Watchdog groups are criticizing a possible probation sentence for the former head of a whistleblower protection office who withheld information from Congress about files that he ordered be erased from office computers.
Scott J. Bloch pleaded guilty in April to criminal contempt of Congress. His sentencing, originally set for Tuesday, was rescheduled for Friday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson in Washington. Bloch admitted withholding information from House investigators about having private technicians “scrub” computer files at the Office of Special Counsel in December 2006.
The files had been used by Bloch and other political appointees.
“Mr. Bloch, perhaps as well as anyone, should have known that the federal government cannot conduct proper investigations if witnesses intentionally and unlawfully withhold information pertinent to those investigations,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn Leon wrote the judge this month.
Full Story: Possible probation of former Bush aide causing controversy
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