I have yet to hear any rational legal explanation for the Patriots not allowing additional interviews. None of the explanations the Patriots gave in press releases made any sense.
The Patriots claimed that Wells interviewed the equipment managers enough, and that it would be inconvenient to the equipment managers to be re-interviewed. But legally, neither reason makes any sense. The Patriots lawyers are supposed to be representing the Patriots as a corporate legal entity. The convenience of particular Patriots employees is not something the lawyers should - or even ethically can - consider. The Patriots lawyers must only consider one client: the Patriots corporation. That corporation is a legal entity distinct from any employee. So they have no reason to be concerned about some equipment manager's wasted time.
And the argument that the interview is unnecessary is likewise absurd. All the interviews were unnecessary. As soon as the facts about the gas law and the lack of accurate records became clear, the investigation should have ended. The Patriots knew at that point the investigation was just a way for Well's firm to increase billings (and help a client), and for the NFL to save face. So arguing mid-process that the whole thing is sham doesn't make sense: yes, it's a sham, but that is no reason not to play along.
And, knowing that Wells makes money from billing, why would they antagonize him by denying him more billing? Figuring Wells has four attorneys there plus likely paralegals, and the interview would have to be notated and analyzed, that decision likely cost Wells firm $50K in billings, maybe more if more interviews would be needed.
Of all the odd legal decisions by the Patriots attorneys, not allowing more interviews was the strangest.
