COURT MAKES CRIMINAL REFERRAL ON REPUBLICAN/BUSH ADMINISTRATION THREATS AGAINST JUDICIAL WATCH

Judicial Watch ^ | 1 Nov 2002 | Press Release

[Mark Felton]

For Immediate Release
Nov 1, 2002	Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172
COURT MAKES CRIMINAL REFERRAL ON REPUBLICAN/BUSH ADMINISTRATION THREATS AGAINST JUDICIAL WATCH VICE PRESIDENT CHENEY ORDERED TO TURN OVER ENERGY TASK FORCE DOCUMENTS BY NOVEMBER 29th REJECTS REQUEST FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL (Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, reported today that a federal court judge said he would refer allegations of threats against Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Judicial Watch learned through various sources that Republicans and the Bush Administration were improperly investigating Klayman and seeking to have him jailed. Earlier, a Bush Justice Department official had told conservative columnist Robert Novak, in the context of Judicial Watch?s lawsuits against the Administration, ?What are we going to do about this Klayman?? As it is criminal to threaten individuals and coerce attorneys in litigation, Judicial Watch asked the judge hearing its case against Vice President Cheney?s Energy Task Force, The Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan, to take legal action. In hearings over the last two days, Judge Sullivan said that he would criminally refer the serious allegations to the U.S. Attorney Roscoe Howard for investigation and possible prosecution. And in an order issued today, Judge Sullivan ruled that the Bush Administration would not be granted a stay pending appeal of his earlier rulings that Vice President Cheney?s Task Force turn over documents and answer interrogatories about its operations. Judge Sullivan ruled that the Bush Administration had no legal basis for asserting that it would be harmed in divulging documents and privilege logs concerning the Task Force and cited the historic Supreme Court case Clinton v. Jones in pointing out that the executive branch is subject to discovery in court proceedings. The ruling comes in the context of a lawsuit filed against the Energy Task Force by Judicial Watch under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (open meetings law) after it was rebuffed in its requests for information on the Task Force by Vice President Cheney. Several months later, the Energy Task Force was also sued by the Sierra Club, which is now a co-plaintiff in Judicial Watch?s lawsuit. ?Any member of the Bush Administration and any Republican who threaten to ?jail? those who pursue investigations against them ought to be prosecuted. We applaud Judge Sullivan?s criminal referral to the U.S. Attorney?s Office. We will not be intimidated from pursuing our legal actions against the Vice President nor any other politician,? stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. To view the court order, click here (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

[Mark Felton]

for info and discussion...

[jern]

Not good. Sounds like something Clinton would have done.

[dalebert]

And lets just brag about this right before midterm elections. I hate JW

[go star go]

Poor Larry. He now thinks it's illegal for the government to participate in investigations. I guess he'll sue because they helped catch that sniper guy...

[Dog Gone]

Jailing Klayman sounds good to me.

[Cold Heat]

Info and discussion?

LOL!........(that's about it)

[marajade]

"Judicial Watch learned through various sources ..."

Until he names those sources in a court document I'd say he's fibbing...

[Dog Gone]

Only Klayman would take a brushoff from the Judge ("I'll have the US Attorney 'look' at it. Now let's move on, here...") as some sort of vindication worthy of a press release.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Oh really! Are you serious?

[mountaineer]

Judicial Watch learned through various sources that Republicans and the Bush Administration were improperly investigating Klayman and seeking to have him jailed

If this were true, wouldn't Larry have learned this from the court or some real life official, and not just "through various sources"? Looks like contributions must be way down for JW to be this disingenuous.

[nicmarlo]

Earlier, a Bush Justice Department official had told conservative columnist Robert Novak, in the context of Judicial Watch's lawsuits against the Administration, 'What are we going to do about this Klayman?' As it is criminal to threaten individuals . . .

Until he names those sources in a court document I'd say he's fibbing

Agreed; and until and unless they have something more than this supposed "threat," which is ludicrous at best, this is just smoke.

[Torie]

What would be the crime that Klayman would be threatened with? That seems to be missing from the Klayman press release. Detail does not seem to be Klayman's strong suit. Perhaps in he is in the wrong profession. Perhaps he should be hired by some political outfit as a spin doctor, which might play up to his strong suit.

[YaYa123]

This is a press release. A self-serving, "hey look at me", press release. It's not a legal document, and by the way.....even press releases should be typo free before my panties get in a wad.

[marajade]

Everytime I hear Klayman's name I can't help but remember how Judge Sauls completely ignored him in Florida... It makes me laugh every time...

[RGSpincich]

In hearings over the last two days, Judge Sullivan said that he would criminally refer the serious allegations to the U.S. Attorney Roscoe Howard for investigation and possible prosecution.

"Criminally refer", "serious allegations", "possible prosecution" slight hyperbole? Wanna bet the judge said something like, "I ain't got time for this shhhtuff, talk to the US Attorney."

[dixiechick2000]

It's vey series...
and it's Judge Sullivan.

,"...a Bush Justice Department official had told conservative columnist Robert Novak, in the context of Judicial Watch?s lawsuits against the Administration, ?What are we going to do about this Klayman?? As it is criminal to threaten individuals and coerce attorneys..."

That's a threat? I've heard better...

[deport]

LOL... Yep ol' Roscoe will get right on it..... Now if the IRS can just find a little time to move this Audit of the Klaymer along.... mainly
"Because no one is above the law"

[PhiKapMom]

Guess Klayman thought this would get a lot of press! Pretty lame if you ask me. Judge referring something to a US Attorney is like telling Klayman he is filing his case in File 13.

Personally I would take the quote as a joke. The Bush Administration I would think would consider Klayman like a pesky fly that is irritating but does not do any harm and eventually will get swatted! The Administration has a lot more to worry about than little old Larry Klayman whose main aim in life is to file lawsuits to get contributions!

[Mark Felton]

"LOL!........(that's about it) "

I didn't really expect much discussion...

semper libertas

[okie01]

Larry Klayman has become a bi-partisan PITB.

The price some people will pay for ink and face time...