Michael McConnell, the nation's top intelligence officer, is looking to block any efforts by lawyers in former Qwest CEO Joe Nacchio's civil fraud case to gain information about government contracts in which Qwest may have been involved. McConnell says the contract information is classified as state secrets that could threaten foreign relations.
Nacchio has alleged Qwest was turned down for government contracts after the company refused to be part of the federal government's domestic surveillance program. The judge in Nacchio's criminal trial wouldn't allow the allegation in court. Now, as the civil case is proceeding, lawyers for Nacchio and other accused former Qwest officials are seeking information to support the allegation.
For more:
- read this piece in The Denver Post
Related articles:
- Revelations of Nacchio's accusation came to light last month