Senate Committee Chair Says Don’t Complain If You Didn’t Testify

Aldo Salazar

Is this the end of the line as far as the matter is concerned? Chairman Salazar said the Committee is considering its options and has not ruled out litigation, although the details are to be worked out privately. But how will this impact any findings of the Committee in relation to the pair and can they avoid a permanent taint? The Chairman told us that the Committee will make every effort to be fair and give all who appear a chance to tell their side of the story, but that if that chance is not taken then there can be no complaints.

Aldo Salazar, Chair, Senate Special Select Committee

“I think if at the end of the day, the Senate does not have the ability to compel – I’m not saying that is the case; let’s say that’s just the worst-case scenario – if the Senate is unable to compel them to come in a timely fashion; if there is litigation about what are the powers of the Senate in that regard; I’m not ruling that out – if the Senate is unable to compel them at that point, my view is that the Committee is still bound to afford everybody fairness and natural justice principles. So if the Senate is going to make a finding or is going to say something in regard to a person, I think it is our obligation to speak to that person before, to advise them as to what the Senate is contemplating, and to ask them to give them the opportunity to address us on the issue, because I think that is only fair, and we have to be guided by fairness. And if given that opportunity, if you are told: look, the Senate is considering this, from the report we are leaning toward this view of it, can you please explain – if you refuse, then you can’t complain about what the Senate has produced in its report, because you had ample opportunities to address the matter.”

The senate hearings continue next week Wednesday.