 |
|
|
Government Uncovered Freedom of Information Equals Freedom From Corruption Access to information is vital to Judicial Watch's efforts to hold politicians accountable for their actions. Following are excerpts of documents obtained by Judicial Watch during the course of its investigation of Howard Dean's decision to seal his gubernatorial papers. Background Vermont Governor and Democrat Presidential candidate Howard Dean sought to have his gubernatorial records sealed beyond established limits to protect his personal political ambitions. According to press reports, when asked why he decided to shield his gubernatorial papers from public scrutiny, Dean told Vermont Public Radio, "Well, there are future political considerations. We didn't want anything embarrassing in the papers at a critical time in any future endeavor." Dean originally attempted to have his records sealed for 24 years, but had to settle for a 10-year exemption on disclosure. Judicial Watch immediately filed a request for documents to learn the circumstances surrounding the sealed records and is considering filing legal action to have the secret documents released to the American people. Key Excerpts Memorandum from Vermont State Archivist Gregory Sanford to Howard Dean Legal Counsel David Rocchio, August 21, 2000 "The open records law (1 v.S.A. '315) declares, 'it is in the public interest to enable any person to review and criticize [the officers of the government] decisions even though such examination may cause inconvenience or embarrassment.' So the scenario we were discussing - use of the gubernatorial records to embarrass a national campaign - is not one recognized by Vermont law." September 4 Memorandum from Vermont State Archivist Gregory Sanford "David reported that in his initial conversation with the Governor a closure of 24 years was mentioned." "While David and I agreed earlier that 'embarrassment'…was not grounds for exemption, we are really talking about 'ambition.'…Without conceding that a governor's post-administration ambitions are a legitimate basis for closure, can we offer, in the interest of moving forward, eight years?" September 17, 2002 Memorandum from Vermont State Archivist Gregory Sanford. "Governor Dean has decided to extend executive privilege over some of his records for a period of ten years. The ten-year closure was a compromise. I had supported the six year closure…I know I was very reluctant to move beyond the established six-year period." Relevance These documents obtained by Judicial Watch prove that Governor Dean sealed his gubernatorial records to protect his political aspirations. Furthermore, these documents also show that Dean did so against Vermont law, precedent and the wishes of the Vermont State Archivist. Judicial Watch will continue to push for full disclosure of all documents pertaining to Governor Dean's record. Clearly he has something to hide. |
