COURT SETS FEBRUARY 12TH HEARING ON JUDICIAL WATCH LAWSUIT FOR CHENEY ENERGY POLICY DEVELOPMENT GROUP DOCUMENTS
Judicial Watch Filed Months Ago Lawsuit GAO Is Set To Copy
Public Interest Law Firm Invoked Federal Advisory Committee Act
Hearing Set For 1:00 PM on Tuesday, February 12, 2002 at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Third Street & Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC
(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and abuse, stated today that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has set a hearing on February 12, 2002 in the public interest law firm’s lawsuit to obtain documents from the Bush-Cheney Administration’s National Energy Policy Development Group. Judicial Watch filed suit for the Energy Policy Development Group documents on July 16, 2001. The Judicial Watch case is before the Honorable Emmet G. Sullivan
In recent days, press coverage has focused on potential legal action by the General Accounting Office (“GAO”). Any GAO action would follow litigation already initiated by Judicial Watch. In fact, the GAO contacted Judicial Watch seeking copies of the Judicial Watch July 16, 2001 complaint and other court filings. While the GAO initiates its action, the Judicial Watch lawsuit is well advanced by six months.
Judicial Watch’s complaint against the Energy Policy Development Group is based on both the Federal Advisory Committee Act (“FACA”) and the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”). Judicial Watch maintains that the Bush-Cheney Administration’s continuing secrecy and intransigence in refusing to make public the documents and activities of the energy task force runs counter to laws requiring openness in federal government deliberations.
The claims of Vice President Cheney and President Bush, that their deliberations with energy industry lobbyists, including Enron, are subject to executive privilege, are simply not provided for in the law.
“We look forward to making our arguments before the court,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. “The American people deserve the facts, and an open, accountable government. That’s what we are seeking in our lawsuit,” added Klayman.
