Human rights advocates in NY court seek revocation of Gitmo shrink John Leso's license

April 6, 2011

A New York City judge says she's not sure human rights advocates can force a state investigation into an Army psychologist they say developed abusive interrogation techniques for detainees at Guantanamo Bay.

Civil Court Judge Saliann Scarpulla didn't immediately rule after a hearing Wednesday. She told the rights groups she shared their "sensibility" but wasn't sure the law was on their side.

The groups say psychologist John F. Leso committed professional misconduct by recommending measures such as exposing detainees to severe cold and depriving them of sleep.

The New York Civil Liberties Union and the San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability want him stripped of his New York license.

The state says Leso's Army work is outside its purview.

No working telephone number could be found for him.

Source: "NY judge queries sides in Gitmo psychologist case," Associated Press, April 6, 2011.