| Printed from JudicialWatch.org Apr 13, 1999 |
Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
Claims Answer May Incriminate Him (Washington, April 13). After losing a 12th hour attempt to avoid testifying, by falsely claiming that the entire case was on appeal, and then bogusly asserting that he was not served with a subpoena and was not legally required to appear, John Huang and his attorneys, despite several opportunities to advise the Court in the last several months, attempted to assert the Fifth Amendment today. When asked if he was truthful during the first deposition session on October 29, 1996, Huang refused to respond. When asked if he had received a copy of the subpoena and notice of deposition requiring his attendance today, Huang refused to respond. When asked if he had produced documents in response to subpoena, Huang refused to respond. This caused counsel for Judicial Watch to comment that he would probably assert the privilege on the color of his tie. The deposition has been adjourned and reset for Thursday, April 15, 1999, to allow Judicial Watch to move the Court to force Mr. Huang to testify. Judicial Watch asserts that Mr. Huang has waived any claim of Fifth Amendment privilege by previously testifying, among other grounds -- even if properly asserted, which it was not. At the end of the session today, Huang and his attorneys attempted to enjoin release of the transcript and videotape of the deposition, claiming that public release amounts to "McCarthyism." Previously, Huang's counsel sarcastically commented when asserting the Fifth, that even Asian Americans are entitled to do so. The Magistrate Judge instructed Huang's counsel to make no further comments like this. Indeed, prior documentation obtained from the DNC shows that the "race card" was devised or discussed by its Chairmen after Huang was first deposed on October 29, 1996. Later, President Clinton made similar comments in public to deflect the exploding interest by the media in the Chinagate scandal. Prior to being originally deposed, Huang ran from U.S. Marshals seeking to serve him with a subpoena. A copy of the transcript or video is publicly available. The Magistrate Judge denied Huang's request to impound it. | |