Clinton has used Powell in her public defense of her behavior – which she now says was a “mistake” – but only as an example of a previous secretary who relied exclusively on private email to conduct government business.
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The decision means Clinton will probably not have to step away from the campaign trail to sit for an interview with some of her fiercest critics, but ensures that the controversy will continue to follower her throughout the final weeks of the presidential campaign.
The paper, which has a hot-and-cold relationship with Clinton, also cites an excerpt from a book that originally reported the exchange between Clinton and Powell at a dinner party. He denied the deposal request, but gave the presidential candidate 30 days to respond to the written questions.
The New York Times revealed the news, citing two sources in apparent reference to Powell as Clinton’s adviser on how to better deal with her work emails at the State Department.
Such an order was passed by the US District Judge Emmet G Sullivan as part of a lawsuit filed against Clinton by Judicial Watch, which had sought permission to question the former secretary of state under oath and in person.
“The judge also ordered the government to start turning over emails the FBI recovered from Clinton’s server in its now closed criminal investigation”.
News of the supposed advice comes from a new book by a close Clinton ally, Joe Conason.
They had asked for a three-hour window to question her, less than the seven hours they were given to question several current and former State Department officials last month.
A spokeswoman for Judicial Watch couldn’t say yesterday whether the timeline would result in another round of answers in time for Election Day.
Judicial Watch has tried for years to get records of Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s employment outside of the State Department, which has led to questions about Clinton’s private email server. He did recall describing the system he used to her, but the statement did not say he suggested Clinton do the same. These are basically question sheets that Clinton is required to answer truthfully.
Reached for comment, Powell’s team told CNN he has “no recollection” of the conversation described in Conason’s book, though he did provide her a memo regarding his own email use at the State Dept.
One March 17, 2009 email discussed a “Secretary Residential Installation Hotwash” which mentioned an “unclassified partner system” and “server” which was housed in Clinton’s “basement telephone closet”.
Mr Powell reportedly told Mrs Clinton that his use of personal email to communicate with his staff had been “transformative for the department”.
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In early July, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said no charges would be brought against Clinton for using the private email server.
