BUSH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BLOCKS RENO DEPOSITION

Judicial Watch Press Release ^ | 11/8/01

[Rebeckie]

11/8/2001

202-646-5172

BUSH JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BLOCKS RENO DEPOSITION

Latest Obstruction Prevents Scheduled Testimony In Defamation Case Against Accused Spy Wen Ho Lee

Last Minute Gamesmanship No Better than Clinton Justice Department

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today criticized the Ashcroft Justice Department for obstructing a long scheduled deposition of former Attorney General Reno in whistleblower Notra Trulock defamation case against accused Chinese spy and admitted felon Wen Ho Lee. Trulock, the former chief of the Energy Department intelligence operations, is suing Lee and others for falsely accusing Trulock of racial bias while conducting an inquiry into the loss of America nuclear secrets from Energy Department labs. Former Attorney General Reno, who was subpoenaed last month, was expected to testify that Wen Ho Lee charges of racial bias had no basis in fact and that there was a legitimate basis to investigate Lee. The deposition of Ms. Reno was scheduled to take place tomorrow in Miami. Judicial Watch is representing Mr. Trulock in this matter.

Late yesterday afternoon, the Ashcroft Justice Department, through a fax from Assistant Attorney General Robert D. McCallum, Jr., unilaterally decided that Reno (and other witnesses such as former FBI Director Louis Freeh) would not appear as scheduled. Judicial Watch was told by a Justice Department lawyer that this decision was only made yesterday. (The Ashcroft Justice Department had known that Reno would be testifying in this case since June of this year.)

The Justice Department lawyers know they have no legal basis to prevent Ms. Reno from testifying at the last minute. Yet they think they are above the law and are contemptuous of the Court processes. The Ashcroft Justice Department has continually obstructed this case. Indeed, a federal court has already sanctioned them for similar conduct in this case. "Truth be told, in matters that Judicial Watch has been litigating, the ethics and practices of the Ashcroft Justice Department are no better than those of Reno Justice Department", stated Judicial Watch Chairman Larry Klayman.

"No one is above the law. And Judicial Watch will seek appropriate sanctions and plans to ask for an independent investigation by the Office of Professional Responsibility into the way the Wen Ho Lee case has been handled. These repeated obstructionist tactics by this Justice Department are most likely to cover up their ongoing negligence concerning the loss of virtually all of our nation nuclear secrets to China and other nations adverse to the United States", added Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

[deport]

,,,,,,,,In fact, I remember my brother saying - "the Loral case is a brilliant case because it is a shareholders derivative case and etc." ,,,,,,,,

But isn't this the case that the Judge ruled against or dismissed? I've looked on JW site but can't find were he has refiled it, but did find their press release of 9/01 talking about being able to refile it in state courts....

[ChaseR]

"many on these threads have alot of frustration with no results..."

Yeah, guess so. Anyway, I suggest all these naysayers back Klayman. Klayman is the only person who is pursuing Chinagate. Now tell me good friend KLT, doesn't this make sense.

[ChaseR]

"But isn't this the case that the Judge ruled against or dismissed?"

Yes, but as you read, I called the JW radio program and Larry Klayman himself took the question and said it has been refiled. He would not lie on national radio...done deal-the case has been refiled. And deservedly so!

"I've looked on JW site but can't find were he has refiled"

I don't think they worry about updating their site daily/weekly/the federal court in Washington will have a record of this filing.

[victim soul]

Thanks for reminding us of this event. I was a illerate computer lurker at the time but was full of pride at a grassroots effort that I too watched on C-Span and said thank God there's some group out there that stand for freedom, full disclosure and exposition of criminal behavior.

Let the chips fall where they may, but we Americans deserve to have the truth and we have to be able to hold our elected representatives and our Justice system fully accountable and demand a open government.

If not, we are already living in a dictatorship of the elected elite. President Bush should know better than this. I am deeply troubled.

[deport]

.........Where does it say he won that one? ..........

According to the following it was dismissed.......

One of Mr. Klayman's current favorite legal tactics is the corporate derivative suit. His first such action was against State Farm Insurance Co., which was paying Mr. Clinton's legal fees in the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit under an umbrella liability policy the Clintons had taken out. The suit was dismissed.

[KLT]

Yeah, guess so. Anyway, I suggest all these naysayers back Klayman. Klayman is the only person who is pursuing Chinagate. Now tell me good friend KLT, doesn't this make sense.

Oh yes, Chase it makes tons of sense...and I support Klayman wholeheartedly...I hope he's successful this time...it's about time..Isn't it Chase?

Just adding my 2 cents to the mix....now Chase don't blow any blood vessels over this thread....remember how it can effect your blood pressure...Just joking with you...Great Thread, Once Again..

Your Pal,

KLT

[shield]

bush is just another clinton....

[f.Christian]

Yeah---"gutless" vs. brainless...everyone's posts speak for themselves!

[Verax]

Wake up people...they're both CFR.

[katze]

#345 According to my State Farm agent, it was the outcry of millions of policyholders that kept Clinton's settlement much lower than expected. Policyholders also received a sort of settlement, via dividend checks and lowered premiums. I have 3 policies with State Farm, and was ready to find new coverage.

[katze]

#342 I backed Klayman for several years, eagerly watching and listening to every word, but lost interest when it became obvious he can't win any cases. If/when he does, then he can count on my renewed support.

Most learned long ago that no one is going to touch the Clintons, and I don't like it any more than you or anyone else who believes they should be in prison for all the crimes committed. In the Chinagate case, it is doubtful that Schwartz and McAuliffe will be indicted, much less convicted.

If I'm a "naysayer", then I say you're someone who lacks common sense.

[deport]

Kinda of the way it was I think. Many policyholders were upset to say the least. JW's case was dismissed from what I've read....

[BeAChooser]

If I'm a "naysayer",

No, just a "move-on'er" ... a symbol of Clinton's and the DNC's final victory over the GOP.

[Mr. Bungle]

"That is why he (Bush) needs to do something about the Clintons and this nuclear espionage now. "

Yep. I hate the political gamesmanship as much as the next guy - but with his approval ratings so high, now's the time, or never. The Bush Administration could easily survive the long-overdue prosecution of Clinton.

I get the feeing they simply don't know how dangerous the Clintons still are.

[Iwo Jima]

Hey, Guys, I seem to have missed Judicial Watch's press release telling everybody that the motion for sanctions, etc., which Larry Klayman was screaming that he would file against the Bush administration was heard and denied by the court handling the Notra Trulock case. According to the Docket Sheet, several motions were heard on November 30, 2001. On December 3, 2001, the court entered orders in accordance with its rulings from the bench at that hearing. Among other things, the following orders were entered.

"Motion by Notra Trulock III to Compel the United States Department of Energy to Comply with Subpoena and Produce Documents is DENIED;.... Motion by Notra Trulock III to Compel the United States to Produce Documents and Make Third Party Witnesses Available for Deposition is DENIED;.... Motion by Notra Trulock III for Sanctions for Violation of Magistrate Jones' Order of 7/11/01 is DENIED;.... Motion by Notra Trulock III for an Order to Show Cause Why the United States Should not be in Contempt for Violation of Magistrate Jones' Order of 7/11/01 is DENIED."

Now, why, oh why would Larry Klayman made such a big whoop-te-do about filing this motion and then not even mention to those of us who hang on his every word the fact that it had been DENIED by the trial court? Could it be that he sees value in getting the adoring masses stirred up by pretending that he has filed something which has meaning when in fact it does not, and that he never really expects to prevail or even cares if he does not because he will simply not tell anyone when he has lost/given up?

This is a pattern -- file a bogus claim/suit/motion. Fire off press releases, hold press conferences, send out fund raising letters, etc. about how this case/development, etc. is "it" -- the thing that will finally break open the Clinton scandals. When the court pours you out or you just quietly dismiss the case, say nothing about it to the contributors and keep on raising money.

I think that poor Mr. Trulock was sorely mistreated, and I hope that he finds justice for the wrongs done to him. He is not to blame for Klayman's antics. He deserves better.

[deport]

Thanks for the info. At some point the Court may get tired of these type filings with no merit or you'd think so. Have a nice day.

[ChaseR]

BTTT