Cornyn, Colleagues Demand Answers from DOJ on Aaron Swartz Case

by John Cornyn

Cornyn, Colleagues Demand Answers from DOJ on Aaron Swartz Case

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U.S. Senator John Cornyn

OF TEXAS
Cornyn, Colleagues Demand Answers from DOJ on Aaron Swartz Case

January 10, 2014

Cornyn, Colleagues Demand Answers from DOJ on Aaron Swartz Case

Jan 10 2014

WASHINGTON — Ahead of the one year anniversary of technologist Aaron Swartz’s death, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined with colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder seeking responses to the still unanswered questions about the aggressive prosecution Mr. Swartz was facing at the time of his death.

In addition to Sen. Cornyn, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Wyden (D-OR) and Flake (R-AZ), and U.S. Reps. Issa (R-CA), Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Grayson (D-FL), Lofgren (D-CA), and Polis (D-CO).

“We regret that the information your Department has provided to date has not been satisfactory – among other things, it painted a picture of prosecutors unwilling or unable to weigh what charges to pursue against a defendant, something which you have instructed federal prosecutors is ‘among [their] most fundamental duties.’

“In March, you testified that Mr. Swartz’s case was ‘a good use of prosecutorial discretion.’ We respectfully disagree. We hope your response to this letter is fulsome, which would help re-build confidence about the willingness of the Department to examine itself where prosecutorial conduct is concerned.”

The full text of the letter is attached.

Related Files:

• Aaron Swartz Letter to DOJ.pdf (240.9 KBs)

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