While the probe into the destruction of the tapes is politically charged, the prosecutor in charge has a reputation of being independent. John Durham, a federal prosecutor from Connecticut was been appointed by Michael Mukasey to be in charge of the investigation.
John Durham has the reputation of combating mob-related public corruption. The investigation has challenged the White House’s handling of terrorism suspects.
So far, the CIA had already acknowledged that it has destroyed the tapes in 2005. The videos were of officers in the CIA using tough methods of interrogation on two Al-Qaeda suspects.
This had sparked an congressional investigation and a investigation by the DOJ into whether or not the CIA had violated any laws or if they had obstructed congressional inquiries such as one led by the 9/11 Commission.
“The Department’s National Security Division has recommended, and I have concluded, that there is a basis for initiating a criminal investigation of this matter, and I have taken steps to begin that investigation,” he said in Wednesday’s statement.
John Durham served as prosecutor for the DOJ for twenty-five years. He is one of the most relentless prosecutors out there. The move was made when prosecutors from Eastern District of Virginia removed themselves from the case. CIA Inspector General John L. Helgerson also removed himself.
Congressional investigators already have files available from the CIA.