Compton recoil electrons are electrons knocked from orbitals of an atom usually by gammaradiation from a nuclear explosion.
These electrons create a brief current which results in an electromagnetic pulse or EMP which can damage or destroy unshielded electronic equiptment, mainly microchips. Such an event taking place at high altitude would result in wide scale electrical damage.
"our electrical equiptment was damaged as a result of compton recoil electrons from the EMP blast"
Typically invoked by governmental officials during sworn testimony to the U.S. Congress to deny potentially damaging -- politically and/or criminally -- behavior.
From the 1994 film "Clear and Present Danger" starring Harrison Ford:
Jack Ryan: Who authorized this?
Robert Ritter: I'm sure they'll ask you that.
Jack Ryan: Who authorized it?
Robert Ritter: I have no recollection, Senator