Former Staffer Who Maintained Hillary Clinton’s Private Email Server to Plead the Fifth

Bryan Pagliano, the State Department staffer who maintained Hillary Clinton’s private email server, is attempting to dodge a subpoena issued by Rep. Trey Gowdy’s House Select committee on Benghazi.

The Washington Post reports Pagliano’s attorney sent a letter to the House committee which said, “While we understand that Mr. Pagliano’s response to this subpoena may be controversial in the current political environment, we hope that the members of the Select Committee will respect our client’s right to invoke the protections of the Constitution.” In other words, Pagliano is prepared to plead his 5th rather than testify.

In addition, a spokesman for Senate Judiciary committee chairman Chuck Grassley told the Post, “Mr. Pagliano’s legal counsel told the committee yesterday that he would plead the Fifth to any and all questions if he were compelled to testify.”

Rep. Gowdy’s staff issued the subpoena on August 11th for an appearance on September 10th. Gowdy’s committee also asked for documents related to the maintenance of Clinton’s private server. Rep. Elijah Cummings, the ranking Democrat, complained that his staff had not been consulted before the subpoena was issued.

Pagliano worked as Hillary’s IT director during her 2008 campaign. Starting in May 2009 he was hired by the State Department where he served as special projects manager to the Chief Technology Officer. That title also included responsibility for continued maintenance of Clinton’s home server. Pagliano left his position in February 2013, the same month Clinton stepped down as Secretary of State.