(Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it filed a formal request with former Vermont governor and Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean to release his gubernatorial papers for public review and inspection. In January 2003, Dean entered into a “Memorandum of Understanding Between the Governor and the Secretary of State of Vermont Regarding Archival Storage of Gubernatorial Papers,” effectively sealing his record as Vermont’s governor for ten (10) years.

Consistent with its public interest mission, Judicial Watch requested and was denied access to Dean’s gubernatorial papers in accordance with the provisions of Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 1 Sec. 315 to 320 (the Vermont Open Records Law). Judicial Watch received correspondence from the Vermont Archivist detailing the sealing of Dean’s official papers.

With respect to the basis for Dean’s decision to seal his gubernatorial papers, recent press reports have quoted Dean (in an interview with Vermont Public Radio) as stating: “Well, there are future political considerations. We didn’t want anything embarrassing appearing in the papers at a critical time in any future endeavor.”

“On September 15, 2003, Dean called on Vice President Cheney to ‘level with the American public’ and release the Cheney Energy Task Force records. While we appreciate Dean’s implicit support of our ongoing litigation on behalf of the American people’s interests in accountable and transparent government, we believe he should follow his own advice. Dean’s acting like he has something to hide. It’s time for Dr. Dean to come clean and release his papers,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.