 |
 |
 |
|
|
Clinton Administration Uncovered Freedom of Information Equals Freedom From Government Corruption Access to information is vital to Judicial Watch’s efforts to hold politicians and other officials accountable for their actions. This is why the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is such an important tool for Judicial Watch. Each issue of JW Verdict will include an analysis of FOIA documents obtained by Judicial Watch. In this issue, JW Verdict focuses on Judicial Watch’s case against the IRS for its politically motivated and illegal attempted audit of Judicial Watch. On July 8, the IRS finally released 1,500 pages of documents in response to a Freedom of Information Act Request filed by Judicial Watch four years ago. Within these documents lies the "smoking gun" evidence Judicial Watch needs to prove that Bill Clinton and Democrat leaders in Congress pressured the IRS to investigate JW. ey Excerpts from a Letter from Democrat Rep. Charles Rangel to the IRS: "Concern has been expressed that Judicial Watch may be violating the current law prohibition on political activities by tax-exempt organizations, and that the organization may be inappropriately soliciting tax-deductible contributions from the public. Attached are copies of fundraising materials from Judicial Watch. Please review these materials, and refer the file to the IRS’s Tax-Exempt Organization Division for appropriate action. Congressman Frost and I would like to know of the IRS¹s views on this matter." Key Excerpts from a Letter from Marcus Owens, head of the IRS’ Exempt Organizations Division, to Charles Rangel: "We have forwarded the information you provided to the key district with examination jurisdiction over these organizations." Key Excerpts from an E-mail sent to the IRS from the White House: "I have received solicitation for funds and a questionnaire from Larry Klayman, of Judicial Watch. They have targeted you and the Vice President… I think you and your wife have done a great job in spite of the partisan attacks against both of you." Relevance In the words of conservative columnist Bob Novak, "There is now evidence that the audit of [Judicial Watch] was triggered by the [Clinton] White House." The last excerpt, an e-mail sent from the Clinton White House to the IRS, arrived at the agency just two weeks prior to Judicial Watch receiving its first notice of an audit. Furthermore, the Rangel letter and response, along with complaints filed by Senate Democrats Harkin and Bryan and Democrat Rep. Jim Moran, clearly show that prominent liberal Democrat politicians pressured the IRS to investigate Judicial Watch, a clear violation of the law.
info@judicialwatch.org • 1-888-JW-ETHIC
Site hosting and technology by Cory Consulting, Inc. © 1997-2004, Judicial Watch, Inc., All rights reserved. |
