CIA Insured to Break the Law?

The CIA announced last Monday that it will pay the full cost of legal liability insurance for about two-thirds of the agency workforce.

"The insurance comes from private companies to cover legal expenses that arise out of actions undertaken in the course of a CIA officer's official duties. It is meant to cover potential litigation expenses including damages. It covers legal expenses associated only with those activities undertaken after liability insurance is taken. The reimbursement program began in 2000."

"Any agency employee who supervises one or more employees is eligible to be reimbursed as will attorneys, grievance officers, equal employment opportunity counselors, auditors, IG inspectors and investigators, polygraph examiners, recruiters or hiring advisers and security officers."

Isn't that awesome? The most important law enforcement agency must insure most of its employees against lawsuits for violating the law/Bill of Rights/Constitution.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

CIA Director Michael Hayden appeared on Meet The Press told Tim Russert that he recently urged his CIA employees to buy liability insurance in order to protect them against any lawsuits that may challenge the legality of their legal acts.

I also found a story written by Pamela Hess called, "CIA Expands Legal Help for Workers". You can read her AP article here.