The FBI never asked Hillary Clinton's top aides to turn over all the computers and smartphones they used while Clinton was secretary of state, an omission that is now triggering questions from Republican lawmakers.
While the FBI made a concerted effort to obtain all the computers that were used as Clinton's private server and ultimately asked two of Clinton's lawyers for laptops used to review her email messages, investigators never requested or demanded all equipment her top staffers used for work purposes during her four years at State, a source familiar with the investigation told POLITICO.
"No one was asked for devices by the FBI," said the source, who requested anonymity.
Even if you have only casually been paying attention to this story you have probably heard one of Trump's surrogates, or a GOP operative, ranting that these discovered e-mails prove that the Clinton camp defied a court order to turn over ALL of their electronic devices during the investigation into Hillary's private server.
But as it turns out there was never a subpoena served nor even an official request made.
The only known official requests Abedin and other Clinton aides appear to have received for their own emails from the period were requests the State Department made last year for potential federal records the aides might have in their possession and requests the House Benghazi Committee made for certain Libya-related records around the same time. In neither instance were the aides asked for their computers , smartphones or backup drives.
In most news reports we learned that Abedin was cooperative during the investigation and there is no reason to suspect otherwise at this point.
And as it turns out even SHE was surprised that e-mails were found on this device:
In another twist to the investigative saga over Hillary Clinton’s private emails, CBS News has learned that Huma Abedin, a top Clinton aide and longtime confidant, says she has no knowledge of any of her emails being on the electronic device belonging to her estranged husband, disgraced ex-congressman Anthony Weiner.
A source familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the computer where FBI investigators found the latest trove of emails belonged to Weiner, not Abedin. The two separated earlier this year, following news of Weiner’s continued sexting practices.
My prediction is that just like every....other....time this is going to prove to be much ado about nothing.
And if all of this really does have an effect on the outcome of this election then James Comey should be investigated fully to determine just how twisted his arm or paid him off to through a wrench into the works.
Source http://ift.tt/2fiFHd5
