Four Take the Fifth?

L-R: David Ayres, Peter Evich and David Lopez. Photo not available for Laura Ayres

On September 3, the ACR Blog noted that David and Laura Ayres intended to invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination if the defense called them to testify in USA v. Kevin A. Ring. Mr. and Mrs. Ayres formally asserted the Fifth Amendment on September 17.

As a result of a report from our Washington correspondent, the ACR Blog is comfortable enough to name two other people who have indicated they will assert their Fifth Amendment rights if called by the defense. Both are staffers to former Rep. John Doolittle (R-Calif.): Former Chief of Staff David Lopez and former Legislative Director Peter Evich. (You may recall that Mr. Evich recently decided that he is no longer proud of his association with Mr. Doolittle.)

The ACR Blog is admittedly puzzled as to why Mr. Lopez feels the need to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights. In August, we learned that Mr. Lopez has received immunity. The only plausible explanation the ACR Blog can come up with is that Mr. Lopez received some sort of limited immunity and that Mr. Lopez feels he is criminally liable for some acts not covered in the limited immunity agreement. Of course, that is just speculation.

U.S. District Judge Ellen S. Huvelle suggested today that it doesn't make a lot of sense to fly Mr. Lopez into Washington from his home in Northern California if he intends to plead the Fifth. That means, at least in Mr. Lopez's case, that he may not have to formally invoke his Fifth Amendment rights.

Mr. Evich lives in the Washington, DC area and works for the lobbying firm Van Scoyoc Associates. Like Mr. and Mrs. Ayres, Mr. Evich may formally assert his Fifth Amendment rights in open court.

Our Washington correspondent also tells us that the government says it won't grant immunity to any more scandal figures. Justice is now playing hardball. Other scandal players ought to strongly consider a plea deal before the lawyers at Justice lose any more patience.

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Wendy at Unheard No More! connects more dots.