Judicial Watch Statement Regarding Denial by the Court for Access to Fannie and Freddie’s Political Activity Documents

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton issued the following statement in response a recent court decision to deny access to documents pertaining to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s political campaign contributions and policies related to such contributions:

This shows that the Obama Administration’s commitment to transparency is a big lie. It is incredible that taxpayers are on the line for at least $400 billion, yet cannot access one document from these agencies under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Federal Housing Financial Authority (FHFA) to force the agency’s compliance with a FOIA request, which Judicial Watch submitted on May 29, 2009.

According to Judicial Watch’s motion filed on March 5, 2009, Fannie and Freddie are no longer private enterprises, and therefore their records should be subject to FOIA law:

Until they were seized by FHFA in September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were private corporations with independent directors, officers, and shareholders. Since that time, FHFA, a federal agency subject to FOIA, has assumed full legal custody and control of the records of these previously independent entities. Hence, these records are subject to FOIA like any other agency records.

Judicial Watch is currently considering its option to appeal.