Whose pocket or what agencies slush fund might it go to. Perhaps it's used as a back up legal defense fund when it isn't being used to bribe public officials. Perhaps Mr. Rodriquez has some friends in the right places, because I would find it hard to believe that a public servant could afford that kind of legal power.
Just a thought.

whidbeygrl wrote on December 14, 2007 12:18 PM:

Bennett charges 300 -500 an hour.
Texas lawyer. Defended Enron, Judith Miller.
His brother is William Bennett, former U.S. secretary of education for President Ronald Reagan
( Wiki)

po wrote on December 14, 2007 12:18 PM:

Is it confirmed that he's the one that ordered the destruction or is that just the allegations being raised by WH operatives.

stephen wrote on December 14, 2007 12:20 PM:

Drug Money$$$$$$$$$$

Jose Rodriguez (intelligence)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jose A. Rodriguez, Jr. was the Director of the National Clandestine Service (D/NCS) of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. He was the last to serve as the Agency's Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) before that position was upgraded to D/NCS in December 2004.[1][2] Rodriguez's record has recently come under scrutiny after the New York Times reported he authorized the destruction of two 2002 CIA interrogation videotapes in 2005.[3] The prisoners, Abu Zubaida and an unnamed detainee, were subject to a program of 'enhanced' interrogation techniques which included a procedure called "waterboarding". Critics allege these methods amount to torture.[4][1]

Contents [hide]
1 Government service
1.1 DDO appointment
1.2 Retirement
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Government service
Rodriguez served as military attache to the U.S. Embassy in Argentina from 1994 to 1996. From 1996 to 1998, Rodriguez was CIA Station chief in Bogotá, Colombia. Rodriguez's tenure in Colombia was marked by a 1997 incident as he interceded in the drug-related arrest of an associate. According to the New York Times, he was removed from his position and a report by the C.I.A.’s inspector general criticized Mr. Rodriguez for a “remarkable lack of judgment.” [5] He transferred to Mexico City in 1999 where he was the Station chief responsible for approximately 500 CIA assets operating there. Rodriguez was later appointed Chief of the Latin America Division for the Agency's Directorate of Operations.[6] In May 2002, Rodriguez assumed the post of Director of the CIA's Counterterrorism Center (CTC).

In 2004 Rodriguez advised the organizers of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, including the chief organizer, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, on security matters and counterterrorism.

[edit] DDO appointment
On November 16, 2004, Rodriguez succeeded Stephen Kappes to become the Deputy Director for Operations.[7] Rodriguez continues in his capacity as the head of CIA clandestine operations, now as Director of the National Clandestine Service. In this expanded role, Rodriguez is the chief of all human intelligence gathering (HUMINT) conducted by the U.S. government, including outside agencies. On February 7, 2006, Rodriguez fired Robert Grenier, his successor as Director of the CIA Counterterrorism Center, for not being "aggressive" enough in combating terrorism.[8]

[edit] Retirement
On August 8, 2007, the Associated Press reported on Jose Rodriguez's upcoming retirement. The article mentions his Wikipedia entry having been made prior to the "decloaking" of his identity and that the entry contains "inaccuracies." He will retire on September 30, 2007 and will be replaced by Michael Sulick.

[edit] See also
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act
National Clandestine Service

[edit] References

Anonymous wrote on December 14, 2007 12:24 PM:

What is it about latino's and torture? Remember the Alamo?

Jonkwilliams wrote on December 14, 2007 12:39 PM:

I have it on good authority that Guantanamo inmates are being forced to "write" television reality shows and animated features. The AMPTP then pays into a slush fund for CIA opearatives' legal expenses.

So while this amounts to a far larger cash outlay than the "producers" would otherwise be giving WGA members, AMPTP head head honcho Nick Counter says "Hollywood's corporate captains would rather be in bed with a bunch of torturers than admit writers are responsible for any of the success our industry enjoys. People who think writing isn't fun, incredibly easy, and something to be done just for the love of it obviously deserve to be waterboarded. See, I just wrote an episode of 24 all by myself."

The AMPTP is now looking into ways they might replace SAG members with Iraqi refugees and directors with "Guest Workers" from Mexico.

Jack Linthicum wrote on December 14, 2007 12:47 PM:

He obviously made some very good investments. The Golden Triangle apparently didn't go out of business in 1975.

hope4usa wrote on December 14, 2007 12:47 PM:

Couple of items.
Anonymous: This guy was not involved with the torture, Bush, Rumsfield, Cheney, Tenet were the ones who were directly authorizing it. There is even suspicion that the the cameras were transmitting live. Even the CIA officer directly involved who spoke on the news this week admitted that every single step they took was authorized at the highest levels. So park your racism some place else.

Many of these CIA officers put their life on the line for this country. They are no different than Valerie Plame and deserve your respect, they've earned it. These tapes were probably destroyed to protect lower level cia from the Hague when the real people who belong there are the Bush Cabal.

The military, the intelligence community are THE people who are bringing this out to the public's attention. You would know nothing without their leaking it. They want the public and the Congress to stop Bush and Cheney.

Direct your frustration and anger at the true source of the problem.

linda wrote on December 14, 2007 12:56 PM:

***"Where is he getting the money to hire Bennett" it's time to stop being niave. Agents such as Rodriguez are into all kinds of things - believe me they have plenty of CASH!!***

no kidding. take a look at his previous postings ... colombia, argentina, mexico.

ProDem wrote on December 14, 2007 1:58 PM:

Just a quick comment to hope4usa who said the follwoing:

"Many of these CIA officers put their life on the line for this country. They are no different than Valerie Plame and deserve your respect, they've earned it. These tapes were probably destroyed to protect lower level cia from the Hague when the real people who belong there are the Bush Cabal."

Please DO NOT try and put Valerie Plame in the same catergory as Jose Rodriguez!! Valerie Plame is NOT NOW & NEVER was a criminal, nor did she engage in criminal activity!! Rodriquez knew he was breaking every law in the book!! He deserves to be prosecuted to the FULLEST extent of the law!!

And by the way save the ""Many of these CIA officers put their life on the line for this country" - for somone else!! For agents like Rodriquez that's all bullshit!!

John wrote on December 14, 2007 2:04 PM:

He looks like Sadamn Insane.

Viva Guantánamo!

hope4usa wrote on December 14, 2007 2:13 PM:

Pro Dem

Just curious,

so when you find out that DOJ, CIA and the Whitehouse authorized..which we already know they did, supervised, directly participated in torture and authorized the destruction of this evidence (which I agree is a crime) with a legal opinion attached:

I ask you who is to blame? Congress--who knew about and did nothing?---Justice Department who knew about it and gave legal opinions to authorize it? The Whitehouse who made it happen? or will you merely be happy with chopping off the head of the mid and lower level CIA. Are they really the ones to blame just like at Abu Graib?

Instead of cutting the tail off the snake why not cut off it's head where the fangs are.

You are condemning this man with no information. Remember everyone is assumed innocent until proven guilty. He didn't lie to the federal judges, others before him did, including DOJ.

Dewey wrote on December 14, 2007 3:20 PM:

Take a good look ladies and gents; this is what a traitor looks like. Find out how he funds paying one of the most expensive lawyers in the country.

osage wrote on December 14, 2007 3:27 PM:

Innocent people DON'T buy legal insurance in the event they are held legally accountable for their innocent actions. If they were uncertain that what they were doing was COMPLETELY LEGAL, they SHOULD have REFUSED to do it! I guess all the Germans tried at Nuremberg wished they were legally insured for following Hitler's orders!

LeeAnne wrote on December 14, 2007 4:03 PM:

hey, interesting discussion going on at forum.veracifier.com. Interesting connection to this article.

Larry Johnson wrote on December 14, 2007 4:42 PM:

Actually innocent people do buy liability insurance. In the case of Jose Rodriguez, he had already been burned once in the early days of his career during the Iran/Contra scandal. He found himself being investigated and had to hire a lawyer when he was merely following the directions of DDO Claire George. There have been other instances (just ask Bob Baer) where officers find themselves investigate for doing the job they were asked to do. So go easy on Jose on this one.

michael72 wrote on December 14, 2007 5:11 PM:

the agency takes care of their own don't worry about him.

brent wrote on December 14, 2007 5:24 PM:

What? Why get a lawyer? If the Cheney administration can get away with demolishing the world trade center, killing thousands of innocent, helpless Americans, why would this knucklehead sweat about anything criminal?

Ed A wrote on December 14, 2007 5:24 PM:

Mr. Johnson certainly doesn't need -my- 2 cents to concur that innocent people buy liability insurance. But in any event ... people buy liability insurance for all sorts of reasons (e.g., trustees of non-profit organizations, homeowners, etc.) without necessarily planning or conducting wrongful activities. Just out of curiosity, though, and without knowing -anything- about this guy's actual involvement in anything, it'd be interesting to know what the premium is for potentially defending someone against being a war criminal.

Marvin Meadors wrote on December 14, 2007 6:16 PM:

All the illegalities of the Bushies will keep the high-priced attorneys in work for years to come.

Bikerdude wrote on December 14, 2007 8:20 PM:

What could be worse for an Intelligence Agent, than getting featured in MSM articles? Getting killed, or outed by the President, but other than those two...
The CIA, its agents and many of the generals are being used politically by this self-serving, incompetent, arrogant bush regime. Disgusting...

Rich wrote on December 14, 2007 10:00 PM:

Looks like Jose drew inspiration from John Stossel's mustache.

averageaussie wrote on December 15, 2007 3:29 AM:

Many ranking CIA etc. officials are involved in protecting, trading in and profiting from cocaine, and even more so in heroin and poppy growing in Afghanistan. Where ever there is $s to be made, there is corrupt CIA involvement.

Al in Austex wrote on December 15, 2007 5:04 AM:

There appears to be a certain historical symmetry here/ Otto Reich , Negroponte, Elliot Abrams - many if not all familiar names from other covert illegal activity directed from the Oval Office - Except maybe this time instead of the White House Operators escaping the legal system & the Church Select Committee- just maybe this time the actual wrongdoers -ie the Policy "Deciders" are held accountable.
God Speed to all the career operators that are now helping bring down this corrupt & venal regeime aka Bush 43.
Torture is illegal . Bushcheney will have its day of reckoning.
"These are the days that try Men's Souls" Tom Paine

Richard wrote on December 15, 2007 8:07 PM:

I hate to say it, but this ain't going nowhere.... Rodriguez may be a fall guy, who knows, but the Democrats will only flounder around in their go-nowhere committee meetings. Heck Rodriguez could just claim executive privelege and go on about his business...the Democrats won't do anything. Even if there's a subpoena involved.....what a joke!

bob wrote on December 17, 2007 12:30 PM:

Didn't the government also FUND these insurance policy purchases? I thought that was what made the CIA purchase of this insurance seem especially pernicious.