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Posted on 12/17/2014 11:32:37 AM PST by jazusamo
Full title: Judicial Watch Joins Sharyl Attkisson in Lawsuit against Justice Department to Obtain FBI Records about Attkisson
(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today that on November 19, 2014, it joined investigative journalist Sharyl Attkisson to file a Freedom of Information (FOIA) lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking “any and all records” relating to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks and other records on the award-winning correspondent. The request includes correspondence between Attkisson and FBI agents. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ( Sharyl Attkisson and Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No:1:14-cv-01944)).
According to documents obtained last month by Judicial Watch in a separate lawsuit, the DOJ and the White House targeted the former CBS correspondent as a result of her investigations into the growing Operation Fast and Furious scandal. In an October 4, 2011, email to White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz, Attorney General Eric Holder’s top press aide, Tracy Schmaler, described Attkisson as “ out of control .” Schmaler added ominously, “I’m also calling Sharryl’s [sic] editor and reaching out to Scheiffer” (an apparent reference to CBS’ Chief Washington Correspondent and Face the Nation moderator Bob Scheiffer). Schultz responded, “Good. Her piece was really bad for the AG.”
The Judicial Watch/Attkisson lawsuit asks, in part, for:
“Any and all records concerned, regarding or relating to Sharyl Attkisson. Such records include, but are not limited to, records of background checks of Sharyl Attkisson, records of communications, contacts, or correspondence between Sharyl Attkisson and employees, officials or agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and records of investigations concerning or regarding Sharyl Attkisson as a victim…”
Operation Fast and Furious was a Justice Department/Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) “ gun-running” operation in which the Obama administration allowed guns to go to Mexican drug cartels.
Attkisson, who in 2012 won both the Emmy and the Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting, first began reporting on Fast and Furious in February 2011 when she broke the story, “Gunrunning scandal uncovered at the ATF.” Since then, she has filed more than 100 stories relating to the gunrunning debacle, many of which were exclusive reports. In her new book “Stonewalled” Attkisson reported that she had received inside information that government-related sources had hacked into both her personal and work computers over a lengthy period of time.
“We are proud to represent Sharyl Attkisson, an independent journalist, who has a demonstrated track-record of refusing to play the Washington media insiders game that covers up or covers over public corruption stories such as Fast Furious,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “We know from the emails we have already obtained that the Obama White House and the Justice Department sought to silence this courageous reporter. Now, we need to find out just how far they went.”
“I am pleased to once again partner with Judicial Watch, which is unmatched in terms of success in litigating Freedom of Information claims against the federal government, whether under Bush or Obama,” added Sharyl Attkisson. “That I’ve had to sue to get my own FBI file is concerning. This administration has a terrible record in respecting the First Amendment rights of journalists.”
The FBI FOIA lawsuit is not the first collaborative effort between Judicial Watch and Attkisson. In August 2014, Judicial Watch teamed with Attkisson file a FOIA lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services to obtain records pertaining to the failed roll-out of President Obama’s health care law.
Their intentions are justified but when/if they get these records, then what?
Eric will investigate Eric?
“Their intentions are justified but when/if they get these records, then what?
Eric will investigate Eric?”
Eric will be gone in 24 months. Just in time for a real investigation by a Republican AG (that is if we can manage to elect a Real Republican to the WH). Who knows, maybe Eric will be a defendant.
Eric-the-Red will be gone but the new AG will cover for him.
The info should be interesting and add more confirmation of this criminal administration.
Ping
BTTT!
Really sucks when the criminals are in charge don’t it.
Absolutely, and this criminal said he was going to “change” the country, he just didn’t say he’d do it illegally.
If Judicial Watch joins the lawsuit, is that a good thing or a sign it’s over and done, a loss with nothing to show for it?
Their intentions are justified but when/if they get these records, then what?
It’s already been decided the Darrell Issa will put on another dog and pony show, everyone will go home and sleep well. It will be just fine.
Sharyl
Attkisson
Ping!
Want on or off this new ping list? Just drop me a FReep mail.
Amazon link to Sharyl's new book.
If I’m not already on it please put me on it. Sharyll is a great journalist! One of the few who really knows her trade and respects it enough to quit when she gets rolled.
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