Any government employee that testifies that "I don't know" When they are in charge and paid very well to oversee the department they are running, then should be required to return ALL money they have received.
It might trigger some memory. . . . .
Yes, I agree.
While the idea of “I don’t know” becoming a money pit for government supervisors is appealing, it also gives the least underling the ability to bankrupt their boss, or the boss of their boss, and so on.
I believe that a government supervisor who pleads the 5th over their supervisory duties should be immediately fired, and perhaps should be subject to repayment of any bonuses they received during the time of the overseen infractions. Promotions and raises would be voided, retroactively. Then, the supervisor is immediately referred to a prosecutor for criminal investigation.
I think the “I don’t recall” or “I had no knowledge” defense in a situation where an entire department is engaged in bad behavior should also get the supervisor fired - for incompetence. But they would not necessarily be subject to financial ruin.
To be clear - these penalties would apply only for testimony concerning their government work, not for other matters. The financial ruin for the 5th would be a strong influence to keep fedgov from running amok.
Finally - This is all off the top of my head, so anyone who see a flaw in the reasoning should please speak up!