Judicial Watch » Investigative Bulletin

Documents Responsive To Judicial Watch’s FOIA Request Seeking Records of the FBI’s Counterterrorism Training Material Review

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:24:51 +0000

On March 8, 2012 Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the FBI in response to reports that the FBI met with “various Islamist and militant Arab groups” to remove “more than 1000 presentations and curricula on Islam from FBI offices around the country that was deemed ‘offensive.’” The FBI released two productions on January 15, 2013 and, after litigation, April 16, 2013 detailing instructions on slide removal and reasons for removing “offensive” slides. The documents can be viewed below. The request remains in litigation.

FOIA source: http://www.investigativeproject.org/3453/islamist-lobbies-washington-war-on-arab

Taxpayers fronting amnesty program?

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:39:35 +0000

La Raza President Janet Murguia testified on April 22, 2013 before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that the 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States would like to learn English. However, she said the cost of filing for amnesty is prohibitive. That said, if illegals must spend all their time scrimping to apply, she concluded, it leaves them no time to assimilate.

As for scrimping to apply for status adjustment, documents uncovered from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) show that the Obama administration’s Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program contains a complex system for DHS to follow in the case of an application that is unpaid due to Non Sufficient Funds. DHS and ICE are famous for saying that all amnesty programs are self-funded by the applicants. But that is obviously not possible where no payment was collected and the deficit is exacerbated when the agency bends over backward to keep unpaid cases alive.

The problem is that legal taxpayers have already fronted the cost of processing an application that is abandoned. Moreover, time, energy, and resources spent attempting to prod applicants into compliance is never offset, even if an applicant ultimately pays because the cost of applications is based on payment in the first instance. So, American taxpayers not only front the cost for abandoned applications but in fact wind up subsidizing the applications of late payers.

This initial release of DACA policy documents came in response to an October 26, 2012 request for records filed with several law enforcement agencies pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552. Judicial Watch launched this investigation based on an anonymous tip that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had been ordered not to conduct background checks on DACA applicants.

Investigation into U.S. Military’s Response to Sequestration

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:21:51 +0000

Judicial Watch on May 25, 2012 launched an investigation into the military’s response to sequestration, which entailed 600 billion dollars of automatic spending cuts to the Pentagon budget slated to take effect in January 2013. Judicial Watch’s investigation was prompted by a report in the Washington Times that military planners had been ordered not to develop a contingency strategy for operating in the event sequestration took place in order to force Congress into repealing the budget-balancing measure. The Washington Times further reported that, despite an order not to make sequestration plans, the military had formed secret cells to plan covertly for such a contingency.

In support of its investigation, Judicial Watch filed public records requests pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, with the Offices of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Inspector General (DOD-IG), as well as the Departments of Defense, Army, Navy, Air Force, and Joint Chiefs seeking:

All communications from January 1, 2012 through the date of the request respecting sequestration, including whether to develop contingency plans at all and, if so, to do so covertly.

The deadline for responding was June 25, 2012. No agency timely complied with the law governing this transaction. OSD produced 10 pages’ worth of responsive documents consisting entirely of congressional correspondence.

As for the rest:

DOD-IG on June 19, 2012 denied Judicial Watch’s request for a public interest fee waiver, which Judicial Watch appealed on June 22, 2012. DOD-IG never issued a determination of Judicial Watch’s fee appeal, nor addressed the substantive request itself.
The Army on January 15, 2013 affirmed its total denial of records, claiming that the agency conducted a legally adequate search and that all six (6) responsive documents located were privileged and, therefore, entirely exempt from compulsory disclosure.
The Navy on November 27, 2012 denied Judicial Watch’s request for a public interest fee waiver but never went on to address the substantive request.
The Air Force on August 22, 2012 asked for an extension in deciding Judicial Watch’s appeal of the agency’s initial “no records” response. As of April 8, 2013, Judicial Watch has heard nothing more from this agency either.

JW Probes Anti-Gun Rights Group Tied to NYC Mayor Bloomberg

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:36:08 +0000

After the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy, President Obama proposed 23 “executive actions” related to gun regulation – none of which, we are told, require congressional action.

President Obama decided in 2011 to bypass Congress and implement his policies by executive fiat. The president calls it his “We Can’t Wait” initiative.

But it is important to point out that President Obama is not the only politician who “can’t wait” to scrap the Second Amendment. This is a fight that is ongoing in thousands of municipalities nationwide — none bigger than New York City.

Judicial Watch filed a New York Freedom of Information Law request with Mayor Bloomberg’s office, seeking the mayor’s communications with an organization called Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG). Bloomberg is a founding member of the group, which advocates for strict gun control laws.

The mayor’s office has yet to respond to Judicial Watch’s request, and it appears a FOIA lawsuit might be in the offing. But this delayed response has not stopped JW from pressing forward with its investigation. And here is a little bit about what JW investigators have discovered about the controversial Bloomberg operation:

Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) has spent at least $840,000 on federal lobbying efforts since 2007, including $210,000 in 2010 and $200,000 in both 2011 and 2012. The specific issues important to MAIG include expanding the background check system and fighting the Tiahart amendments (which require the destruction of records of passed background checks and limiting the use of background check information by law enforcement for other purposes)
Since 2009, MAIG’s sole lobbying firm has been The Raben Group, founded and led by former Clinton Assistant Attorney General Robert Raben.
Moreover, in addition to its explicit lobbying efforts on the policy positions noted above, MAIG has also undertaken a more surreptitious campaign to advance its anti-gun agenda. Through the United Against Illegal Guns Support Fund, MAIG has paid for regional coordinators to be employed in mayors’ offices throughout the country, including Minneapolis, Columbus, Lewiston, Reading, Seattle, a
In 2010 (the last year for which the group’s IRS Form 990 is available), MAIG provided grants totaling more than $371,000 to fund these positions. Importantly, however, the positions are not cost-neutral for the municipalities in which coordinators are installed, meaning taxpayers must foot the bill for the rest.

This funding includes a matching requirement. The recipient of the award funds will be required to pay for all fringe benefits provided to the Regional Coordinator, and any salary paid to the Region

For example, according to a Memorandum of Understanding between MAIG and the City of Columbus uncovered by Judicial Watch:

This funding includes a matching requirement. The recipient of the award funds will be required to pay for all fringe benefits provided to the Regional Coordinator, and any salary paid to the Regional Coordinator in excess of $60,000. The award recipient will also be required to provide appropriate office space and any additional funds necessary beyond the $15,000 in travel support from UAIGSF. The award recipient shall direct the Coordinator to attend national Mayors Against Illegal Guns meetings and events on a regular basis.

And how is MAIG putting these taxpayer dollars to use?

Duties for the Columbus position include recruiting “25 new mayors in the region into the coalition” during the grant year. A separate Memorandum of Understanding between MAIG and the city of Orlando, also uncovered by Judicial Watch, outlines much loftier recruiting goals:

Recruiting and maintaining a coalition of 50+ mayors in Florida, including regular efforts to maintain communications with the mayors to keep them informed and engaged.
Working with faith leaders, domestic violence prevention groups, and other partner citizen groups to support the mayors’ agenda. Recruiting 25 faith leaders who agree to regularly write letters or testify in support of coalition-backed legislation, and communicate with their congregations about the coalition’s agenda.
Supporting coalition efforts to promote responsible firearms sales at local firearms retailers. Identifying 2-3 firearms retailers in Florida to approach, either directly or through intermediaries, about signing on to the coalition’s Responsible Firearms Retail Partnership.
Identifying and reaching out to sportsmen’s organizations sympathetic to the coalition’s mission of keeping illegal guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists. Recruiting a core team of 5-10 sportsmen who could testify at legislative hearings in support of legislation backed by the coalition.

Now these agreements stipulate that “no portion of the grant may be used to support lobbying activities.” However, that seems to be a distinction without a difference, as the requirements for the position include:

Working to pass state or county laws requiring background checks for all gun sales at gun shows and/or a state law requiring the reporting of lost or stolen guns;
Working to pass a state law allowing broader local government control of gun laws so that local governments can enact gun laws that they determine would help protect public safety;
Working to pass a new state law requiring regular gun dealer inspections to detect possible sales to illegal gun traffickers.

So what does all of this mean?

“President Obama may be the ring leader in the attack on the Second Amendment, but he has thousands of foot soldiers in cities across America to do the gritty work of pushing the gun control agenda city by city,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “As these records show, municipalities are essentially responsible for paying part of the cost of recruiting new cities to join these anti-gun lobbying efforts. Judicial Watch is now analyzing the ethical and legal implications of this secretive campaign.”

Stay tuned as the battle over the Second Amendment is just beginning – and Judicial Watch is helping lead the fight for our freedom.

Obama Administration Amnesty Efforts

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 02:09:04 +0000

In the face of the national budget crisis, the Obama administration ramped up its amnesty efforts in January 2013: first, by increasing the availability of deportation waivers; then, by expanding its call center hours to help illegal aliens apply for the waivers. Judicial Watch immediately filed Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking records on both fronts. On March 15, 2013, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) released a two-page email between the agency and a contractor answering six questions about the call center hour expansion. Judicial Watch on March 26, 2013 filed an appeal of the agency’s determination, pointing out that it was impossible for the federal government to have launched such a massive undertaking without any planning or forethought. Interestingly, five days after responding to Judicial Watch’s records request, the agency cancelled its Saturday call center hours.

Background links are here:

Secretary Napolitano Announces Final Rule to Support Family Unity During Waiver Process

and

USCIS National Customer Service Center Adds Saturday Hours

Judicial Watch Benghazi Investigation

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 18:40:46 +0000

Judicial Watch is the leading organization investigating the Benghazi attack of September 11, 2012 which killed Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans. We have filed 12 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests with various government agencies and have three on-going lawsuits. This is all in the effort to force the government to provide more documents and transparency on this overlooked tragedy. Judicial Watch is also seeking to acquire additional information from the survivors of the attack. If there are any Benghazi secrets to uncover or corruption to expose, you can count on Judicial Watch to lead the way.

Judicial Watch even produced a Special Report: The Benghazi Attack of September 11, 2012: Analysis and Further Questions from a Diplomatic Security Service Regional Security Officer and Special Agent closely examining the Obama administration’s actions before, during, and after the assault, as well as the State Department’s commitment to protect overseas diplomats. The new report contains in-depth analysis, conducted exclusively for Judicial Watch by former State Department Security Special Agent Raymond Fournier, examines the critical time period leading up to the Benghazi attack, when repeated requests for increased security were shunned by top State Department officials. It also examines the Obama administration’s official claim that “an obscure Internet video” triggered the attacks, as well as apparently false claims that four top State Department officials had resigned in response to the Department’s December 18 Accountability Review Board report on the attack. And it raises questions as to the internal problems within the Department that may continue to leave overseas diplomats without adequate security.

On February 14th, 2013 we sued the Director of National Intelligence seeking access to records detailing the attack. Specifically, Judicial Watch is seeking a controversial “speaking points” memo indicating that intelligence officials believed from the outset that terrorists were behind the attack despite public statements to the contrary issued by Obama administration officials, including UN Ambassador Susan Rice and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. You can read the lawsuit here: Judicial Watch v. Office of the Dir. of National Intelligence (No. 13-0198)

On February 25th, 2013 we filed another FOIA lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State seeking access to “all videos and photographs” depicting the Benghazi, Libya, Consulate between September 10 and September 13, 2012, the period leading up to, during, and immediately following the attack. You can read that lawsuit here: Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:13-cv-00242)). Specifically, Judicial Watch seeks the following records pursuant to its December 19, 2012, FOIA request: “Any and all videos and photographs depicting U.S. Consulate facilities in Benghazi, Libya (including the Special Mission Compound and the Annex) between September 10, 2012, and September 13, 2012 that were provided to the Accountability Review Board (ARB) for Benghazi and/or to any individual member of the ARB.”

We filed our third FOIA lawsuit on March 5th, 2013 against the U.S. Department of State seeking access to records concerning a contract totaling nearly $400,000 that was awarded to a foreign firm for “Security Guards and Patrol Services” at the Benghazi Consulate prior to the deadly attack of September 11, 2012. The contract was signed on February 17 and May 3, and, at the time, identified only as “Award ID SAQMMA12COO92”. At first the State Department denied hiring security guards, then admitted having provided false information after this WIRED magazine expose. You can read the lawsuit here Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:13-cv-00243).

You can see all filed FOIAs and Lawsuits below under “Official Legal Documents”

To read more about our lawsuits or FOIA requests, please click on the respective press release under “Press Room” below.

Financial Activity Links Anwar al-Aulaqi to 9/11 Hijackers

khrkman — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 13:49:02 +0000

Judicial Watch received documents on March 4, 2013 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that raise new questions about close ties between Anwar al Aulaqi, the U.S.-born terrorist assassinated by a U.S. drone in Yemen on September 30, 2011, and Nawaf al Hazmi and Khalid al Mihdhar, two of the five hijackers who attacked the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. In the documents the FBI describes al Aulaqi as “The Spiritual Leader of the Hijackers.”

Judicial Watch received the documents in response to a June, 2012, Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the FBI and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State and Federal Bureau of Investigations (No. 1:12-cv-00893). They are part of Judicial Watch’s ongoing investigation of al Qaeda in the United States, including its current operations and support network.

Materials received by Judicial Watch reveal the following information the FBI regarded as worthy of investigation in its probe of ties between al Aulaqi and the 9/11 hijackers:

An FBI report dated 9/20/2011 notes that al Aulaqi made purchases at a Texaco in La Mesa, California, “several times a month” over the preceding two years. Reportedly this is the station where hijacker Nawaf al Hazmi worked, as did probable 9/11 co-conspirator Mohdar Abdullah (whose close association with and material assistance to al Hazmi and al Mihdhar is well-documented in the 9/11 Commission’s report).

An undated FBI report indicates an individual received a check for $281.50 from al Aulaqi and wrote a check for $175 to al Hazmi on July 7, 2001. There is no additional information about the transactions. The FBI apparently found the transaction to be of investigative interest because, depending on the identity of the intermediary party, it could indicate direct assistance from al Aulaqi to al Hazmi.

On 9/13/2001, FBI agents took possession of and searched the vehicle al Aulaqi rented in San Diego on 9/8/2001 (which he kept for one day and drove only 37 miles). While there is no report regarding the results of the search, the action highlights the FBI’s interest in al Aulaqi and suspicions about his trip to San Diego, home to both al Hazmi and al Mihdhar leading up to the attacks.

An FBI report dated 10/24/2001 indicates that the Bureau became aware three days after the 9/11 attacks (9/14/2001) that al Aulaqi had rented a Mailboxes Etc. mail drop in Falls Church, VA. The mail box was the subject of a federal grand jury subpoena.

An earlier release of FBI documents obtained by a Judicial Watch FOIA and reported by Fox News suggest that the FBI was aware on September 27, 2001, that al Aulaqi had purchased airplane tickets for three of the 9/11 terrorist hijackers, including mastermind Mohammed Atta. Subsequent to the FBI’s discovery, al Aulaqi was detained and released by authorities at least twice and had been invited to dine at the Pentagon.

In 2010, President Obama reportedly authorized the assassination of al Aulaqi, the first American citizen added to the government’s “capture or kill” list, describing the radical Muslim Cleric as “chief of external operations for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).” The Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department has reportedly determined that targeting and killing of U.S. citizens overseas was legal under domestic and international law.

USDA Cultural Sensitivity Training

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:43:17 +0000

Whistleblower Reveals Indoctrination Program Requiring USDA Staffers to Bang on Tables, Chant, “The pilgrims were illegal aliens”

Judicial Watch has released previously unseen USDA videos revealing a compulsory “Cultural Sensitivity Training” program. A whistleblower reported to Judicial Watch that employees were required to bang on tables, chanting in unison “The pilgrims were illegal aliens” while being instructed to no longer use the word “minorities,” but to replace it with “emerging majorities.” Judicial Watch received the videos pursuant to a May 18, 2012, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

The sensitivity training sessions, described as “a huge expense” by diversity awareness trainer and self-described “citizen of the world” Samuel Betances, were held on USDA premises. The diversity event is apparently part of what USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack described in a memo sent to all agency employees as a “new era of Civil Rights” and “a broader effort towards cultural transformation at USDA.” In 2011 and 2012, the USDA paid Betances and his firm nearly $200,000 for their part in the “cultural transformation” program.

USDA Training Administrator, Vincent Loran, in an October 10, 2011, email previously revealed by Judicial Watch, asked Betances for a copy of a training video vowing to keep it secret. “It will not be used for or show [sic] in any way shape or form,” Loran promised.

To see the entire USDA production uncut watch below:

To see the video clips and press releases click here.

To see all documents regarding this investigation click here.

To read the Corruption Chronicles blog on the investigation click here.

First Family Vacations

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:55:46 +0000

Judicial Watch has taken the lead in exposing the true costs of the Obamas’ personal luxury travel. Using investigations and lawsuits under the Freedom of Information Act, JW exposed the evident waste of taxpayer dollars for Obama family vacations to Spain, South Africa, Aspen, and Mexico. Currently under investigation are the costs of the Obama family spring break to the Caribbean.

“The Obamas’ unnecessary personal luxury travel is an abuse of office in this age of sequester, unemployment, and out of control government debt. Taxpayers are right to wonder why the Obamas repeatedly take personal trips with seemingly little regard for the resulting drain on precious tax dollars.”

– Tom Fitton, President

Most recently Judicial Watch is investigating the following trips and or vacations:

Click on a press release below to see what we have uncovered.

Michelle Obama’s August 2010 Vacation in Spain Cost American Taxpayers $467,585 According to Records Obtained by Judicial Watch (4/26/2013)

Malia Obama’s Trip to Mexico: $115,500.87 (12/6/2012)

Michelle Obama’s Family Ski Trip to Aspen, Colorado Cost Taxpayers at Least $83 Thousand Say Records Obtained by Judicial Watch 7/18/2012)

Judicial Watch Sues Air Force and Secret Service for Records Detailing Michelle Obama’s Family Ski Vacation to Aspen, Colorado (6/5/2012)

Malia Obama Vacations In Mexico With 25 Secret Service Agents (3/20/2012)

Judicial Watch Sues U.S. Air Force for Records Detailing Costs of Michelle Obama’s August 2010 ‘Whirlwind’ Vacation to Spain (3/6/2012)

Judicial Watch Obtains Documents Detailing the Cost to Taxpayers for Michelle Obama’s Family Trip to Africa (10/4/2011)

2010 Marred By Debt, Waste, Costly Hawaiian Vacation (12/1/2010)

$18 million spent on translation services by Bureau of Prisons

doligee@judicialwatch.org — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:07:42 +0000

Judicial Watch obtained 149 pages of documents from the Federal Bureau of Prisons detailing an agency policy to translate documents into 43 languages, with the heaviest emphasis on Spanish because “the single largest group of inmates of foreign nationality are from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.” The agency has gone so far as to develop an in-house of database of jailhouse jargon, stating that the self-produced dictionary would “avoid high costs and potential delay associated with purchasing found translations.” Judicial Watch obtained the documents in response to a December 7, 2011 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking all records under the Obama administration stemming from use of languages other than English in the U.S. penal system. Although the Bureau of Prisons stated in its determination letter to Judicial Watch that it did not hire outside translators, usaspending.gov shows that the U.S. Department of Justice (of which the prison system is a part) has spent more than $18 million on prison-related language services under the Obama administration.

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