Former Qwest CEO to address NSA surveillance, July 29

Joseph P. Nacchio, the former chairman and CEO of Qwest Communications International and former chairman of two national commissions on security and infrastructure, will speak at a Newsmakers news conference on Wednesday, July 29 at 10 a.m. in the Zenger Room to address shortcomings in the USA Freedom Act.

Later on July 29, Nacchio will receive a human rights “corporate courage” award at the annual Whistle Blowers Summit on Capitol Hill.

Nacchio contends the USA Freedom Act, signed into law last month, provides inadequate protection against National Security Agency’s (NSA) bulk data collection of the public’s electronic communications.

Nacchio, the leader of the regional Bell provider for 14 Western states, plans to argue that one of the greatest threats to American freedom comes from the U.S. government. Government surveillance that violates the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment “chills” free speech under the First Amendment, he says. Also, he argues that America faces over-criminalization of its justice system and inappropriate political criteria used to determine which targets to prosecute.

Nacchio early in 2001 declined the Bush administration’s request to cooperate in the warrantless monitoring of customer data. Although many details remain classified, he has been widely reported as the only top telecom executive to demand a court order or approval under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to turn over records to the NSA. At the time, Nacchio also chaired two national commissions under the administration of President George W. Bush. One was the presidentially appointed National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. Also, FCC Chairman Michael Powell appointed Nacchio to chair the Network Reliability and Interoperability Committee.

The Bush administration later cancelled large numbers of federal contracts for Qwest services. Nacchio was also sentenced a six years in prison for insider trading by Nacchio. He lost his appellate and Supreme Court claims that the criminal charges were based on reprisal.

Like all Newsmakers events, this news conference is open to credentialed media and NPC members, free of charge. No advance registration is required.

For more information, contact Michael Smith, Newsmaker event host, at [email protected] or 703-623-3834.