William Hughes said "I can tell the gentleman there are lots of reasons why I would not want to identify as a prosecutor the subjects or targets of the investigation for a lot of reasons. When you have not completed the investigations, sometimes subjects automatically become targets as you get more information, and you would not want that disclosed, because you are trying to force others to turn state's evidence, as Mr. Rota has done, after he pleaded guilty. I want to say to my colleague, if you want to talk about partisan politics, if I were interested in protecting a Democrat, do you know what I would do? If I were interested in protecting a Democrat who is a target of an investigation, I would do precisely what you are trying to do, because that would be the way to compromise a criminal investigation and have him walk. I cannot believe you want to do that." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordMarch 2, 1994

I can tell the gentleman there are lots of reasons why I would not want to identify as a prosecutor the subjects or targets of the investigation for a lot of reasons. When you have not completed the investigations, sometimes subjects automatically become targets as you get more information, and you would not want that disclosed, because you are trying to force others to turn state's evidence, as Mr. Rota has done, after he pleaded guilty. I want to say to my colleague, if you want to talk about partisan politics, if I were interested in protecting a Democrat, do you know what I would do? If I were interested in protecting a Democrat who is a target of an investigation, I would do precisely what you are trying to do, because that would be the way to compromise a criminal investigation and have him walk. I cannot believe you want to do that.

Said by

William Hughes

Democratic · New Jersey

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the implications of revealing targets in a criminal investigation during a House debate.

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