July 20, 2004

Are those documents in your pants, or are you happy to see me?

Former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger is now under investigation for swiping documents out of the National Archives. The documents in question related to the investigation of the 9/11 Commission.

Berger and his lawyer said Monday night he knowingly removed the handwritten notes by placing them in his jacket and pants, and also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio.

"I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced," Berger said in a statement to the AP.

Translation: "I'm sorry that I got caught."
(Courtesy Vodkapundit)

Posted by mhking at July 20, 2004 07:56 AM
Comments

I thought they'd been allowed to take out handwritten notes uponl leaving that room? Why take handwritten notes if you can't take these with you?

Posted by: Lola at July 20, 2004 09:48 AM

The ones he removed weren't his, I imagine.

Posted by: McGehee at July 20, 2004 12:20 PM

Please allow me to correct myself after having browsed other blogs and their comment threads.

Apparently because the notes Bergler made were from classified documents, his notes were also considered classified unless and until they could be reviewed. Presumably he was supposed to submit his notes for said review, but instead he stuffed them into his jacket and pants (and if the latest is true, his socks) and smuggled them out. Apparently the SandBurglar didn't want anyone to know what he was taking notes about.

So the short answer to Lola's question is, No, they're not allowed to simply take out even their own handwritten notes made during that visit to the reading room. Classified information is classified information regardless of the medium.

Posted by: McGehee at July 20, 2004 03:17 PM
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