Judicial Watch Sues DoD For Videos Of Attack On Pentagon
Judicial Watch sues DoD for Videos of Attack on Pentagon
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modu...rder=0&thold=0
Sunday, February 26, 2006 - 02:52 PM
From the Desk of Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton:
Dear Friends and Supporters:
Recently, I've received feedback from some of you that the use of bullet points is causing formatting errors in the Weekly Update, making it difficult to read. Hopefully this new format will do the trick.
Here are this week's headlines...
JW Files Two New Lawsuits
As usual, our legal department has been very busy this week. Here is a brief summary of two lawsuits filed over the past few days:
Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Department of Defense for withholding a video(s) that allegedly shows United Flight 77 striking the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. The Pentagon claims it cannot release the video because it is “part of an ongoing investigation involving Zacarias Moussaoui,” but this is a specious argument. Moussaoui already pled guilty in April 2005 for conspiring with al Qaida to fly planes into U.S. buildings.
The death penalty phase of his trial is underway with jury selection nearly complete. What’s left to investigate? Moreover, while the Freedom of Information Act does allow an exemption for ongoing law enforcement investigations, the Defense Department does not even have law enforcement authority over Moussaoui. That belongs to the Department of Justice or the FBI. One reason we’re seeking the information to help put to rest conspiracy theories that a government drone or missile hit the Pentagon rather than the hijacked United airplane. Stay tuned…
Judicial Watch also filed a lawsuit against the Secret Service for failing to release White House visitor logs that reflect the entries and exits of lobbyist Jack Abramoff from the White House. President Bush, of course, has distanced himself from Abramoff saying, when questioned by the press, “I don’t know him.” He has refused, however, to release photographs and other documents that could end the speculation with respect to the nature of their relationship. The White House logs that are the subject of JW’s lawsuit may show 30 visits or they may show 3 visits. We don’t know. The point is we need to get all of the facts on the table about this admitted felon’s contacts with White House officials.
FEC Completes Investigation of Kerry’s 2004 Presidential Campaign
Earlier this week, Judicial Watch got an answer from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) regarding its request for an investigation of John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign. In March 2004, Judicial Watch asked the FEC to investigate a contribution to the Kerry campaign that appeared to be in excess of legal limits. (To see JW’s original letter of complaint, click here.) The FEC responded to JW’s request and announced earlier this week that the contribution was, in fact, within the bounds of campaign finance law.
What did Judicial Watch find suspicious about John Kerry’s fundraising operation? In 2003, with his poll numbers languishing, Kerry provided his cash-starved campaign with $6.4 million of his “own money.” A large portion of these funds – about $5.5 million – came from a bank loan secured by the value of the Kerry family home, then valued at about $6.6 million. Given that Kerry shares ownership of the home with his wife, Theresa Heinz, at best, Kerry had an undivided interest of $3.3 million with which to secure the loan. That means Theresa Heinz, in effect, provided Kerry with an illegal $2.2 million contribution, well beyond the $2,000 individual contribution limit allowed by law. (A loan guarantor is considered a contributor to a campaign and is subject to campaign contribution limits until the loan is paid.)
The FEC, though suspicious at first, said it found no reason to believe laws were violated. The FEC’s analysis reveals the labyrinth of maneuvers Kerry used to finance his campaign. (To read the FEC analysis, click here.) We’re still reviewing the FEC’s decision to see if it can be challenged. In the meantime, however, we are gratified that the FEC took our complaint seriously, initiated an investigation, and held John Kerry to account.
JW Participates in Washington Times Educational Panel on Immigration
Yesterday morning I participated in lively citizens’ forum hosted by The Washington Times, entitled, “The Burden and Benefit of Illegal Immigration in the Washington, DC, Area: What should municipalities be doing to cope with the issue?” The purpose of the event was to “discuss the growing issue of illegal immigration in the Washington area,” paying special attention to day labor sites, school overcrowding, employment, and residential zoning. I pointed out that state and local governments are beginning to be held to account for their complicity in aiding and abetting illegal immigration. The failures of the federal government are bad enough, but when state and local governments provide services to illegal aliens, the problem is worsened. A key step in this accountability process is our lawsuit against a county (Fairfax) and town (Herndon) government in Virginia that are using taxpayer money to promote the illegal hiring of illegal workers. A representative for the Washington, DC’s mayor participated in the event as well and he excitedly promoted how DC police are banned from even asking if a witness or suspect is in our country legally. I suggested it was that this disrespect and disregard for the law by local officials encourages more illegal immigration. The crowd was full of JW supporters and our efforts to promote enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws.
Until next week…
Tom Fitton
President
