JW [and Sierra Club] VICTORY: COURT RULES CHENEY ENERGY TASK FORCE MUST TURN OVER INFORMATION

Judicial Watch ^ | 23 May 2002 | Judicial Watch

[Amelia]

JW VICTORY: COURT RULES CHENEY ENERGY TASK FORCE MUST TURN OVER INFORMATION

COURT: JUDICIAL WATCH LAWSUIT CAN PROCEED CONCERNING ENERGY TASK FORCE MEETINGS

BUSH ADMINISTRATION LOSES COURT EFFORT TO DISMISS LAWSUIT

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced that a federal court judge ruled today, over the objections of the Bush Administration, that Judicial Watch’s lawsuit against Vice President Cheney and his Energy Task Force can proceed to discovery. The Bush Administration had asked the court to dismiss Judicial Watch’s case and allow no discovery. The ruling, by The Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan, was thus a “devastating defeat” for the Bush Administration. Judicial Watch began its quest to obtain information about the Energy Task Force over one year ago and was force to file a lawsuit under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (open meetings law) when it was rebuffed in its requests for information by Vice President Cheney. Several months later, the Energy Task Force was sued by the Sierra Club, which is now a co-plaintiff in Judicial Watch’s lawsuit.

Judge Sullivan ruled today that the case will proceed and that he will order Judicial Watch and the Sierra Club to propose a discovery plan for the Cheney Energy Task Force.

“The court’s ruling lifts the veil of secrecy from Vice President Cheney’s Energy Task Force. Judicial Watch will now proceed to discovery about the Task Force’s composition and operations, and we intend to question individuals under oath,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

[Iwo Jima]

You, my friend, are much closer to the truth than you may ever know. Anyone who has ever had the unusual experience of having worked for both Bill Ginsberg and Larry Klayman would have an odd story to tell about the remarkable resemblances between the two.

Ginsberg is of course much more the clown. But Klayman is no more effective (if effectiveness if measured by the ultimate benefit to the client).

One who knows.

[Amelia]

Mr. Verney seems to be an interesting fellow.

JUDICIAL WATCH
media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/19/2001

Press Office
202-646-5172

RUSS VERNEY TO JOIN JUDICIAL WATCH

Former Perot Aide to Run Southwestern Regional Headquarters
and Serve As National Advisor

(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government abuse and corruption, is proud to announce the addition of Russell Verney, of Dallas, Texas, as Director of its Southwestern Regional Headquarters, as well as National Advisor to Judicial Watch.

For the last eight years, Mr. Verney has been a close advisor to Ross Perot, helping found the Reform Party, the most successful independent party in the history of the United States. A key goal of Mr. Verney, Mr. Perot and the Reform Party was to eliminate abuse and corruption from government, particularly given the everyday influence peddling and bribery infecting our nation’s political system. Mr. Verney will therefore be an important addition to Judicial Watch, which has fought vigorously against the corrupt practices of politicians who have engaged in bribery and other illegal and illicit fundraising practices.

A former executive director of the New Hampshire Democrat Party, and director the United We Stand America, a multi-million member citizen action group, Mr. Verney is expert in federal election law, ballot access, campaign fundraising, and presidential politics.

“Russ Verney’s expertise in grassroots organizing, campaign finance, and in the too often corrupt federal elections process will make him an invaluable asset to Judicial Watch. Judicial Watch believes in reforming the system by holding corrupt politicians, lawyers, and judges accountable. Russ Verney is obviously an expert in reform and he will be a key partner in our legal and other battles,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

“Judicial Watch is the next wave in reform. I’ve always admired Judicial Watch’s work as an independent, non-partisan watchdog. When it comes to holding corrupt public officials accountable, Judicial Watch is the ‘only game in town,’” stated Judicial Watch Director Russ Verney.

###

[sinkspur]

“Judicial Watch is the next wave in reform. I’ve always admired Judicial Watch’s work as an independent, non-partisan watchdog. When it comes to holding corrupt public officials accountable, Judicial Watch is the ‘only game in town,’” stated Judicial Watch Director Russ Verney.

Translation: "Perot is history as a viable political candidate, and I can't get a political job with either of the two major parties. Klayman's got a good fundraising gig going, so I'll jump on that gravy train for awhile."

Judicial Watch doesn't DO anything; they issue press releases and use those press releases to raise money from the gullibly grumpy.

[Amelia]

Judicial Watch doesn't DO anything; they issue press releases and use those press releases to raise money from the gullibly grumpy.

Their major business DOES seem to be fundraising. :)

[Amelia]

Morning can't-believe-who-Larry's-in-bed-with-now BUMP!

[ArneFufkin]

Looks like Perot has a dethroning on his mind. That little creep is seriously nutzoid jealous of the success of the Bush family.

[ArneFufkin]

Larry got the word "corrupt" into the press release 5 times. Check out the way he characterizes politics in D.C. ... bribery, influence peddling, illgal, illicit, corrupt, abuse. Senator Caligula. You'd think within this political den of rampant iniquity, he'd have uncovered, litigated, and prevailed in at least ONE suit by now.

[OldFriend]

Richard Mellon Scaife is funding Judicial Watch.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Ross Perot staff person (and former Demonrat) and Larry Klayman, allies? Figures. Thanks for turning up this little nugget.

Thanks to Ross Perot's vote splitting in 1992 and 1996, we got Clinton hell and the destruction of our country's security forces - leading up to September 11th's attack.

Nice work, Mr. Klayman.

Nice friends.

[ArneFufkin]

Judicial Watch reported fundraising revenues of $26.8 million last year. Is that just Scaife? I have no solid info that Perot is involved, it was presented on a JW thread about three weeks ago. And since I'm way into rumor and innuendo, I passed it on to here.

[FreeTheHostages]

The judge declared illegal the Navy's use of Farallon de Medinilla.

Hey, point taken. I'm not saying he's God's gift to us. His world view can taint what he does. But he generally does try to be fair. Really. He gave some criminals some really nice long sentences in some cases, too. Believe me, for a Clinton appointee, you could do MUCH worse on that Court.

[FreeTheHostages]

[H]e was stepping all over Starr's inquiry in what seemed to me to be a manic onslaught of filings.

If you're asking me whether Ken Starr would have wanted Klayman to just go away, the answer would be an emphatic yes. Judge Starr's job as IC was to call it as he saw it and present a politically neutral assessment of whether there were crimes. This I thought Judge Starr did *brilliantly.* Perfect performance. It was not helpful, and played into the Democrat's hands that Starr was some politically-motivated star chamber, for Klayman to hop about the periphery and try to grap some limelight.

Truth in advertising: as you can see, I'm no fan of Klayman's. But especially when it comes to the IC process, I think it's certifiably poor tactics, even if one generally likes his work, to get involved in *that* one. However, doing so gave him a measure of noteriety and hence some more access to some more fundraising. There are certainly those who could argue reasonably and well, in opposition to me, that a Larry Klayman making those filings is better than radio silence. E.g., he certainly did a job on Commerce!! Who can disagree that he was helpful there? I just often wish it was someone else being helpful: someone who was a better lawyer. I'm really not trying to get personal, but as a lawyer, I really think there's a reason that a lot of the conservative leading lights lawyers like Starr and Olson stay as far away from him as possible. I don't think it's just differences in roles. I think it's differences in levels of accomplishment and seriousness and gravitas and all of that.

[FreeTheHostages]

Ted Olsen vs. Larry Klayman. Godzilla vs. Tokyo

ROFL. Say goodbye to Toyko.

This is the part where I suppose I should add that I'm not a big fan of us eating our own, that Klayman has done *some* good, that there's not much to be gained from publicly criticizing the tactis of another conservative unless you think they are destructive. Consider that said. But still count me as a good conservative here: I really think Klayman's close to the line on doing more discredit causes he associates with. I also think there's room for debate on the point. If he packed his bags and left, e.g., who would replace him here?

[OldFriend]

I did read that Scaife was the primary source of funds for JW........however, I am skeptical of everything I read, most of the time I don't even believe my own eyes anymore!!

[ArneFufkin]

You're correct. A lot of us gave money to JW from 98-00 and nothing ever happened except a lot more JW solicitation mail.

I was blown away when somone posted his IRS return from last year. His top line was nearly $26 million. That's a hell of a lot of $50 and $100 contributions during a time when there was very little emotional incentive to give. $26 million is hard to spend.

[ArneFufkin]

Ted Olson is amazing ... during that Florida recount fiasco he was 100% connected with Scalia and Rehnquist who were feeding him softballs and one step ahead of Ginsburg and Breyer who were laying traps. He's not very dynamic, but he didn't seem surprised or unprepared for any direction the argument would go. He was a pro. I'm a layman and no great judge, but Tribe (?) or Boies were flustered repeatedly by Scalia's jazz-scat mind. That guy is scary smart.

[deport]

Morning can't-believe-who-Larry's-in-bed-with-now BUMP!

It goes back a ways for sure, didn't he vote for Jimmy Carter?.... Admittedly Ford wasn't a overpowering candidate, but Carter and his peanuts......

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

........and a still-shaking-my-head-in-amazement bump back at ya. :)

[FragileMagic]

This is the part where I suppose I should add that I'm not a big fan of us eating our own, that Klayman has done *some* good, that there's not much to be gained from publicly criticizing the tactis of another conservative unless you think they are destructive.

I am pretty new at this, and I dont know alot about Klayman. I know he was all over Clinton a few years ago. But I dont think the Seirra Klub is conservative. If their on the same side as the Seirra Klub, are they really conservatives?

[ArneFufkin]

It's a marriage of convenience. I think the Sierra Club is looking to take advantage of Klayman's huge postage discount.