Record shows Clinton knew rules on email

Clinton claims it was a regrettable mistake to use personal email. It was no mistake, and she knew not to use her own email server.

She sent a directive to State Department staff not to use personal email. When U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Scott Gration was fired, they referenced his use of personal email as part of the justification.

She knew in 2011 it was wrong. Here is the timeline:

Nov. 4, 2005: The State Department updates the Foreign Affairs manual to state that "sensitive but unclassified" information should not be transmitted through personal email accounts.

Jan. 21, 2009: The Senate confirms Clinton as secretary of state.

June 29, 2011: A State Department cable to employees is issued under Clinton's signature warning: "Avoid conducting official Department business from your personal email accounts."

August 2012: The State Department inspector general issues a scathing report on U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Scott Gration that includes criticism of the fact he used a private email account to handle "sensitive but unclassified" material. Gration is later fired. The report read, "The Ambassador's requirements for use of commercial email in the office and his flouting of direct instructions to adhere to Department policy have placed the information management staff in a conundrum: balancing the desire to be responsive to their mission leader and the need to adhere to Department regulations and government information security standards."

Feb. 1, 2013: Clinton steps down as secretary of state. She is not trustworthy.

Richard Bolesta

Schaumburg