Why did a major fundraising co-founder take the Fifth, and what secrets lie in the withheld documents?

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Matt DeBergalis most likely took the Fifth because House investigators’ questions touched on matters that could create personal legal risk, not because guilt has been established. The committees are examining whether ActBlue’s fraud controls were too weak to block potentially illegal donations, including possible foreign-sourced money, and whether Congress received inaccurate descriptions of those controls. In that setting, lawyers often advise witnesses to avoid answers that could later be used in civil or criminal proceedings. What is publicly known about the withheld documents comes mainly from committee letters and press reporting, not from the documents themselves. Investigators say ActBlue withheld 422 subpoenaed records under attorney-client privilege. Lawmakers have singled out two items they argue should not be shielded: former interim general counsel Aaron Ting’s resignation letter and an internal message from former lawyer Zain Ahmad alleging retaliation after raising misconduct concerns. Republicans say those materials may bear on three issues: whether improper donations were accepted, whether Congress was misled about screening practices, and whether an internal whistleblower faced retaliation. ActBlue disputes that account. It says it has produced thousands of pages, is complying on a rolling basis, and is properly protecting privileged legal communications. The organization also denies wrongdoing and says it has strengthened anti-fraud tools, including card-ve…

ActBlue Co-founder Pleads Fifth in 25-Minute House Probe Deposition

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ActBlue Co-founder Pleads Fifth in 25-Minute House Probe Deposition

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