Paisley Subpoenas in Pentagon Case Upheld by Judge
- Share via
WASHINGTON — Lawyers for former Navy official Melvyn R. Paisley, a central figure in the Pentagon contract scandal, lost an effort Friday to quash 11 grand jury subpoenas for records from his dealings as a private consultant.
E. Lawrence Barcella Jr., a lawyer for Paisley, argued that the subpoenas “are the tainted product of illegal electronic surveillance” used in a two-year FBI investigation.
The subpoenas also were directed at Paisley’s wife, Vicki, and three of their consulting companies.
U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton denied the motion after hearing arguments from Paisley’s attorneys and Don Weber, a special assistant U.S. attorney, who told the court that the government eavesdropping on Paisley’s home and office “was duly authorized” by court order.
“Anything that took place was legal,” Weber said.
The Pentagon arms scandal involves an investigation into evidence that industry consultants passed bribes and gratuities to defense procurement officials and other public officials in exchange for inside information. Federal law enforcement officials have said military contract awards totaling tens of billions of dollars may have been tainted.
The case was heard in Alexandria, Va., because Paisley’s home is nearby in McLean, Va.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
