Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Documents Detailing White House Involvement in Black Panther Case...

Judicial Watch ^ | September 22, 2010

[jazusamo]

Complete title: Judicial Watch Sues DOJ for Documents Detailing White House Involvement in Black Panther Case Dismissal

DOJ Claims No Records Exist; Press Reports Document Nine Meetings between Associate Attorney General Perrelli and White House between March 25 and May 27, 2009

Washington, DC -- September 22, 2010

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today announced that it filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit (Judicial Watch v. Department of Justice (CV 10-0160)) against the Obama Department of Justice (DOJ) to obtain records related to meetings between Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli and White House officials regarding DOJ’s decision to dismiss its voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party for Self Defense (NBPP). Judicial Watch seeks the following documents through its FOIA request sent on January 19, 2010:

“Any and all records of Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli concerning meetings with the White House on the Justice Department’s voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party. The time frame for this request is from January 20, 2009 to June 15, 2009.”

On March 26, 2010, the DOJ informed Judicial Watch that it had conducted a search for documents, but found “no records responsive to your request.” Judicial Watch appealed the decision on March 31, 2010, based on “various media accounts in which it was reported that Associate Attorney General Perrelli visited the White House on nine occasions between March 25, 2009, and May 27, 2009, to discuss Defendant’s voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party.”

The DOJ was required to make a determination on Judicial Watch’s appeal within 20 working days, or by May 3, 2010. To date, no such determination has been made.

On September 20, Judicial Watch released a draft Vaughn index from the DOJ pursuant to a separate lawsuit indicating that Perrelli and other top political appointees were involved in the decision to dismiss the Black Panther case despite sworn testimony of Thomas Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, to the contrary.

The Vaughn index (privilege log) produced to Judicial Watch describes documents that continue to be withheld by the Justice Department. The index details 122 documents (totaling at least 611 pages) that the Obama DOJ is withholding from the public in their entirety. A federal court hearing in the matter is scheduled on October 5, 2010, in Washington, DC, before U.S. District Court Judge Reggie B. Walton.

“Why should anyone believe the Justice Department’s story regarding these records? We now know Justice officials falsely stated that no political appointees were involved in the Black Panther decision. The Justice Department continues to withhold hundreds of pages of records that could shed light on this scandal. And despite multiple press reports documenting Perrelli’s White House meetings, the Justice Department cannot find a single record related to these meetings. We’re tired of getting the run-around and that’s why we sued,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

The DOJ filed its lawsuit against the New Black Panther Party following an incident that took place outside of a Philadelphia polling station on November 4, 2008. A video of the incident, showing a member of the New Black Panther Party brandishing police-style baton weapon, was widely distributed on the Internet. According to multiple witnesses, members of the New Black Panthers blocked access to polling stations, harassed voters and hurled racial epithets. Nonetheless, the DOJ ultimately overruled the recommendations of its own staff and dismissed the majority of its charges.

[jazusamo]

DOJ's Thomas Perez already lied about who made decisions to drop Black Panther case at DOJ, why would anyone believe them now when they say the White House wasn't involved?

[TexasCajun]

JW already have some incriminating evidence, looking for more that the DOJ is hiding or have destroyed already.

[Wurlitzer]

I remember all through the Clinton years the number of times JW had the goods on someone and filed suit.

Seems most if not all was smoke and mirrors or the Clintons had a pretty good hold on the court system like the messiah seems to have.

One disappointment after another. I won't hold my breath for this one.

[Logical me]

Nothing much will happen here. Wish it would but America is now under the control of King Obama and his communists Administration. America is now ruled by an elite black Muslim King. Even if we are able to get the Senate and the House it will take many years and probably never be back to a real constitutional America. Many of these things will never be reversed even if we get constitutional Republicans elected. Beck and Rush are now uncovering where we are really at. O’Rielly is still in a fog.

[jazusamo]

I agree, but they’re getting some info and others are using it also. It may just help unseat this tyrant when 2012 comes up.

[Kenny Bunk]

Someday, soon, JW will win a case. Sometimes they even get them into court!

[jazusamo]

Prior thread on J. Christian Adams' article that used JW FOIA info.

Proof: New Records Show DOJ Lied About New Black Panther Dismissal

[Dubya-M-DeesWent2SyriaStupid!]

bump jeep pushin on Obama will finally have to answer to this.

[MarineMom613]

Does “documents” include emails, messaging etc on blackberries and such. This president stated he would not give up his blackberry, but what about all the info on this item. Is it downloaded daily, I think not. For history sake, where will the electronic documents come from? ALL of his admin have these blackberrys’. No more shredding, just press delete? Now we know what happened to all his records when he was a State Senator also????

[jazusamo]

From Election Law Center

Posted by Christian Adams, September 21, 2010

Head cracking, drug dealing elected officials

It seems that New Black Panthers Jerry Jackson and King Samir Shabazz have long criminal records. Most notably, King Samir Shabazz has been convicted of felony assault for beating up a woman with a nightstick. BigGovernment.com has the disturbing 911 call and the trial transcript from the felony conviction. He also assaulted another man in a separate incident with a nightstick. Democratic Executive Committeeman Jerry Jackson also has multiple arrests and convictions, including stabbing, robbery and drug dealing.

"Jerry Jackson’s first encounter with Police was in 1978 when he and another man stabbed and robbed a victim in Philadelphia. Jackson was convicted and sentenced for Robbery and Criminal Conspiracy, both first-degree felonies. Jackson has also been arrested and served time for dealing drugs in the same neighborhood where he serves as a Democratic Precinct Committeeman."

[jazusamo]

Good point, there’s not much doubt that’s why Zer0 couldn’t part with his blackberry.

[I am Richard Brandon]

The Freedom of Information Act does not apply (a) when the little people want something (b) when your government - elected or otherwise - does something wrong. Get Over It.

[I am Richard Brandon]

The Freedom of Information Act does not apply (a) when the little people want something (b) when your government - elected or otherwise - does something wrong. Get Over It.

[unkus]

Someday, soon, JW will win a case. Sometimes they even get them into court!

---

I sent JW money during the Clintoon years and have given up on them.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks jazusamo.

• Bombshell: Defying DOJ Instructions, Christopher Coates Will Testify on NBP Case

[TheOldLady]

I’ve got everything crossed but my eyes, hoping that something comes of this as far as putting those racist criminals away.

[The Citizen Soldier]

I sent JW money during the Clintoon years and have given up on them.

Yea, me too. Then came the monthly ...weekly ...daily pitches for money. Had they accomplished one-tenth of their agenda, both Clintons would be serving serious prison time along with most of the senior Democratic talking heads.