◆ SpookStack

CONYERS: Ifthe gentlelady will yield... WATERS: Yes, CONYERS: .. testimony before this committee can constitute a violation in and of itself. (CROSSTALK) CONYERS: A misstatement -- any deliberate misstatements. WATERS: Well, I would have preferred that they be under oath. But, however, the chair has made that decision and I] shall proceed. . Let me just ask about the use of these exigent letters. As I understand it, these letters are used basically to get around having to get the NSL letters, is that right, Mr. Fine? FINE: These letters were used in advance of or in lieu of national security letters, that's right. WATERS: And there was information collected as a result of these letters, particularly the operation, I believe, that was set up with the contract with the three telephone companies or telecommunications companies, is that correct? FINE: Well, there were contracts with the telephone companies so that they would provide information to the FBI on an expedited basis. WATERS: Ms. Caproni, do you still have contracts with those telephone companies, any other telephone companies, or any other private businesses to supply you information in the manner that those companies did? CAPRONI: We continue to have contracts with the telephone carriers that obligate us to provide them with appropriate process to get records. I don't -- I can't answer the balance of your question. | don't know if we have other contracts with other private parttes. The telephone companies, it made sense because of the volume of our requests. WATERS: