"This is a major turnaround for Mr. Chung and a significant victory for Judicial Watch," said JW President Tom Fitton, referring to a lower court ruling that had dismissed the case on grounds that the time permitted to file the suit had expired. "The Justice Department tried to get off on a technicality. Thankfully, it did not work. Mr. Chung will have his day in court."

Readers of the JW Report may remember that Judicial Watch, through the testimony of Mr. Chung, further exposed the Clinton Administration's scheme, known as the Chinagate scandal, to solicit illegal campaign contributions from the Communist Chinese military. In fact, Mr. Chung, a former Clinton-Gore fundraiser, helped spearhead the effort, once referring to the Clinton White House as a subway, where one puts in money to "open the gate."

In retaliation for testimony that proved embarrassing to the Clinton Administration, officials at the Justice Department leaked extremely sensitive information regarding Mr. Chung, including his whereabouts, to the New York Times and NBC News. This information, which was protected by the Privacy Act, put Mr. Chung and his family at risk.

Subsequent to the disclosure, Mr. Chung received numerous threats on his life. In fact, the FBI was forced to spirit Chung and his family into hiding in order to avoid Communist Chinese government "hit squads" sent to kill him.

"Officials at the Justice Department either wanted Mr. Chung out of the way, or they were punishing him for telling the truth about the Clinton Administration¹s campaign finance abuses," continued Fitton. "Either way, they will be held accountable."

A lower court had dismissed the case, ruling that Mr. Chung could not file suit because the two-year limitations period had expired. Judicial Watch, however, argued that Mr. Chung was prevented from bringing the suit earlier because of his relationship to the Clinton Justice Department. Thanks to the appeals court, The United States District Court must now consider whether or not to grant Mr. Chung a waiver of the statute of limitations.