Documents recently obtained by Judicial Watch reveal shocking and disturbing facts about how the government mishandled the anthrax attacks against Senators Daschle and Leahy in October 2001. While those in power on Capitol Hill received prompt medical care and attention, government officials allowed the Brentwood postal facility that processed the mail to remain open for four days even after discovering the site was contaminated by anthrax. Two postal workers died and two others were infected with inhalation anthrax they contracted working with mail at the Brentwood facility.

Judicial Watch represents hundreds of Brentwood employees and has filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia seeking a criminal investigation for "reckless endangerment, manslaughter, obstruction of justice and conspiracy," to name a few of the applicable charges.

"The fact is our government sacrificed the lives of blue collar postal workers to save money and to avoid further public relations fallout," said JW Chairman Larry Klayman. "This clearly crosses the line from incompetence to criminal neglect and whoever is responsible will pay. Judicial Watch will see to it."

Through its Freedom of Information Act request, Judicial Watch uncovered the log of what is believed to be a senior postal official that proves the government knew the Brentwood facility was contaminated by anthrax four days before they closed the facility.

On October 18, the log indicates that the USPS knew Brentwood’s 2,200 postal workers were "affected" by anthrax spores as they had isolated the machine that had processed Senator Daschle’s letter and had conducted swab tests that proved it was contaminated or "hot." Yet it was not until late Sunday, October 21, that they finally shut down the facility. Meanwhile, staff members on Capitol Hill some of whom had not even been exposed to anthrax were receiving preventative antibiotic treatment, while postal workers received no such benefit until much later.

By waiting nearly four days to close Brentwood down, the U.S.P.S. violated their own regulations as stated in the Emergency Response to Mail Allegedly Containing Anthrax, which calls for immediate evacuation in such circumstances.

Given that 97% of the postal workers at Brentwood are African American, in addition to the complaint filed with the U.S. Attorney’s office, Judicial Watch has also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to investigate whether there were any violations of the Brentwood postal workers’ civil rights.