Printed from JudicialWatch.org
Jul 12, 1999
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Clinton Justice Department/FBI keeps computer database on pro-life leaders

Judicial Watch Files Lawsuit to Uncover Documents and Information; Judicial Watch Told Some in FBI Opposed Database - But Were Overruled by Clinton Justice Department



(Washington, July 12) Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the Clinton Justice Department and FBI on July 9, 1999 to uncover documents on a Justice Department/FBI database on pro-life leaders -- which is called VAAPCON. Judicial Watch requested documents related to this database back in March, but the Clinton Administration has yet to produce one single document, even while admitting "voluminous" documents exist.

Judicial Watch was anonymously informed of the database's existence. Judicial Watch understands that the database was created, using abortion clinic violence as an excuse, over the objections of some in the FBI, but that the upper levels of the Clinton Justice Department ordered its creation anyway. Specifically, some were concerned that the database violated the FBI's own rules and regulations related to keeping data on American citizens. Judicial Watch has information that the database contains biographical information on well known pro-life leaders.

"The Clinton Administration has used and continues to use the FBI as a political weapon against its perceived adversaries. We've seen this in spades in our $90 million Filegate lawsuit," stated Larry Klayman, Chairman and General Counsel of Judicial Watch. "Now we understand that the Clinton Administration is keeping a FBI database on prominent Americans and other citizens who happen to be active in the pro-life movement and who believe it is wrong to kill unborn children."

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