This is a listed crime? (fwd)

[Duncan Frissell]

At 07:36 AM 9/21/98 -0500, Jim Choate wrote:
>Forwarded message:
>
>> From: Information Security <guy at panix.com>
>> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 1998 04:18:43 -0400 (EDT)
>> Subject: This is a listed crime?
>
>> Is "lying to the FBI" a law on the books, or is the actual
>> charge something else?
>
>Deliberately providing police incorrect information during an official
>investigation is a crime. A person can answer the question truthfuly or else
>they can refuse, lying is not an option. There is also the potential for
>being charged as an accomplice.

In fact some authorities thought that you could give an "exculpatory no"
answer to questions without being guilty of Obstruction of Justice.  "Did
you accept a bribe from the Chinese, Mr. Clinton." "No."  But last year the
Supremes held that even "exculpatory noes" can be Obstruction so the better
answer (as it always has been) is "Get out of my face G-Man I don't have to
talk to scum like you."  (Or words to that effect).

DCF