Since 2008, Judicial Watch has actively pursued documents regarding the unprecedented explosion in the size and reach of the government through its use of $24 trillion for "TARP" (Troubled Asset Relief Program) bailouts, "bank rescues" and the Obama administration's economic "stimulus" plan. The $200 billion taxpayer bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is arguably the biggest government corruption scandal in our history.

Judicial Watch's efforts have revealed documents showing Congress' awareness of the poor business practices of Fannie and Freddie at the same time as key members of Congress continued to block attempts to regulate the two Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs). A Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit that we filed against the Department of the Treasury resulted in documents that revealed details of how the government coerced the CEOs of several major banks to accept TARP funds.

Judicial Watch is continuing to investigate the government corruption that contributed to the financial crisis as well as the corruption behind the TARP, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the nationalization of General Motors and the increase of government power over our economy. We have at least 36 FOIA requests and several FOIA lawsuits pending.

Litigation

• Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of the Treasury - Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to obtain documents regarding the October, 2008 meeting between the Treasury and CEOs of major banks
• Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of the Treasury - FOIA lawsuit to obtain documents regarding the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
• Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of the Treasury - FOIA lawsuit to obtain documents regarding the TARP evaluation procedures and correspondence between Rep. Barney Frank and the Treasury regarding OneUnited Bank
• Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of the Treasury - Sept. 18, 2008 bailout briefing held by Ben Bernanke and Henry Paulson
• Judicial Watch v. U.S. Federal Housing Finance Agency - FOIA lawsuit to obtain documents regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's political campaign contributions and policies about such contributions.
• Judicial Watch v. Federal Reserve - visitor logs for meetings with Ben Bernanke and Kevin Warsh

Documents Uncovered

• Treasury Bear Stearns Documents - Part 1
• Treasury Bear Stearns Documents - Part 2
• Treasury Department AIG documents
• Bank Bailout Documents
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
  • Part 3
• Bear Stearns emails

Educational Videos & Pages

• Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Staff Report: The Role of Affordable Housing Policy in Creating the Global Financial Crisis of 2008 - July 7, 2009
• Financial Crisis Program Comparison
• The Truth Behind the Financial Crisis: Watch (Quicktime) or read the transcript - October 23, 2008

Press Releases

• JW Files Two New FOIA Lawsuits against Treasury and Federal Reserve for Documents on Taxpayer Bailouts - November 18, 2009
• JW Uncovers Documents from Treasury Related to Government-Brokered Acquisition of Bear Stearns by JP Morgan - September 17, 2009
• JW Files Landmark Lawsuit to Obtain Documents Regarding Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Political Contributions - August 19, 2009
• JW Sues Treasury for Records on TARP Funds Distributed to Boston Bank after Intervention by Rep. Barney Frank - August 13, 2009
• Judicial Watch Uncovers Documents from Treasury Department Related to AIG Bailout - August 12, 2009
• JW Sues Treasury Department to Obtain Documents on Bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - August 5, 2009
• Judicial Watch Forces Release of Bank Bailout Documents - May 13, 2009
• New Documents Uncovered by Judicial Watch Show Congress Ignored Corruption at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for Years - April 2, 2009

Weekly Updates

• Treasury Documents Uncovered by Judicial Watch Reveal Details of AIG Bailout - August 14, 2009
• JW Sues Treasury Department to Obtain Documents on Bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac - August 7, 2009
• Banks Forced into "Bailout" - May 15, 2009
• What Happens When Politicians Try to Run the Economy? - March 20, 2009
• Federal Government Meddles in Corporate Takeover - February 27, 2009
• Financial Bailout Spirals Out of Control - December 5, 2008
• Judicial Watch to Use Open Records Process to Probe Fannie and Freddie - October 3, 2008
• The Truth Behind the Financial Crisis - September 26, 2008

Blog Entries

• The Fight for Bailout Transparency - Investigations & Research Blog - August 5, 2009
• Rich Actor Wants Stimulus Money - Corruption Chronicles - July 24, 2009
• Millions Wasted on No-Bid Contracts - Corruption Chronicles - July 17, 2009
• Government Spends $700,000 on Lavish Retreats - Corruption Chronicles - July 15, 2009
• The New Economy - Investigations & Research Blog - June 26, 2009
• Obama Blocks Another IG Probe - Corruption Chronicles - June 19, 2009
• Fraud, Abuse In Govt. Bailout Program - Corruption Chronicles - April 23, 2009
• Sen. Dodd's Wife Was AIG Director - Corruption Chronicles - March 24, 2009
• Bailed Out Banks Gave Clinton Millions - November 25, 2008
• Gov't Won't Tell Who Got $2 Trillion Tax Dollars - Corruption Chronicles - November 10, 2008
• Wall Street's Big Bucks Influence Congress - September 23, 2008