Andrew Weissmann Led Hiring Effort for Mueller Special Counsel FBI Special Treatment for Clinton Demands for Email Investigation

The Judicial Watch

AUGUST 2019 VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 8 VerdictA News Publication from Judicial Watch A News PublicationWWW.JUDICIALWATCH.ORG from Judicial Watch FBI Special Treatment For Clinton Demands For Email Investigation Information Judicial Watch received 218 pages of former FBI officials Peter Strzok-Lisa Page emails, which show then- FBI General Counsel James Baker instructing FBI officials to expedite the release of FBI investigative material to Hillary Clinton’s lawyer, David Kendall, in August 2016. Kendall and the FBI’s top lawyer discussed, specifically, quickly obtaining the “302” report of the FBI/Justice Department interview of Mrs. Clinton. The emails also show the FBI failed to document at least four interviews of witnesses in the Clinton email investigation. The documents were obtained in a Freedom of In- formation Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed after the Justice De- partment failed to respond to a December 4, 2017 FOIA AP PHOTO/MANUEL BALCE CENETA AP PHOTO/MANUEL BALCE CENETA Lisa Page, former FBI attorney Peter Strzok, former FBI request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. deputy assistant director of See FBI on page 2 counterintelligence

3 Andrew Weissmann Led Hiring Message from the President Effort For Mueller Special Counsel 8 Judicial Watch obtained 73 pages of records Court Report from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) containing text messages and calendar entries of Robert Mueller special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, showing he led the hiring effort for the investigation that targeted President Trump. The document production came in response to Judicial Watch’s June 7, 2018 FOIA lawsuit, 12 filed after the Department of Justice failed to Corruption Chronicles respond to a December 15, 2017 FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 16 1:18-cv-01356)). Judicial Watch seeks: Government Uncovered “All text messages sent to or from DOJ official Andrew Weissmann regarding 19 AP PHOTO/TONY GUTIERREZ In the Media Donald Trump and/or Hillary Clinton Andrew Weissmann, member of Special Counsel Robert between August 8, 2016 and the present Mueller’s legal team, called “Mueller’s Pit Bull” by New See WEISSMANN on page 6 York Times Cover Story FBI From page 1 www 1:18-cv-00154)) for: “The documents also show l “All records of communications, the FBI failed to timely Judicial Watch is a conservative, including but not limited to, non-partisan American educational emails, text messages and instant document interviews in the foundation that promotes transparency, chats, between FBI official Peter accountability and integrity in Clinton email ‘matter’ — government, politics and the law. Strozk and FBI attorney Lisa Page; further confirming the whole Judicial Watch advocates high standards of ethics and morality in America’s l “All travel requests, travel autho- investigation was a joke.” public life and seeks to ensure that rizations, travel vouchers and ex- public officials do not abuse the powers ~ Judicial Watch President entrusted to them by the American people. pense reports of Peter Strozk; and Tom Fitton Judicial Watch Board of Directors Chris Farrell, Tom Fitton, Paul Orfanedes l “All travel requests, travel autho- www Editor rizations, travel vouchers and ex- Carter Clews pense reports of Lisa Page.” Editorial Assistant Janice Rurup On August 16, 2016, at 10:02 as soon as possible and then focus Senior Writer p.m., Baker emails then-Associate on the rest of the stuff.” Dr. Larry Hunter Deputy Director David Bowdich; Circulation Director Michael Steinbach, former execu- The following day, August 17, John Albertella tive assistant director for national 2016, Kendall sent a FOIA/Privacy Act Direct Response Marketing Manager security; former Acting Assistant request on “behalf of former Secretary Ariana Azizkeya Director Jason V. Herring; former FBI of State Hillary Rodham Clinton” to Graphic Design Consultant lawyer Lisa Page; former Principal the FBI’s top lawyer with a request for Jeanne Minnix Deputy General Counsel Trisha An- “expeditious processing.” Baker pass- Production and Traffic Manager Tim Wathen derson; Michael Kortan, FBI assis- es this request to Bowdich, Steinbach, Public Affairs Director tant director for public affairs, now Herring, Page and Anderson: Jill Farrell retired; James Rybicki, former chief Member Services of staff to James Comey; and others “In my view, we need to move as 1 (888) 593-8442 to inform them that he “just spoke” quickly as possible on this, but Fax (202) 646-5199 with Clinton’s lawyer, Kendall, who pursuant to David’s oral request Social Media requested documents from the FBI. last night, we should focus first www.JudicialWatch.org Baker says he told Kendall he would on Secretary Clinton’s 302…Is the www.facebook.com/JudicialWatch “need to submit a request.” Baker end of this week out of the ques- www.twitter.com/JudicialWatch tells them, “I said we would process tion for her 302?” Send your comments it expeditiously:” and questions to Editor, The Judicial Watch Verdict® In a follow-up email exchange, c/o [email protected] “I just spoke with David Kend- the same day, Anderson arranged for Herring, Page, former FBI Assistant Annual suggested donation is $35. all…I conveyed our view that in Requests should be sent to: order to obtain the documents Director and head of the Office of The Judicial Watch Verdict® [FBI investigative material] they Congressional Affairs Gregory Brow- Judicial Watch are seeking they need to submit er, Strzok and others to “coordinate 425 Third Street, SW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20024 a request pursuant to the Privacy a plan for processing and releasing” Act and FOIA. I said they could Clinton’s 302, though one official The Judicial Watch Verdict® is published monthly and distributed to its members, submit a letter to me covering reminds others that they should pro- supporters and interested parties by both statutes. They will send it in cess the request “consistent” with Judicial Watch, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit the morning. I said that we would other requests. organization incorporated in 1994 process it expeditiously. David Then, in an August 21, 2016 in the District of Columbia. asked us to focus first on the Sec- email exchange, Baker tells his peo- Copyright 2019 by Judicial Watch © All rights reserved. retary’s 302 [FBI interview report]. ple that he would “alert” Kendall Editorial content may be duplicated with I said OK. [Redacted] We will shortly before Clinton’s 302 was to attribution and without permission. have to focus on this issue tomor- be posted on the FBI’s FOIA Vault August 2019 l Vol. 25 l Issue 8 row and get the 302 out the door See FBI on page 4

2 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT A Full Exposé Of The Ohrs By Tom Fitton

This was during the time of his deep www involvement in the highly controver- sial Justice Department surveillance Ohr is at the center of the of the Trump presidential campaign. Deep State assault on The bonus was nearly double the President Trump, and these $14,250 performance award he was given on November 29, 2015. latest documents are just Bruce Ohr was married to Nellie more evidence of the Deep

JUDICIAL WATCH Ohr of Fusion GPS and was removed State conspiracy to topple because of his conflict of interest the President of the United Judicial Watch has done it again. and role as conduit for Fusion GPS We just obtained incredible new material. The documents show that States. documents that show the Depart- Ohr was removed from his posi- ment of Justice gave substantial tion as Associate Deputy Attorney www extra income to one of the most con- General on December 6, 2017. On troversial Russiagate perps — Justice January 7, 2018, Ohr was reassigned complex entanglement in the fester- Department official Bruce Ohr. from his position as director of the ing coup attempt. New Justice Department docu- Organized Crime Drug Enforcement One of our Freedom of Informa- ments show that Bruce Ohr received Task Force (OCDETF) and shifted to tion Act lawsuits recently produced $42,520 in performance bonuses counselor for international affairs in information from the Justice De- during the Trump/Russia investiga- the Department of Justice Criminal partment showing a conversation tion. In fact, his bonus was nearly Division. Ohr received a $2,600 pay between former Deputy Assistant twice as much in 2016 as it was the increase. Secretary of State for the Bureau previous year. These documents will raise ques- of European and Eurasian Affairs This revelation came in Notifica- tions as to whether the conflicted Kathleen Kavalec and Bruce Ohr, in tion of Personnel Action (SF-50) and Bruce Ohr, whom the FBI used to which they discussed the targeting Request for Personnel Action (SF-52) launder information from Christo- of Donald Trump with Steele dossier forms that we requested under the pher Steele, was rewarded for his role material. In discussing a meeting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). in the illicit targeting of President with the potential source for a Moth- The documents show that on Trump. er Jones article accusing the Trump November 13, 2016, Ohr was given We have five current lawsuits campaign of taking money from a a performance award of $28,000. pursuing information on Bruce Ohr’s Russian American oil magnate, as well as Christopher Steele’s connection to that source, Kavalec emails Ohr citing the accusatory Mother Jones article. Ohr says, “I really hope we can get something going here.” We also obtained an email revealing that Ohr’s wife Nellie informed him that she was deleting emails sent from his Justice Department email account. This email came as part of records we obtained through a March 2018 FOIA lawsuit filed after the Justice Department failed to respond to a December 2017 FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:18-cv-00490)). Nellie writes to Bruce: AP PHOTO/PABLO MARTINEZ MONSIVAIS) Bruce Ohr, former associate deputy attorney general and former director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force at Justice Department See MESSAGE on page 5

www.JudicialWatch.org 3 Cover Story Fight Corruption FBI And Receive From page 2 www Income For Life webpage. On September 2, 2016, the FBI announced the release of Clin- “David [Kendall] asked us to ton’s interview documents. focus first on the Secretary’s Finally, on August 24, 2016, the 302 [FBI interview report]. acting FBI FOIA unit chief says he sees “no problem” with giving Hil- I said OK. [Redacted]” lary’s attorney a heads up before her ~ Former FBI General Counsel records were posted publicly on the James Baker Internet. Other documents show that on www August 5, 2016, Page, Strzok and FBI intelligence analyst Jonathan Moffa knowledge, yes they will when are notified by an FBI assistant gen- Pete identified for [redacted] the eral counsel from the national secu- DOJ edits that needed to be made rity law branch that additional 302s to the 302s [redacted] discovered were in need of processing: that there were four (I think) 302s that had never been written. “Today [Redacted] brought over What I don’t know is whose 302s additional 302s from the WFO they are but unless Pete or Jon are [Washington Field Office]. Are able to respond in short order, I You can fight corruption and those supposed to go through the would throw them on the pile for receive income for life through a redaction process for production redactions. Thanks so much.” Charitable Gift Annuity with Judicial to DOJ on Monday? We’re trying Watch. to figure out what needs to be On August 24, 2016, Daily Beast If you are 55 or older and live in a completed this weekend.” reporter Shane Harris sent an inquiry qualifying state*, you could receive to the FBI asking if Comey’s admis- income for life through a Charitable Page responds by writing to Str- sion to Congress was accurate that Gift Annuity with Judicial Watch. A zok, Moffa and others that four FBI Hillary’s lawyers at William & Con- minimum irrevocable donation of 302 reports of interviews related to nolly did not possess the security $5,000 is required, of which a portion the Clinton “Midyear Exam” investi- clearances needed to see and possess is tax-deductible. gation had never even been written: highly classified Hillary emails being For a free no-obligation illustration stored at their law offices. Harris’ of how a Charitable Gift Annuity “[Redacted] to the best of my question set off a scramble at the top can work for you, please contact of the FBI all the way up to Comey Steve Andersen at the Judicial over the next 28 hours, producing a Watch Development Office at (888) seven-page (mostly redacted) email 593-8442 or by email at sandersen@ discussion, with Lisa Page conclud- judicialwatch.org ing, “Could we say something more If your age is: You could earn: equivocal?” In a September 1, 2016 email 60 4.7% exchange, Page, Strzok, Office of 65 5.1% Public Affairs official Michael Kortan 70 5.6% and Special Agent Richard Quinn 75 6.2% discuss an email from The Hill’s John Solomon, wherein Solomon forward- 80 7.3% ed them his draft article for Circa. 85 8.3% com citing “government sources” 90+ 9.5% detailing extensive evidence the FBI had collected, which showed (Single-life rates. Call for two-life rates.) Hillary Clinton “violated federal re- *Not available in Hawaii and cord-keeping laws” through her use Washington state. of a private BlackBerry and server, FBI building, Washington, D.C. See FBI page 6

4 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Message from the President Message From page 3

“From: Nellie Ohr some “Russian analysts” to discuss Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2016 a variety of topics with Ohr, Holtyn 12:49 PM and other DOJ officials. Among To: Ohr, Bruce (ODAG) those topics to be discussed is “Im- Subject: Re: Analyst Russian pact of Russian influence operations Organized Crime – April 2016 in Europe (‘PsyOps/InfoWar’).” Holtyn responds with, “I haven’t “Thanks! I’m deleting these had a chance to confer with Bruce emails now.” yet, but would certainly love to meet with the ‘A Team’!” Bruce Ohr then The full email exchange, which says, “That time works for me as comes as part of 339 pages of heavily well.” Bress then provides the per- redacted records we obtained from sonal details/passport numbers of the VICTORIA JONES/PA WIRE URN:30440597 the Justice Department, is between Christopher Steele, former British spy and author German analysts who will be meeting of Trump Dossier Bruce Ohr, Lisa Holtyn, Nellie Ohr with Holtyn and Ohr. Holtyn tells and Stefan Bress, a first secretary at Bress that the Ohrs would like to host of Nellie Ohr’s and the Justice the German Embassy. the German delegation for dinner Department’s communications about Nellie Ohr’s email to Bruce Ohr and notes that Joe Wheatley and Russia. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) has the same subject line as an Ivana Nizich (a husband/wife team of recently wrote up a criminal referral email exchange with the subject line Justice Department organized crime concerning her testimony before “Analyst Russian Organized Crime – prosecutors and friends of the Ohrs) Congress, in which she claimed she April 2016,” in which Bress initiates would join them as well. had no knowledge of what was going a discussion with Bruce Ohr and Until he was demoted for his con- on during the Russia investigation at his top aide, Lisa Holtyn, proffering nection to the anti-Trump dossier, Justice Department. Bruce Ohr was a top official at the Nellie Ohr’s email is disturbing www Department of Justice. A House In- and suggests documents relevant to telligence Committee memo released the improper targeting of President Rep. Mark Meadows by Chairman Devin Nunes said that Trump were destroyed. (R-NC) recently wrote up a Nellie Ohr was “employed by Fusion All of this is in addition to other GPS to assist in the cultivation of smoking-gun emails from Ohr, which criminal referral concerning opposition research on Trump” and show he remained in regular contact Nellie Ohr’s testimony that Bruce Ohr passed the results of with former British spy and Fusion before Congress, in which that research, which was paid for by GPS contractor Christopher Steele after Steele was terminated by the she claimed she had no the Democratic National Commit- tee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton FBI in November 2016 for revealing knowledge of what was campaign, to the FBI. The “salacious to the media his position as an FBI going on during the Russia and unverified” dossier was used to confidential informant. The records investigation at Justice obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveil- show that Ohr served as a go-between lance Act (FISA) surveillance war- for Steele by passing along informa- Department. rant to spy on Carter Page. tion to “his colleagues” on matters www These documents are part relating to Steele’s activities. Ohr also set up meetings with Steele, regularly talked to him on the telephone and provided him assistance in dealing Announcing Tom Fitton’s Judicial Watch Video Weekly Update with situations Steele was confronting with the media. NOW, YOU CAN WATCH TOM FITTON’S JUDICIAL WATCH VIDEO WEEKLY UPDATE Our work on this Deep State EVERY FRIDAY ON JUDICIAL WATCH’S OWN YOUTUBE CHANNEL! conspiracy is relentless. We just sued the Justice Department for Incisive, exciting and informative, Weekly Update provides you with Tom’s unique communications between Bruce Ohr insights into the week’s top JW news stories. It’s “must-watch” video at its best. and another of the pivotal players in (Simply type in JWatch.us/subscribe) See MESSAGE page 7

www.JudicialWatch.org 5 Cover Story FBI Weissmann From page 4 From page 1 despite the security and legal risks [December 15, 2017]. is a registered Democrat, and records she was told they posed. Solomon show that Atkinson donated $200 to asked for any final “guidance” from “All calendar entries, whether in Clinton’s campaign in 2016. Atkinson the FBI before publishing. Page physical or electronic form, for also became part of the Mueller team. writes to Moffa, Strzok and a re- Weissmann from January 1, 2015 Weissmann also interviewed dacted FBI official, it was “pretty to the present [December 15, Justice Department Deputy Assistant inaccurate,” but provided nothing 2017].” Attorney General Greg Andres for the to support her charge of its inac- team on June 13, 2017. Andres do- curacy. Judicial Watch’s work on Weissmann was formerly the nated $2,700 to the campaign for Sen. the Hillary Clinton email scandal is Obama-era chief of the Justice Depart- Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in 2018 cited extensively in the column, and ment’s Criminal Fraud Section. and $1,000 to the campaign for Dem- former U.S. Attorney Matt Whitaker Weissmann’s calendar entries pro- ocrat David Hoffman in 2009. Andres was quoted as well, saying a special vided to Judicial Watch start in May is a registered Democrat. His wife, prosecutor was needed to look into 2017, even though the lawsuit sued Ronnie Abrams, a U.S. district judge Hillary’s use of the personal server. for records going back to 2015. The in Manhattan, was nominated to the On August 16, 2016, after Con- few text messages produced by the bench in 2011 by Obama. He joined gress requested that the FBI supply Justice Department did not specify the the Mueller team in August 2017. additional copies of the binders of year sent or received. The same day’s calendar entry Clinton server-investigation materi- Weissman’s calendar shows that he shows a reference to “MLARS [Mon- als, an unidentified FBI official com- began interviewing people for inves- ey Laundering and Asset Recovery plained to his colleagues of being tigator jobs on the Mueller operation Section]” at the Department of Justice understaffed and under-supplied: almost immediately after it was an- and to “Cyprus MLAT [Mutual Legal nounced that he had joined the team Assistance Treaty].” “We literally do not have the of- in early June. The calendar references an ap- fice supplies to do this. Nor do I On June 5, 2017, he interviewed pointment on June 15, 2017 to “NY have the IAs [Investigative Assis- former chief of the Public Corrup- knock-and-talks.” The same day, tants/Analysts] for assistance…. tion Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Weissmann has a note for “Ethics These binders are huge and each for the Southern District of New Training Session.” one took hours to compile. York, Andrew Goldstein. Goldstein On June 16, 2017, he makes a *** contributed a combined $3,300 to reference to “Rule 4.2,” concerning “I am not trying to throw Obama’s campaigns in 2008 and 2012. the propriety of lawyers talking to shade…. I just wish decisions His wife, Julie Rawe, was a reporter witnesses represented by counsel. could get made by considering and editor for Time for 13 years, until On June 27, 2017, Weissmann resources. 2013. He became a lead prosecutor conducts more hiring interviews. for Mueller. On June 28, 2017, he notes discus- “I need people in [room] 7947 The next day, on June 6, 2017, sion of a grand jury taking place. ready to go in the early AM and a Weissmann had a meeting with On Independence Day, July 4, charge card for Staples.” “FARA [Foreign Agents Registration 2017, Weissmann holds a “Team Act] counsel.” Leader Meeting” and a “Daily Ops “These incredible documents Weissmann interviewed another Meeting” in the Special Counsel’s show the leadership of the FBI prosecutor, Kyle Freeny, from the conference room. rushed to give Hillary Clinton her Justice Department Money Launder- On August 3, 2017, there is a FBI interview report shortly before ing Section for the team on June 7, meeting about a Manafort “reverse the presidential election,” said Ju- 2017. Freeny contributed a total of proffer.” dicial Watch President Tom Fitton. $500 to Obama’s presidential cam- On November 20, 2017, there is “And documents show the FBI failed paigns and $250 to Hillary Clinton’s. a meeting regarding a “proffer,” and to timely document interviews in She was later detailed to the Mueller the same day they have a call regard- the Clinton email ‘matter’ — further investigation. ing Skadden attorney Alex van der confirming the whole investigation Weissmann interviewed a trial Zwaan, who later pled guilty to a was a joke. Attorney General Barr attorney who worked with him in false-statements charge. can’t reopen the Clinton email inves- the Criminal Fraud Section, Rush On Thanksgiving Day, 2017, tigation soon enough.” Atkinson, on June 9, 2017. Atkinson See WEISSMANN page 7

6 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Cover Story Message from the President Weissmann Message From page 6 From page 5 www Weissmann convened a Team the Deep State anti-Trump collusion Manafort Meeting at FBI. These documents show — former FBI official Peter Strzok On Christmas Day 2017, he held Andrew Weissmann, an (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of a Team Manafort Meeting and a Daily anti-Trump activist, had a Justice (No. 1:19-cv-01082)). We are Ops Meeting. challenging the Justice Department’s On New Year’s Day 2018, Weiss- hand in hiring key members extraordinary claim that there are no mann held a Team Manafort Meeting. of Mueller’s team – who also records of communications between Weissmann held many meetings happened to be political Strzok and Ohr in light of the preem- throughout the period regarding opponents of President inent role both individuals played in Dutch attorney Alex van der Zwaan, the Deep State effort to undermine the who was sentenced for lying to in- Trump.” Trump campaign and administration. vestigators, including a February 11, ~ Judicial Watch President In addition, Ohr himself testified be- 2018 meeting (followed nine days Tom Fitton fore Congress that he did, in fact, meet later by van der Zwaan’s guilty plea). and communicate with Strzok. Weissmann’s text messages include www We also want records about the a March 11 (year not provided) mes- agency’s involvement in persuading sage indicating that he landed in the President Trump to defer his Septem- U.K., and on March 15, he received a ing decisions to Andrew Weissmann. ber 2018 decision to declassify Jus- text from someone who says, “Long No wonder it took well over a year tice Department documents related time no see. Re reports that OSC [Of- to get this basic information, and yet, to the Russia investigation (Judicial fice of Special Counsel] subpoenaing the Deep State Justice Department is Watch v U.S. Department of Justice documents at Trump’s business, my still stonewalling on other Weissmann (No. 1:19-cv-00507)). Our lawsuit sources say must take a hard look at documents!” is also seeking Justice Department [Redacted].” Judicial Watch previously released official Ohr’s records of communi- “These documents show Andrew documents showing strong support cations around the time of Trump’s Weissmann, an anti-Trump activist, by Weissmann for former Acting declassification announcement. had a hand in hiring key members of Attorney General Sally Yates’ refusal And, we filed suit for details Mueller’s team — who also happened to enforce President Trump’s Mid- of the “302” reports from the FBI to be political opponents of President dle East travel ban executive order. interview with Ohr. The interviews Trump,” stated Judicial Watch Presi- Weissmann reportedly also attended could be key to understanding how dent Tom Fitton. “These documents Hillary Clinton’s Election Night party information from anti-Trump dos- show that Mueller outsourced his hir- in New York. sier author, British spy Christopher Steele, was transmitted to the FBI. (Judicial Watch v U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:18-cv-02107)). The House Intelligence Committee memo released by Chairman Devin Nunes on February 2 says that Bruce’s wife, Nellie Ohr, was “employed by Fusion GPS to assist in the cultivation of opposition research on Trump” and that Bruce Ohr passed the results of that research, which was paid for by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and the Hillary Clinton campaign, to the FBI. Ohr is at the center of the Deep State assault on President Trump, and these latest documents are just more evidence of the Deep State conspiracy to topple the President of the United States. U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.

www.JudicialWatch.org 7 Judicial Watch Court Report Security Official Twice Warned Clinton About Unsecure BlackBerrys And Emails Judicial Watch released a deposition transcript of Eric Boswell, the former assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security during Hillary Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state, in which he reveals that Hillary Clin- ton was warned twice against using unsecure BlackBerrys and personal emails to transmit classified material. A full transcript of the deposition is available on the Judicial Watch website: http://jwatch.us/jw-boswell Boswell, who was responsible for securing classified and national SHUTTERSTOCK Eric Boswell, former assistant secretay of state Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state security information stated: for diplomatic security

“They had come from the cam- Additionally, Boswell stated that l Clinton assured him that she paign trail and they were… he and other former State Department “gets it” when he informed her wedded to their BlackBerrys… employees “were surprised” that Clin- about dangers of BlackBerrys. They wanted to be able to have ton used clintonemail.com to conduct them at their desks where they official government business. l Clinton and her staff were “wed- were working, and they weren’t In his deposition, Ambassador ded to their blackberries” and allowed to have that.” Boswell stated: wanted to continue using them in secure areas even after warning l Hillary Clinton and other Senior because it was a “convenience www State Department officials were issue” to them. warned in 2009 that “any unclas- Boswell and other former sified Blackberry is highly vul- l He and other former State Depart- State Department employees nerable in any setting to remotely ment employees “were surprised” “were surprised” to and covertly monitoring con- to learn that Clinton used clintone- versations, retrieving emails and mail.com to conduct official gov- learn that Clinton used exploiting calendars.” ernment business, and they were clintonemail.com to not aware of such activity while l Clinton was warned again in 2011 still employed by the government. conduct official government that “We also urge Department business, and they were users to minimize the use of per- Boswell was deposed as part of sonal web email for business, as the discovery granted to Judicial not aware of such activity some compromised home systems Watch by U.S. District Court Judge while still employed by the have been reconfigured by these Royce C. Lamberth in its Freedom actors to automatically forward of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit government. copies of all composed emails to involving former Secretary of State www an undisclosed recipient.” Hillary Clinton’s unsecured, nongov- See WARNED on page 9

8 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Court Report Warned From page 8 www ernment email system (Judicial Watch correspondence and records for v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:14- Hillary Clinton and other State Hillary Clinton and other cv-01242)). Department officials; Senior State Department Judicial Watch was allowed both officials were warned in to depose under oath and to submit l Heather Samuelson, the former written questions to be answered State Department senior adviser 2009 that “any unclassified under oath to former Clinton aides, who helped facilitate the State Blackberry is highly State Department officials and others: Department’s receipt and release of Hillary Clinton’s emails; vulnerable in any setting l Justin Cooper, a former aide to remotely and covertly to Bill Clinton who reportedly l Monica Hanley, Hillary Clinton’s had no security clearance and is former confidential assistant at monitoring conversations, believed to have played a key role the State Department; retrieving emails and in setting up Hillary Clinton’s exploiting calendars.” nongovernment email system; l Lauren Jiloty, Clinton’s former special assistant; www l John Hackett, a State Department records official “immediately l E.W. Priestap, who served as responsible for responding to assistant director of the FBI’s requests for records under the counterintelligence division and communications adviser who Freedom of Information Act”; helped oversee both the Clinton attempted to orchestrate a email and the 2016 presidential campaign to “reinforce” Obama l Jacob “Jake” Sullivan, Hillary campaign investigations. Priestap and to portray the Benghazi Clinton’s former senior adviser testified in a separate lawsuit that consulate terrorist attack as being and deputy chief of staff; Clinton was the subject of a grand “rooted in an Internet video, and jury investigation related to her not a failure of policy”; and l Sheryl Walter, former State De- BlackBerry email accounts; partment director of the Office of l One other person to be designat- Information Programs and Ser- l Susan Rice, President Obama’s for- ed by the State Department. vices/Global Information Services; mer UN ambassador who appeared on Sunday television news shows Judge Royce Lamberth ordered l Gene Smilansky, a State Depart- following the Benghazi attacks, that the Boswell video be sealed. ment lawyer; blaming a “hateful video.” Rice “Thanks to our court-ordered was also Obama’s national security discovery, we now have confirmation l Monica Tillery, a State Depart- adviser involved in “unmasking” that Hillary Clinton was warned by ment official; the identities of senior Trump offi- the top security official in the State cials caught up in the surveillance Department that unsecure Blackber- l Jonathon Wasser, who was a man- of foreign targets; ry and email use was a security risk, agement analyst on the Executive yet Hillary Clinton ignored these Secretariat staff. Wasser worked l Ben Rhodes, an Obama-era warnings,” said Judicial Watch Presi- for Deputy Director Clarence Fin- White House deputy strategic dent Tom Fitton. ney and was the State Department In June 2017, Judicial Watch employee who actually conducted submitted evidence to Judge Sulli- the searches for records in re- van showing that former Secretary sponse to FOIA requests to the of State Hillary Clinton knowingly Office of the Secretary; used an unsecure BlackBerry device despite being warned by “security l Clarence Finney, the deputy hawks” against doing so. director of the Executive Secre- In a related case, in 2016, Judicial tariat staff who was the principal Watch took depositions of Cheryl adviser and records management Mills, Huma Abedin, Patrick Ken- expert in the Office of the Secre- nedy, Stephen Mull, Karin Lang and tary responsible for control of all Bryan Pagliano.

www.JudicialWatch.org 9 Court Report Emails Show State Official And Ohr Targeted Trump With Steele Dossier Material

Judicial Watch released four lawsuit filed against the Justice www pages of documents from the U.S. Department after it failed to respond Department of Justice showing a to a May 29, 2018 FOIA request “There’s now no conversation between former Deputy (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of doubt that Bruce Assistant Secretary of State for the Justice (No. 1:18-cv-01854)). Judicial Ohr and the Obama Bureau of European and Eurasian Watch seeks: Affairs Kathleen Kavalec and former State Department Associate Deputy Attorney General l “All records from the Office of were working the Bruce Ohr, discussing the targeting the Deputy Attorney General Clinton gang to target of Donald Trump with Steele dossier relating to Fusion GPS, Nellie material. Ohr and/or British national President Trump” In discussing a meeting with the Christopher Steele, including potential source for a Mother Jones but not limited to all records of ~ Judicial Watch President article accusing the Trump campaign communications about and with Tom Fitton of taking money from a Russian Fusion GPS officials, Nellie Ohr www American oil magnate, as well as and Christopher Steele. Christopher Steele’s connection to that source, Kavalec emails Ohr l “All records from the office of (including those of former citing the accusatory Mother Jones former Associate Deputy Attorney Associate Deputy Attorney article. Ohr says, “I really hope we General Bruce G. Ohr relating General Ohr) about and with can get something going here.” to Fusion GPS, Nellie Ohr and/ Fusion GPS officials, Nellie Ohr Judicial Watch obtained the or British national Christopher and Christopher Steele. records through its August 2018 Steele, including but not limited Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to all records of communications l “All records from the office of the Director of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Bruce Ohr email to former Justice Department official Kathleen Kavalec Force relating to Fusion GPS, Nellie Ohr and/or British national Christopher Steele, including but not limited to all records of communications (including those of former Organized Crime Task Force Director Bruce Ohr) about and with Fusion GPS officials, Nellie Ohr and Christopher Steele.”

In a November 21, 2016 email exchange, Kavalec thanks Bruce Ohr for “coming by” to discuss the work of the OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force). Kavalec provides Ohr with links to Mother Jones and Open Secrets articles that suggest a Russian American oil magnate gave money to Trump’s campaign. Ohr responds, “I really hope we See OHR on page 11

10 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Court Report Ohr From page 10 can get something going here.… We disputes some of the details asserted terminated by the FBI in November will take another look at this.” by Steele — indicating these were 2016 for revealing to the media Kavalec then replies to Ohr, both researched and disproven. his position as an FBI confidential saying that she had just reviewed Kavalec reported her findings directly informant. the notes from her October 2016 to the FBI. meeting with Steele stating, “I see “These documents are a shocking Chris [Steele] said [Simon] Kukes example of the Deep State plotting has [sic] some connection to Serge against President Trump — just Millian.” Millian is a Belarus-born weeks after he was elected,” said businessman who was an alleged Judicial Watch President Tom source for the anti-Trump dossier. Fitton. “There’s now no doubt that Join over 5.3 million Facebook He developed a relationship with Bruce Ohr and the Obama State Trump campaign aide George Department were working the Friends by “liking us” at Papadopoulos in 2016. Clinton gang to target President www.facebook.com/judicialwatch Kavalec recently came to national Trump.” attention when her notes from her Recently, Judicial Watch October 11, 2016 meeting with uncovered emails from Bruce Ohr dossier author Steele were revealed. showing that the former associate In her notes, Kavalec said Steele told deputy attorney general remained in her of “a technical/human operation regular contact with former British Follow us on Twitter and Instagram run out of Moscow targeting the spy and Fusion GPS contractor election.” In Kavalec’s notes, she Christopher Steele after Steele was

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www.JudicialWatch.org 11 Corruption Chronicles Mexican Cartels Among Greatest Criminal, Security, Public Health Threat to U.S.

Mexican drug cartels have headquarters throughout the United States and are one of the country’s greatest criminal, national security and public health threats, according to a veteran Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) senior agent pushing the federal government to designate the cartels as Foreign Ter- rorist Organizations (FTO). “The Mexican cartels have left a trail of blood using intimidation and terrorist acts of ruthless violence,” said Derek S. Maltz, a narco-terror expert who helped establish the Counter Narco-Terrorism Operations

Center (CNTOC) before retiring from AP PHOTO/ LOUIS LANZANO Derek Maltz, special agent in charge of Drug Enforcement Administration operations, shows what a the DEA. CNTOC has busted many $10 bag of heroin sold on the street looks like. big-time narco-terrorism operations, including a money-laundering car bombings, dissolving humans in “appropriate means to mitigate and scheme that supported the Lebanese acid, mass murders, torture, bomb- eventually eliminate the operations terrorist group Hezbollah. ings and political assassinations,” of the cartels.” Last week a criminal “The cartels engage in beheadings, Maltz said. “Their actions are consis- justice committee heard testimony as tent with the behaviors of traditional the resolution advances in the Ohio www terrorists, and they have infiltrated legislature. Maltz was a key expert the highest levels of the Mexican gov- witness, telling the panel that cartels “The cartels engage in ernment with bribes and corruption.” “have major hubs in Southern Cali- beheadings, car bombings, The former DEA agent added, “Mex- fornia, Arizona, Chicago, Texas, New dissolving humans in acid, ican drug cartels have utilized tech- York and Atlanta” and have “expand- niques that focus on mind manipu- ed into South Florida.” mass murders, torture, lation and behavioral modification The resolution states that Transi- bombings and political commonly utilized by organizations tional Criminal Organizations (TCO) assassinations…and they such as Al-Qaeda.” based in Mexico (drug cartels) are have infiltrated the highest The troubling details were deliv- responsible for the flow of opioids ered during recent testimony before across the border into the United levels of the Mexican the Ohio legislature, where Maltz States and Ohio and that they are government with bribes and made a powerful case for designating also responsible for the proliferation corruption.” Mexican drug cartels as FTOs. Fol- of human trafficking in the United lowing a massive bust of the noto- States, particularly Ohio, as part and ~ Derek S. Maltz, former DEA rious Sinaloa Cartel in the Buckeye parcel of their drug-trafficking opera- official and narco-terror expert State, a resolution was introduced tions. The measure points out that to get the federal government to drug cartels conduct operations on www make the change so that it may use See THREAT page 13

12 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Corruption Chronicles Threat From page 12

www U.S. soil in furtherance of drug and that the Immigration and Nationality human trafficking and that abuse of Act authorizes the U.S. secretary of The Immigration and opioids and human trafficking are di- state, in consultation with the secre- Nationality Act authorizes rect threats to the economy, well-be- tary of the treasury and the attorney ing and overall vitality of the state of general, to designate an organization the U.S. secretary of state to Ohio and its citizens. “The acting as an FTO when certain criteria are designate an organization administrator of the United States met. Drug cartels meet the criteria, as an FTO when certain Drug Enforcement Administration, Ohio lawmakers assert, because they criteria are met. Drug cartels Uttam Dhillon, recently declared are foreign in nature, engage in or Mexican drug trafficking organiza- retain the capability and intent to meet the criteria. tions are the biggest criminal threat engage in terrorism and threaten the www the United States faces today,” the security of American citizens and the Ohio resolution states. national defense, foreign relations The measure further points out and economic interests of the United criteria for FTO designation require States. that organizations be foreign, engage Judicial Watch made parallel argu- in terrorism or terrorist activity or ments in a white paper published possess the capability and intent earlier this year, which may be ac- to do so, and pose a threat to U.S. cessed on the Judicial Watch website: nationals or U.S. national security. http://jwatch.us/drug-cartel-designa- Mexican drug cartels are inherently tion. In it, Judicial Watch’s investi- foreign, routinely commit criminal gative team provides comprehensive acts within the statutory definition documentation that Mexican drug of terrorism and arguably represent a cartels, notoriously sophisticated more immediate and ongoing threat criminal operations, undoubtedly to U.S. national security than any of meet the U.S. government’s require- the currently designated FTOs on AP PHOTO/ LOUIS LANZANO ments to be designated FTOs. The the State Department list. Fight Corruption

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www.JudicialWatch.org 13 Corruption Chronicles Gov’t Media Network Fires Reporters Over Soros Report Then Extols Press Freedom

It is ironic that, just weeks after environment that has been created firing journalists behind a broad- by the upper hierarchy of the Agency cast critical of leftwing billionaire for Global Media is repressive. Peo- George Soros, the head of the U.S. ple write with fear. Adjectives are no government’s international media longer used.” networks is proclaiming his support Television Martí — and its radio for “press freedom.” U.S. Agency for counterpart — operate under the Of- Global Media (USAGM) Chief John fice of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB) and F. Lansing, an Obama appointee, comprise one of the USAGM’s five issued a heartfelt statement in early international multimedia networks. May reaffirming his “commitment to The others are Voice of America the fundamental principles of press (VOA), Radio Free Europe/Radio freedom.” In the document, titled Liberty (RFE/RL), Radio Free Asia “Fighting for press freedom, today and Middle East Broadcasting. The and every day,” Lansing assures the media outlets get about $685 million world that his agency “will continue a year from American taxpayers and to report the truth,” though the truth WIKIPEDIA reportedly reach 345 million people recently cost USAGM journalists John Lansing, chief of U.S. Agency for Global worldwide in 59 languages. The their jobs. The occasion was World Media global-media agency was created to Press Freedom Day, celebrated on in the Soros piece. The Spanish-lan- counter disinformation spread by May 3, and Lansing expresses deep guage segment aired in May 2018 on oppressive regimes abroad. The US- concern that his taxpayer-funded Television Martí and was available AGM website states that its mission agency “continues to witness first- for months online until it caught is “to inform, engage and connect hand how a free and independent the eye of a scandal-plagued senator people around the world in support media is deteriorating worldwide.” tried for bribery and corruption. of freedom and democracy.” Televi- Posted on the agency’s website Eight reporters and editors at the sion and Radio Martí were created and dispersed worldwide, the docu- publicly funded media outlet were to promote freedom and democracy ment goes on to say: terminated, and, at the request of the by providing the people of Cuba disgraced senator, New Jersey Demo- with objective news and information “Despite some very dark mo- crat Bob Menendez, Lansing ordered programming. ments, we have not been silenced. a review of all content to address The Soros broadcast focused We will continue to report the “patterns of unethical, unprofession- on his efforts to cripple sovereign truth. We will continue to find al, biased, or sub-standard journal- governments in Latin America. new ways to get independent re- ism.” An employee at the Miami, Judicial Watch was cited as a source porting and programming to glob- Florida-based Martí headquarters because it investigated State Depart- al audiences who rely on it. And said in a local newspaper report “the ment funding of Soros groups in we will continue to carry through Colombia and published a report on our mission to inform, engage, Soros’ initiatives to advance a radi- and connect people around the www cal globalist agenda in Guatemala. world in support of freedom and Judicial Watch also released a special democracy. Today, and every Lansing conveniently omits report documenting the financial day, I am proud to be part of this that he recently utilized and staffing nexus between Soros’ organization, and call these brave Stalinist techniques to Open Society Foundations (OSF) men and women colleagues, as we and the U.S. government. In that stand together for press freedom.” retaliate against USAGM document, Judicial Watch con- journalists and producers nects the dots between U.S.-funded Lansing conveniently omits that involved in the Soros piece. entities and OSF affiliates to further he recently utilized Stalinist tech- the Hungarian-born philanthropist’s niques to retaliate against USAGM www journalists and producers involved See REPORTERS page 15

14 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Corruption Chronicles Reporters From page 14 agenda seeking to destabilize legit- imate governments, erase national borders, target conservative politi- cians, finance civil unrest, subvert institutions of higher education and orchestrate refugee crises for political gain. A few years ago, Judicial Watch exposed a scheme in which the U.S. government spent millions of dollars to destabilize the demo- cratically elected center-right government in Macedonia by colluding with Soros’ OSF. More than five months after the Spanish-language Soros broadcast aired on Television Martí, Menen- dez ordered Lansing to conduct an immediate investigation, and the WIKIPEDIA USAGM chief retaliated against his Newsroom at the Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc., one of USAGM’s five international multi- own staff for practicing the “press media networks freedom” he defends weeks later. Menendez, who serves on the Senate A few years ago, Menendez was veteran lawmaker not only violated Foreign Relations Committee despite charged with federal bribery and Senate rules but also federal law and his sordid history, blocked President corruption stemming from his applicable standards of conduct. In Trump’s nomination last year to relationship with a crooked South a public letter of admonition, the replace Lansing as USAGM chief, so Florida eye doctor who lavished him committee writes that over a six-year perhaps Lansing owed him. with cash, gifts and trips in exchange period, Menendez knowingly and re- for political favors. The eye doctor, peatedly accepted gifts of significant Salomon Melgen, was convicted of value from Melgen in violation of stealing $73 million from Medicare Senate rules and federal law. “Addi- and was sentenced to 17 years in tionally, while accepting these gifts, prison. Menendez got off because you used your position as a Member jurors were unable to reach a ver- of the Senate to advance Dr. Melgen’s dict, and his trial ended in mistrial. personal and business interests,” the His colleagues on the Senate Ethics committee writes. Voice Over America logo Committee determined that the

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AUGUST 2019 Want your own copy each month? A News Publication from Judicial Watch VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 8 VerdictA News Publication from Judicial Watch WWW.JUDICIALWATCH.ORG FBI Special Treatment For Clinton Demands For Email Investigation Information

Judicial Watch received 218 pages of former FBI To receive your very own copy of the Verdict each month, officials Peter Strzok-Lisa Page emails, which show then- FBI General Counsel James Baker instructing FBI officials to expedite the release of FBI investigative material to Hillary Clinton’s lawyer, David Kendall, in August 2016. make a tax-deductible contribution of $35 or more Kendall and the FBI’s top lawyer discussed, specifically, quickly obtaining the “302” report of the FBI/Justice Department interview of Mrs. Clinton. The emails also show the FBI failed to document at payable to Judicial Watch and mail to: least four interviews of witnesses in the Clinton email investigation. The documents were obtained in a Freedom of In- formation Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed after the Justice De-

AP PHOTO/MANUEL BALCE CENETA AP PHOTO/MANUEL BALCE CENETA partment failed to respond to a December 4, 2017 FOIA Lisa Page, former FBI attorney Peter Strzok, former FBI request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice deputy assistant director of (No. counterintelligence See FBI on page 2 The Judicial Watch Verdict Andrew Weissmann Led Hiring 3 Message from Effort For Mueller Special Counsel the President 425 Third Street, SW, Suite 800 Judicial Watch obtained 73 pages of records 8 from the U.S. Department of Justice through the Court Report Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) containing text messages and calendar entries of Robert Washington, DC 20024 Mueller special counsel prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, showing he led the hiring effort for the investigation that targeted President Trump. The document production came in response to Judicial Watch’s June 7, 2018 FOIA lawsuit, filed after the Department of Justice failed to 12 respond to a December 15, 2017 FOIA request Corruption (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice Chronicles (No. 1:18-cv-01356)). Judicial Watch seeks: 16 Or you can go online to www.judicialwatch.org/donate Government “All text messages sent to or from DOJ Uncovered official Andrew Weissmann regarding Donald Trump and/or Hillary Clinton 19 between August 8, 2016 and the present Andrew Weissmann, member of Special Counsel Robert AP PHOTO/TONY GUTIERREZ In the Media Mueller’s legal team, called “Mueller’s Pit Bull” by See WEISSMANN on page 6 York Times New www.JudicialWatch.org 15 Government

Obama White House Tracked FOIA Request For Hillary Clinton Emails

Judicial Watch obtained 44 pages Royce Lamberth ordered Obama of records from the State Department administration senior State Depart- through court-ordered discovery ment officials, lawyers and Clinton revealing that the Obama White aides, as well as E.W. Priestap, to be House was tracking a December deposed or answer written questions 2012 Freedom of Information Act under oath. The court ruled that the (FOIA) request seeking records Clinton email system was “one of the concerning then-Secretary of State gravest modern offenses to govern- Hillary Clinton’s use of an unsecure, ment transparency.” nongovernment email system. The State Department’s Office of Months after the Obama White House Inspector General issued a report in involvement, the State Department January 2016 saying, “At the time responded to the requestor, Citizens the [CREW] request was received, for Responsibility and Ethics in dozens of senior officials throughout Washington (CREW), falsely stating the Department, including members that no such records existed. of Secretary Clinton’s immediate Judicial Watch’s discovery is staff, exchanged emails with the Sec- centered upon whether Clinton retary using the personal accounts SHUTTERSTOCK intentionally attempted to evade the she used to conduct official busi- President Barack Obama Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ness.” Also, the IG “found evidence by using a nongovernment email sys- that [Clinton Chief of Staff Cheryl tem and whether the State Depart- Mills] was informed of the request at personal use of email by senior ment acted in bad faith in processing the time it was received …” officials? Apparently other agen- Judicial Watch’s FOIA request for The State Department produced cies have. If we have it, can you communications from Clinton’s records in response to court-or- give me the details so I can call office. U.S District Court Judge dered document requests that detail the WH back? I think they’d like Obama White House involvement in it on quick turnaround. Thanks! the Clinton email FOIA request. Sheryl” www In a December 20, 2012 email Months after the Obama with the subject line, “Need to track In the same email chain, Walter, down a FOIA request from CREW,” on December 20, 2012, also emailed White House involvement, Sheryl L. Walter, director of the State Heather Samuelson, Clinton’s White the State Department Department’s Office of Information House liaison, describing the CREW responded to the [FOIA] Programs and Services (A/GIS/IPS), FOIA request: writes to IPS officials Rosemary D. requestor, Citizens for Reid and Patrick D. Scholl and their “Hi Heather — Copy attached, Responsibility and Ethics assistants: it was in our significant weekly in Washington (CREW), FOIA report that we send to L falsely stating that no “WH called — have we received and S/ES also. Do you want us to a FOIA request from CREW add you to that list? It’s a subset such records existed. (Citizens for Responsible Ethics of things like this that we think in Washington) on the topic of www See TRACKED page 17

16 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Government Uncovered Tracked From page 16 Programs and Services replied to ed you to know what they are. likely to be of broader Depart- CREW, stating that “no records She is taking her copies of photos, ment interest. More detail below responsive to your request were public speeches, press statements, re this request. As a practical located.” contacts, templates (some of these matter given our workload, it Samuelson became Secretary are both hard copy and electron- won’t be processed for some Clinton’s personal lawyer and in ic), reimbursements, etc … months. Let me know if there are 2014 led the review of Clinton’s any particular sensitivities. If we emails to determine which ones were “Although Sec. Clinton does not don’t talk later, happy holidays! work-related and which were per- use email [emphasis added] her All the best, Sheryl” sonal. She also was one of five close staffers do — I have agreed that Clinton associates granted immunity the emails of the three staffers “Sheryl: The request is assigned by the Department of Justice in the will be electronically captured Case #F-2012-40981. It was re- Clinton email investigation. (and not printed out).” ceived on 12/6/2012 and acknowl- Samuelson is one of several edged on 12/10/2012. The request Obama administration and State Also included in the new batch is assigned for processing.” Department officials ordered by U.S. of documents is the draft Departing District Judge Royce C. Lamberth Officials Notice, which states that On January 10, 2013, Walter to respond under oath to Judicial State Department personnel are not writes to Samuelson that she is not Watch questions regarding whether to remove classified records from including “personal” accounts in the Clinton’s private email use while Department “custody and control.” FOIA request search: Secretary of State was an intentional The new records obtained by attempt to evade FOIA. Judicial Watch are further evidence “Hi Heather — did you ever get The new documents also include revealing the Obama White House’s any intell [sic] re what other a January 2013 email exchange dis- early knowledge of questions sur- agencies are doing re this FOIA cussing Clinton’s departure from the rounding Clinton’s email use. In late request that seeks records about State Department in which Agency April, Judicial Watch announced that the number of email accounts Records Officer Tasha M. Thian spe- E.W. (Bill) Priestap, assistant director associated with the Secretary (but cifically states that Secretary Clinton of the FBI Counterintelligence Di- SHUTTERSTOCK isn’t specifying “personal” email “does not use email.” vision, had admitted, in writing and accounts so we are interpreting This was directly contradicted by under oath, that the agency found as official accounts only). We an email exchange between Secretary Clinton email records in the Obama are considering contacting the Clinton and Gen. David Petraeus White House, specifically, the execu- requester to find out exactly what dating back to January 2009 — the tive office of the president. it is they are looking for. Do you very first days of Clinton’s State De- “These documents suggest the have any-concerns about that partment tenure — in which she tells Obama White House knew about the approach?” Petraeus that she “had to change her Clinton email lies being told to the email address.” public at least as early as December Soon afterward, Samuelson re- Interestingly, this email exchange 2012,” said Judicial Watch President sponds, “White House Counsel was between Petraeus and Clinton was Tom Fitton. “A federal court granted looking into this for me. I will circle not produced in a related FOIA law- Judicial Watch discovery into the back with them now to see if they suit seeking “all emails” of Hillary Clinton emails because the court have further guidance.” Clinton.” The bottom portion of the wanted answers about a government CREW’s general counsel, Anne email chain was produced, but not cover-up of the Clinton emails. And Weismann, sent a CREW FOIA the beginning emails. now, we have answers because it request to the State Department on In a January 2013 email under the looks like the Obama White House December 6, 2012, seeking “records subject “RE: Sec Clinton’s papers,” orchestrated the Clinton email cov- sufficient to show the number of Thian writes: er-up.” email accounts of or associated with Judicial Watch’s filed its 2014 Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, “Just so you know, Secretary Clin- FOIA lawsuit after the State Depart- and the extent to which those email ton — she brought with her a lot ment failed to respond to a May 13, accounts are identifiable as those of or of material as Senator and First 2014 FOIA request (Judicial Watch associated with Secretary Clinton.” Lady — 47 boxes. In case you v. Department of State (No. 1:14-cv- On May 10, 2013, Information hear there are many boxes I want- 01242)).

www.JudicialWatch.org 17 Government Uncovered U.S. Wastes Billions On Fragmented/ Overlapping/Duplicative Programs

The federal government wastes l The Internal Revenue Service tens of billions of dollars on all sorts (IRS) could save “tens of millions of “fragmented, overlapping or du- of dollars a year by more efficiently plicative” programs in areas ranging combating “tax fraud and non- from health care to defense, from compliance.” the production of U.S. currency to disaster response. It is a perpetual The list of agencies that fragment, government-wide epidemic that has overlap or duplicate goes on and long fleeced American taxpayers, on with practically every key feder- according to a report issued at the end al agency appearing as an offender. of May by the nonpartisan investi- Among them are the departments of gative arm of Congress, the Govern- Veterans Affairs (VA), Labor (DOL), ment Accountability Office (GAO). Homeland Security (DHS), State,

The watchdog has published similar SHUTTERSTOCK Agriculture (USDA) and Commerce as documents in the past eight years list- U.S. Congress well as the Food and Drug Adminis- ing more than 300 areas of waste, yet tration (FDA). The report does point the hemorrhaging continues because delivery of services.” out that actions taken by Congress and Congress or executive branch agen- executive branch agencies have result- cies have failed to act. Here are some examples of new ed in hundreds of billions of dollars In the latest probe, the GAO iden- waste identified in the report, which in “financial benefits.” Are American tifies 98 new areas — in addition to also includes ongoing problems from taxpayers supposed to pat lawmakers hundreds that have been ignored — of previous investigations: and federal government managers fragmentation, overlap or duplication on the back for doing their job? The that must be addressed to help curb l The Department of Energy (DOE) waste is a result of poor management the waste. Fragmentation refers to could save “billions of dollars by and never should have occurred in the circumstances in which more than developing a program-wide strat- first place. A lengthy and costly feder- one federal agency is involved in the egy to improve decision-making al audit should not have been required same broad area of national need and on cleaning up radioactive and to correct the problem. service delivery can be improved. hazardous waste.” There appears to be no end in sight Overlap occurs when multiple agen- to the spending crisis. Every year cies or programs have similar goals, l The Center for Medicare and Med- the GAO finds more and more viola- engage in similar activities or strate- icaid Services could save “hun- tions. Investigators reveal they have gies to achieve them, or target similar dreds of millions of dollars simply directed 797 cost-saving actions to beneficiaries. Duplication exists when by improving how it identifies and executive branch agencies in the last two or more agencies or programs targets risk in overseeing Medicaid eight years and 106 actions to Con- are engaged in the same activities or spending and by avoiding overpay- gress. The federal agencies, including provide the same services to the same ing for clinical lab tests.” DOD, Health and Human Services and beneficiaries. The new report states: DHS, have addressed just over half of l The Department of Defense the problems. Congress has a worse “GAO estimates that tens of billions (DOD) could save “millions of track record, failing to act in 56% of of additional dollars could be saved dollars a year by expanding its the cases documented in past federal should Congress and executive use of intergovernmental support audits. The GAO warns that “the branch agencies fully address agreements to obtain support federal government continues to face the remaining 396 open actions, services that include waste man- an unsustainable long-term fiscal path including the new ones identified agement. caused by an imbalance between fed- in 2019. Addressing the remaining eral revenue and spending,” and that actions could lead to other benefits l The U.S. Mint could “reduce the opportunities exist in a number of as well, such as increased public cost of coin production by millions areas to improve the situation. Now, safety, better homeland and of dollars annually.” elected officials and public servants national security, and more effective must do their job.

18 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019 Judicial Watch

Mueller report proves that it’s time to investigate the investigators The Hill By Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton May 13, 2019 Now that President Trump has been exonerated of the false accusations of collusion and obstruction, it is time to investigate the investigators. The White House has justly praised the outcome of special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation for clearing the president of the odious charges that have hung over his presidency Host Lou Dobbs and Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton on Lou Dobbs Tonight since even before his inauguration. The Mueller report overall was favorable to the president, but it anti-Trump coup. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) also should be remembered as the Judicial Watch has, to date, request, also show the FBI gave Clin- Mueller special counsel’s final abuse pursued more than 40 FOIA lawsuits ton’s lawyer special treatment during of power. There were nearly 200 in an effort to get to the bottom of the email investigation. pages of irrelevancies about Russia the “Russiagate” hoax, including The new information was gleaned collusion, but it couldn’t disguise the dozens explicitly dealing with the from the 218 pages of messages fact that all of those alleged contacts illicit targeting and other abuses of exchanged by former FBI counterin- between the Russians and the Trump power against President Trump. We telligence executive Peter Strzok and campaign amounted to nothing, also have 10 lawsuits dealing with former bureau lawyer Lisa Page. legally or substantively. And the the Mueller investigation specifically fact remains that the institutional — because this assault on the rule of Judicial Watch Panel: climate in the Justice Department law is a dire threat to our republican Spygate And The Deep State; has been so hostile to the president form of government. “Investigating The Investigators” that we can be certain that, if there Real Clear Politics had been even a scintilla of evidence New Documents Show FBI Gave June 3, 2019 supporting a criminal indictment, it Clinton Lawyer Special Treatment Judicial Watch hosted a special would have been pursued. Epoch Times educational panel on Wednesday, *** June 3, 2019 May 29 to discuss “Investigating the Judicial Watch is not waiting for Newly obtained internal FBI Investigators.” Now that the Mueller government investigators, however. messages show the bureau failed to report has exonerated President We have pending approximately 50 properly document agents’ inter- Trump of the false accusations of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) views of at least four witnesses in collusion and obstruction, it is time lawsuits seeking information on the the investigation of then-Secretary of to look into the politicization of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a pri- DOJ and the intelligence community vate email server to conduct official in their effort to undermine the U.S. government business. president. The documents, which were ob- Panelists: Carter Page, Victoria tained by the nonprofit government Toensing, Chuck Ross, Chris Farrell. watchdog Judicial Watch through a See MEDIA page 20

www.JudicialWatch.org 19 In The Media Media From page 19 FBI sought to ‘expeditiously’ FBI lawyer, sent thousands of texts Watch: Well, Hillary Clinton’s grant Hillary Clinton lawyer’s to each other about the Clinton and lawyer was talking to the person request for info before 2016 Trump-Russia investigations, spark- who set up her emails at the Clinton election ing accusations of bias. Strzok was Foundation. He admits in testimony Washington Examiner removed from the Russia investiga- to Judicial Watch a federal court June 03, 2019 tion upon discovery of the texts and wants answers on Hillary Clinton’s Internal FBI emails show bureau was later fired from the bureau. email scandal. He can’t remember officials sought to expedite a whether her servers — one of her Hillary Clinton lawyer’s request for Rep. Gaetz: Trump’s campaign is servers were deleted or wiped. information weeks before the 2016 an inclusive movement Of course he got money for his presidential election. Fox News attorney’s fees from the Clintons. Conservative watchdog group Transcript of “Hannity” We had other testimony from Judicial Watch released 218 pages June 18, 2019 a top senior official at the State of emails it obtained through a *** Department for security. He warned Freedom of Information Act lawsuit Hannity: All right, now we do Hillary Clinton at least twice about on Monday. The documents contain have the President on tomorrow her BlackBerry use and her use of communications between former exclusively, but we’re going to break personal emails. Mrs. Clinton, one FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa all these stories also tomorrow night. of the reasons we have this Russia Page, many of which relate to the So, we have a busy night. Tom, I’m investigation, the fraud Russia FBI’s investigation of Clinton’s use of running out of time. Quick headline investigation was to protect her a private email server as secretary of you also on the Cheryl Mills stuff, and because of her. That search and state. I was stunned at what you broke destroy mission against President Strzok, a former FBI agent and today. Give us a headline, we will Trump he talked about is a result of lead investigator in the Clinton email have you back tomorrow. Hillary Clinton’s dossier, which is investigation, and Page, a former Tom Fitton, President, Judicial still being used to go after him.

JW Earns Nationwide Media Coverage May 19, 2019 – June 19, 2019 TV 5/18 Fox News Channel National – Live The following list partially details recent radio and television appearances by Judicial Watch spokesmen, as well as general 5/23 Fox News Channel National – Live television and radio coverage of Judicial Watch’s investigations 5/24 Fox News Channel National – Live and lawsuits. All regional radio stations not marked ‘live’ are 5/29 Fox Business Network National – Live mentions. 5/29 CSPAN2 National – Live 5/29 Sinclair National – Live Radio 5/29 OAN National – Live 5/20 SiriusXM National – Live 5/29 Epoch Times National – Live 5/21 Frank Gaffney Radio National – Live 5/30 Fox News Channel National – Live 5/22 WOAI San Antonio, TX – Live 6/1 Fox Business Network National – Live 5/22 WJIM Detroit, MI – Live 6/3 Fox Business Network National – Live 5/24 WIND Chicago, IL – Live 6/3 Fox News Channel National – Live 5/28 FreedomWorks National – Live 6/7 Fox News Channel National – Live 5/29 KFYI Phoenix, AZ – Live 6/7 Fox Business Network National – Live 6/1 SiriusXM National – Live 6/10 Fox Business Network National – Live 6/3 Sam Sorbo Radio National – Live 6/10 OAN National – Live 6/3 KFAB Omaha, NE – Live 6/11 Fox News Channel National – Live 6/7 KTRH Houston, TX – Live 6/13 Fox News Channel National – Live 6/10 SBS Australia, International 6/13 OAN National – Live 6/10 TSN Canada, International 6/17 Fox Business Network National – Live 6/13 Seb Gorka Radio National – Live 6/18 OAN National – Live 6/13 WLS Chicago, IL – Live 6/18 Fox News Channel National – Live 6/14 KHOW Denver, CO – Live 6/19 WOR New York, NY – Live PLUS 538 More!

20 The Verdict l AUGUST 2019