JW Sues for FBI Communications with Anti-Trump Dossier Group

APRIL 2019 VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 4 VerdictA News Publication from Judicial Watch A News PublicationWWW.JUDICIALWATCH.ORG from Judicial Watch Court Orders Discovery On Clinton Email, Top Officials To Respond To JW Questions

Judicial Watch announced that United States District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that discovery can begin in Hillary Clinton’s email scandal. Obama administration senior State Department officials, lawyers and Clinton aides will now be deposed under oath. Senior officials — including Susan Rice, Ben Rhodes, Jacob Sullivan and FBI official E.W. Priestap — will now have to answer Judicial Watch’s written questions under oath. The court rejected the Justice Department’s and State Department’s objections to Judicial Watch’s court-ordered discovery plan. (The court, in ordering a discovery plan last month, ruled that the Clinton email system was “one of the gravest

AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH modern offenses to government transparency.”) Judicial Watch’s discovery seeks answers to: Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice See DISCOVERY on page 2

3 JW Sues For FBI Communications Message from With Anti-Trump Dossier Group the President 9 Seeks records of communication of six key Court Report figures tied to Trump dossier

Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Depart- ment of Justice on January 25, 2019 for all records of communication from January 2016 to January 2018 between former FBI General Counsel James Baker and Bill Clinton anti-Trump dossier author Christopher Steele. 13 Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Corruption Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to compel Chronicles the FBI to comply with a January 5, 2018 FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 17 1:19-cv-00177)). The lawsuit seeks: Government Uncovered “Any and all records of communication, including but not limited to emails, text messages and instant 19 In the Media See FBI on page 8 Former FBI General Counsel James Baker Cover Story Discovery From page 1 www l “Whether Clinton intentionally In ordering a discovery plan, attempted to evade the Freedom the court ruled that the Judicial Watch is a conservative, of Information Act (FOIA) by non-partisan American educational using a non-government email Clinton email system was foundation that promotes transparency, system; “one of the gravest modern accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law. offenses to government Judicial Watch advocates high standards l “whether the State Department’s transparency.” of ethics and morality in America’s efforts to settle this case begin- public life and seeks to ensure that ning in late 2014 amounted to www public officials do not abuse the powers entrusted to them by the American people. bad faith; and Judicial Watch Board of Directors Chris Farrell, Tom Fitton, Paul Orfanedes l “whether the State Department Justice Department objections to Editor adequately searched for records discovery on the infamous Benghazi Carter Clews responsive to Judicial Watch’s talking points, Judge Lamberth reit- Editorial Assistant FOIA request.” erated: Janice Rurup Senior Writer Discovery is scheduled to be com- “Yet Rice’s talking points and Dr. Larry Hunter pleted in May. The court will hold a State’s understanding of the attack Circulation Director post-discovery hearing to determine play an unavoidably central role John Albertella if Judicial Watch may also depose ad- in this case: information about the Direct Response Marketing Manager ditional witnesses, including Clinton points’ development and content, Ariana Azizkeya and her former chief of staff, Cheryl as well as their discussion and Graphic Design Consultant Mills. dissemination before and after Jeanne Minnix Judge Lamberth ordered written Rice’s appearances could reveal Production and Traffic Manager Tim Wathen responses under oath to Judicial unsearched, relevant records; Public Affairs Director Watch’s questions from Obama ad- State’s role in the points’ content Jill Farrell ministration senior officials Rice, and development could shed light Member Services Rhodes and Sullivan and former FBI on Clinton’s motives for shielding 1 (888) 593-8442 official Priestap. Rice and Rhodes her emails from FOIA requesters Fax (202) 646-5199 were ordered to answer interroga- or on State’s reluctance to search Social Media tories under oath on the Benghazi her emails.” www.JudicialWatch.org scandal. Rejecting the State and www.facebook.com/JudicialWatch Judicial Watch also may serve www.twitter.com/JudicialWatch interrogatories on Monica Hanley, Send your comments a former staff member in the State and questions to Editor, The Judicial Watch Verdict® Department’s Office of the Secretary, c/o [email protected] and on Lauren Jiloty, Clinton’s for- Annual suggested donation is $35. mer special assistant. Requests should be sent to: According to Lamberth’s order, The Judicial Watch Verdict® regarding whether Clinton’s private Judicial Watch email use while secretary of state 425 Third Street, SW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20024 was an intentional attempt to evade FOIA, Judicial Watch may depose: The Judicial Watch Verdict® is published monthly and distributed to its members, supporters and interested parties by 1. “Eric Boswell, the former As- Judicial Watch, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit sistant Secretary for Diplomatic organization incorporated in 1994 Security.… Boswell’s March 2009 in the District of Columbia. memo to Mills … discusses se- Copyright 2019 by Judicial Watch © All rights reserved. curity risks Clinton’s Blackberry Editorial content may be duplicated with use posed more generally. And, attribution and without permission. Boswell personally discussed the AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH April 2019 l Vol. 25 l Issue 4 Former Clinton Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills See DISCOVERY on page 4

2 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Docs Reveal FBI Cover-Up Of ‘Chart’ Of Potential Violations Of Law By Hillary Clinton By Tom Fitton ton to the FBI to begin processing www 13,000 pages of records exchanged Judicial Watch caught the exclusively between Strzok and FBI in another cover-up to Page between February 1, 2015 and December 2017. The FBI may not protect Hillary Clinton. complete review and production of all the Strzok-Page communications www until at least 2020.

JUDICIAL WATCH Three days after then-FBI Director James Comey’s press conference an- friendly terms…” Judicial Watch received 186 pages nouncing that he would not recom- Strzok forwards to Page, Jonathan of records from the Department of mend a prosecution of Mrs. Clinton, Moffa and others: Justice that include emails docu- a July 8, 2016 email chain shows that menting an evident cover-up of a the Special Counsel to the FBI’s ex- “I have redlined some points. chart of potential violations of law ecutive assistant director in charge of Broadly, I have some concerns by former Secretary of State Hillary the National Security Branch, whose about asking some our [sic] Clinton. name is redacted, wrote to Strzok senior field folks to get into the We obtained the records through and others that he was producing business of briefing this case, a January 2018 Freedom of Infor- a “chart of the statutory violations particularly when we have the mation Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed considered during the investigation D’s [Comey’s] statement as a kind after the Justice Department failed [of Clinton’s server], and the rea- of stand-alone document. In my respond to a December 4, 2017 sons for the recommendation not to opinion, there’s too much nuance, FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. prosecute…” detail, and potential for missteps. Department of Justice (No. 1:18-cv- [Name redacted] writes: “I am But I get they may likely be asked 00154)) seeking all communications still working on an additional page for comment.” between FBI official Peter Strzok and for these TPs that consist of a chart FBI attorney Lisa Page. of the statutory violations considered [Name redacted] writes to Strzok, The newly obtained emails came during the investigation, and the rea- Page and others: in response to a May 21 order by sons for the recommendation not to U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Wal- prosecute, hopefully in non-lawyer “The DD [Andrew McCabe] will need to approve these before they are pushed out to anyone. At the end of last week, he wasn’t inclined to send them to anyone. But, it’s great to have them on the shelf in case they’re needed.”

[Name redacted] writes to Strzok and Page:

“I’m really not sure why they continued working on these [talking points]. In the morning, I’ll make sure Andy [McCabe] tells Mike [Kortan] to keep these in his pock- et. I guess Andy just didn’t ever have a moment to turn these off

AP PHOTO/J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE with Mike like he said he would.” Fired FBI Director James Comey See MESSAGE on page 5

www.JudicialWatch.org 3 Cover Story Discovery From page 2 memo with Clinton. So, he plain- ly has relevant information about that conversation and about his general knowledge of Clinton’s email use. Judicial Watch may depose Boswell.

2. “Justin Cooper, the Clinton Foundation employee who creat- ed the clintonemail.com server. In its proposal, Judicial Watch noted Cooper’s prior congressional testimony ‘appears to con- tradict portions of the testimony provided by Huma Abedin in WIKIPEDIA the case before Judge Sullivan.’ U.S. Department of State headquarters, Washington, D.C. … Cooper repeatedly told Con- testimony and ask follow-up ment does not oppose Sullivan’s gress that Abedin helped set up questions is critical. deposition.” the Clintons’ private server, e.g., *** Examining Preservation of State “Judicial Watch seeks to go be- Regarding whether the State De- Department Federal Records: yond cursory, second-hand tes- partment’s settlement attempts that [before a Congressional hearing] timony and directly ask Finney began in late 2014 amounted to “bad Abedin testified under oath she what he knew about Clinton’s faith,” Judicial Watch was granted did not know about the server email use. This includes asking depositions from the State Depart- until six years later.… Judicial about emails suggesting he knew ment under Rule 30(b)(6); Finney; Watch may depose Cooper. about her private email use in John Hackett, the former deputy 2014, and emails he received director of State’s Office of Informa- 3. “Clarence Finney, the former dep- concerning a December 2012 tion Programs & Services; Gene Smi- uty director of State’s Executive FOIA request from Citizens for lansky, an attorney-advisor within Secretariat staff…. [T]his case’s Responsible Ethics in Washing- State’s Office of the Legal Advisor; questions hinge on what specific ton (CREW) regarding senior Samuelson; and others. State employees knew and when officials’ personal email use — Judicial Watch was also granted they knew it. As the principal topics State’s 30(b)(6) deposition interrogatories on whether the State advisor and records management in Judge Sullivan’s case never Department adequately searched for expert responsible for controlling addressed. Judicial Watch may responsive records, as well as several Clinton’s official correspondence depose Finney. document requests. and records, Finney’s knowledge “In a major victory for account- is particularly relevant. And es- 4. “Heather Samuelson, the for- ability, Judge Lamberth today autho- pecially given the concerns about mer State Department senior rized Judicial Watch to take discovery government misconduct that advisor who helped facilitate on whether the Clinton email system prompted this discovery, Judicial State’s receipt of Hillary Clinton’s evaded FOIA and whether the Beng- Watch’s ability to take his direct emails.… [T]his case turns on hazi scandal was one reason for keep- what specific government em- ing Mrs. Clinton’s email secret,” said ployees knew and when they Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. www knew it. Judicial Watch must be “Judicial Watch immediately issued able to take their direct testimony document requests and other discov- This Judicial Watch FOIA and ask them follow-up ques- ery to the State Department about the lawsuit led directly to the tions. Judicial Watch may depose Clinton email scandal. Next up, we disclosure of the Clinton Samuelson. will begin questioning key witnesses under oath.” email system in 2015. 5. “Jacob Sullivan, Secretary Clin- The court-ordered discovery is www ton’s former senior advisor and the latest development in Judicial deputy Chief of Staff. The govern- See DISCOVERY on page 6

4 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Message from the President Message From page 3 Page replies: “Yes, agree that this Page forwards to Strzok: “FYSA happy to discuss further but want- is not a good idea.” [For your situational awareness]” ed to send you this so you could Neither these talking points nor Strzok replies to Page: raise within the OGC [Office of the chart of potential violations com- the General Counsel] and give me mitted by Clinton and her associates “I’ll take the lead, of course — a sense of scheduling options. I have been released. sounds like an espionage section am around if you want to talk.” On May 15, 2016, James Rybicki, question… Or do you think OGC former chief of staff to Comey, sends [Office of the General Counsel] [Name redacted], FBI National FBI General Counsel James Baker; Bill should? Security Division official writes: Priestap, former assistant director of the FBI’s counterintelligence division; “And the more reason for us to “In the meantime, I’ll tell Hal that McCabe; Page; and others an email get feedback to Rybicki, as we all we will certainly schedule a call with the subject line, “Request from identified this as an issue/question and will get back to him as to tim- the Director.” Rybicki writes: over a week ago.” ing. Since he knows Beth [Wilkin- son] personally, it could be useful “By NLT [no later than] next Page replies: to have Jim on the phone if she is Monday, the Director would like going to be haranguing us re: the to see a list of all cases charged in “I was going to reply to Jim [Ry- laptops.” the last 20 years where the gra- bicki] and tell him I can talked vamen of the charge was mishan- [sic] to you about this already. Do [Name redacted], FBI Office of dling classified information. you want me to?” the General Counsel writes:

“It should be in chart form with: A July 22, 2016 email exchange, “More…I guess this is [redacted’s] (1) case name, (2) a short summa- among Strzok, Page, Moffa and rationale for why we need to have ry for content (3) charges brought, other unidentified FBI and DOJ the GC on the call to discuss the and (4) charge of conviction. officials, shows that Beth Wilkinson, fact that we will be following all an attorney for several top Clinton of our legal obligations and FBI “If need be, we can get it from aides during the server investigation, policies/procedures with regard to NSD [National Security Division] wanted a conference call with the FBI/ the disposition of the materials in and let them know that the Direc- Justice Department. this case.” tor asked for this personally. “We wanted to follow up on our Strzok writes: “Please let me know who can take conversation from a few days ago. the lead on this. We would like to schedule a time “You are perfectly competent to to speak with both you and [Re- speak to the legal obligations and “Thanks! dacted] early next week. Is there FBI policy/procedures. We should a time on Monday or Tuesday that NOT be treating opposing coun- “Jim” could work on your end?” sel this way. We would not in any other case.” [Name redacted], FBI National Security Division official emails: In an April 12, 2016 email exchange initiated by an email from “See below. I am flexible on Mon- Strzok to [name redacted] within the day and Tuesday. [Redacted] can Justice Department’s National Security chime in with her availability. It Division (NSD), Strzok asks the NSD is my understanding that Toscas official if he’d like to add anything [George Toscas, who helped lead to the agenda of a meeting to occur Midyear Exam] may have called three days later between FBI and over to Jim or Trisha [former Justice Department attorneys. [Name Principal Deputy General Counsel redacted], NSD official responds: Trisha Anderson] regarding some high-level participation for at “Would like to see what you have least the first few such calls. I am See MESSAGE on page 7

www.JudicialWatch.org 5 Cover Story Fight Corruption Discovery And Receive From page 4 Income For Life www Watch’s July 2014 FOIA lawsuit filed Justice Department attorneys after the U.S. Department of State admit in a filing opposing failed to respond to a May 13, 2014 FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Judicial Watch’s limited Department of State (No. 1:14-cv- discovery that “Counsel for 01242)). Judicial Watch seeks: State contacted the counsel of some third parties that l “Copies of any updates and/or Plaintiff originally included in talking points given to Ambassador Rice by the White House or its draft discovery proposal to any federal agency concerning, obtain their client’s position on regarding, or related to the being deposed.”

September 11, 2012 attack on the www U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

l “Any and all records or despite criticism from the Court that communications concerning, the Justice Department engaged in regarding, or relating to talking “chicanery” to cover up misconduct points or updates on the Benghazi and that career employees in the attack given to Ambassador State and Justice Departments may You can fight corruption and Rice by the White House or any have “colluded to scuttle public receive income for life through a federal agency.” scrutiny of Clinton, skirt FOIA, and Charitable Gift Annuity with Judicial hoodwink this Court.” Watch. The Judicial Watch discovery Judicial Watch countered that If you are 55 or older and live in a plan was in response to a December “[the] government’s proposal, which qualifying state*, you could receive 6, 2018 ruling by Judge Lamberth. is really nothing more than an income for life through a Charitable Incredibly, Justice Department opposition to [Judicial Watch’s] plan, Gift Annuity with Judicial Watch. A attorneys admit in a filing opposing demonstrates that it continues to minimum irrevocable donation of Judicial Watch’s limited discovery reject any impropriety on its part and $5,000 is required, of which a portion is that “Counsel for State contacted that it seeks to block any meaningful tax-deductible. the counsel of some third parties inquiry into its ‘outrageous For a free no-obligation illustration that Plaintiff originally included in misconduct.’” of how a Charitable Gift Annuity can its draft discovery proposal to ob- This Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit work for you, please contact Steve tain their client’s position on being led directly to the disclosure of the Andersen at the Judicial Watch Devel- deposed.” This collusion occurred Clinton email system in 2015. opment Office at (888) 593-8442 or by email at [email protected]

If your age is: You could earn: 60 4.7% 65 5.1% 70 5.6% 75 6.2%

80 7.3% WIKIPEDIA 85 8.3% 90+ 9.5%

(Single-life rates. Call for two-life rates.) *Not available in Hawaii and Washington state. WIKIPEDIA Department of Justice building, Washington, D.C.

6 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Message from the President Message From page 5

on your agenda so we could see and FBI were about to have concern- Strzok to Page, reporting that Judge what we might want to add on ing, among other things, “privilege Royce Lamberth ordered limited our end. I will mention to [name and ethics issues we are facing.” discovery for Judicial Watch in its redacted]. Also interested in un- On July 12, 2016, Eugene Kie- lawsuit against the State Department derstanding FBI OGC’s analysis of ly, the director of FactCheck.org, for Clinton’s emails (related to the the privilege and ethics issues we emailed the FBI about inconsisten- Benghazi attack) — and thus open- are facing.” cies he’d identified between Comey’s ing Clinton up to possible depo- congressional testimony and state- sitions by Judicial Watch — Page Strzok forwards to Page: “Pretty ments by Clinton and her campaign responds simply: “Oh boy.” nonresponsive…” about her deletion of emails. Kiely I said at the time that Judicial Page responds: noted that Comey testified to the Watch had caught the FBI in another House that Clinton did not give her cover-up to protect Hillary Clinton “Why provide them an agenda? I lawyers any instructions on which of because these records show that wouldn’t do that until you have her emails to delete, whereas Clinton the FBI is hiding a chart detailing a sense of how Andy [McCabe] herself told the press that she made possible violations of law by Hillary wants to go. So no. We’ll talk the decision on which emails should Clinton and the supposed reasons about what we’re going to talk be deleted. Kiely also pointed out she was not prosecuted. about and then they can talk about that Comey said in his testimony In another blockbusting discov- what they want to talk about. that there were three Clinton emails ery, we recently released 215 pages Also, seriously Pete. F him. OGC containing classification “portion of records from the Justice Depart- needs to provide an analysis? We markings,” whereas the State Depart- ment revealing former FBI General haven’t done one. But they seem ment had said there were only two Counsel James Baker discussed the to be categorical that it’s just im- Clinton emails with classification investigation of Clinton-related possible, I’d just like to know why. markings. Kiely’s inquiry set off an emails on Anthony Weiner’s laptop internal discussion at the top of the with Clinton’s lawyer, David Kendall. “And now I’m angry before bed FBI on how to respond to his ques- Baker then forwarded the conver- again? tions. Strzok writes: sation to his FBI colleagues. The documents also further describe a “Total indulgence, there’s a TV “We’re looking into it and will get previously reported quid pro quo from in here. Here’s hoping I can find back to you this afternoon; the the Obama State Department offering something to sufficiently melt my answer may require some tweak- the FBI more legal attaché positions brain???” ing, the question is whether this if it would downgrade a redaction is the forum to do it.” (The email in an email found during the Hillary Strzok replies: is addressed to FBI intelligence Clinton email investigation “from analyst Moffa; Rybicki; Michael classified to something else.” “Because I want to make this pro- Kortan, FBI assistant director for ductive! Why NOT provide them public affairs, now retired; Lisa an agenda!?!? We all talk about Page and others.) Announcing Tom Fitton’s what we want to talk about and Judicial Watch Weekly Update that’s a waste of time. Strzok’s suggested press response is fully redacted, but included is NOW, YOU CAN WATCH TOM “They haven’t done one either his deferral to the “7th floor as to FITTON’S JUDICIAL WATCH WEEKLY (legal analysis) whether to release to this reporter or UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY ON JUDICIAL in another manner.” WATCH’S OWN YOUTUBE CHANNEL ! “Assume noble intent. When asked “should we provide any additional information to Incisive, exciting and informative, “How do we maximize this use of FactCheck.org or would any updates Weekly Update provides you time?” more appropriately be give [sic] with Tom’s unique insights into directly to Congress?” Strzok de- the week’s top JW news stories. Page writes: “I’m ignoring all this fers to “Jim/Lisa [Page]” and [name It’s “must-watch” video at its and going to bed.” redacted]. best. (Simply type in JWatch.us/ Strzok and Page were discussing a In response to a March 29, 2016 subscribe). meeting that the Justice Department article in The Hill, forwarded by

www.JudicialWatch.org 7 Cover Story FBI From page 1

chats, sent between Baker and any of the following individuals: former British intelligence officer Steele; principal of Orbis Business Intelligence, Ltd., Glenn Simpson of Fusion GPS; former GPS con- tractor Nellie Ohr; and/or David Corn, a reporter with Mother Jones magazine.”

The FBI claimed it had no responsive records, but Baker was deeply WIKIPEDIA involved with the FBI’s investiga- FBI building, Washington, D.C. tion of the Trump campaign and is currently the subject of a criminal in- Judicial Watch in August 2018 released FBI records showing that vestigation for leaking to the media. filed a related lawsuit seeking records Steele was cut off as a “Confidential The FBI’s “no-records” response about the Ohrs’ involvement in the Human Source” after he disclosed is belied by Baker’s closed-door anti-Trump dossier and the FBI’s his relationship to the FBI to a third congressional testimony in October meetings with the Democratic Na- party. The documents show at least 2018, in which he reportedly testi- tional Committee’s law firm, Perkins 11 FBI payments to Steele in 2016. fied that David Corn, a reporter at Coie. In November, Judicial Watch Baker also advised top FBI of- the far-left Mother Jones magazine, filed a lawsuit about the firm itself. ficials during the Hillary Clinton had provided him with a copy of Perkins Coie had hired Fusion email scandal. He left his role as the anti-Trump dossier the day after GPS to dig into President Trump’s general counsel in January 2018 and President Trump’s 2016 election vic- background. Baker reportedly told resigned from the FBI in May 2018. tory. Baker also reportedly testified congressional investigators that Per- “The real collusion scandal of that he believed, at the time, Corn kins Coie lawyer Michael Sussmann the 2016 election is the effort by the received the dossier from Simpson, “initiated contact with [Baker] and Clinton campaign and the Obama the co-founder of Fusion GPS. provided documents and computer DOJ/FBI to spy on and destroy Fusion GPS employee Nellie Ohr storage devices on Russian hacking.” President Donald Trump,” Judicial is the wife of former Associate Depu- The contact was made in late 2016 Watch President Tom Fitton said. ty Attorney General Bruce Ohr, who as federal investigators prepared a “And it looks like the FBI is covering was a key conduit between dossier Foreign Intelligence Surveillance up documents on this Russiagate author Christopher Steele and the Act (FISA) warrant to spy on Trump scandal, which is why Judicial Watch FBI. Former FBI Director James campaign aide Carter Page. is again in federal court.” Comey himself called the dossier In August 2018, Judicial Watch “salacious and unverified.”

www Was this issue of the Verdict® passed along to you? Want your own copy each month? The Judicial Watch “The real collusion scandal ®

of the 2016 election is APRIL 2019 A News Publication from Judicial Watch VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 4 VerdictA News Publication from Judicial Watch To receive your very own copy of the Verdict WWW.JUDICIALWATCH.ORG Court Orders Discovery On Clinton Email, the effort by the Clinton each month, make a tax-deductible contribution Top Officials To Respond To JW Questions

Judicial Watch announced that United States of $35 or more payable to Judicial Watch and District Judge Royce C. Lamberth ruled that discovery can begin in Hillary Clinton’s email scandal. Obama campaign and the Obama administration senior State Department officials, lawyers and Clinton aides will now be deposed under mail to: oath. Senior officials — including Susan Rice, Ben Rhodes, Jacob Sullivan and FBI official E.W. Priestap — will now have to answer Judicial Watch’s written questions under oath. The court rejected the Justice DOJ/FBI to spy on and destroy Department’s and State Department’s objections to Judicial Watch’s court-ordered discovery plan. (The court, in ordering a discovery plan last month, ruled that the Clinton email system was “one of the gravest The Judicial Watch Verdict AP PHOTO/SUSAN WALSH modern offenses to government transparency.”) President Donald Trump.” Hillary Clinton and Susan Rice Judicial Watch’s discovery seeks answers to: 425 Third Street, SW, Suite 800 See DISCOVERY on page 2 JW Sues For FBI Communications 3 With Anti-Trump Dossier Group Message from ~ Judicial Watch President Washington, DC 20024 the President Seeks records of communication of six key 9 figures tied to Trump dossier Court Report Tom Fitton Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the Depart- ment of Justice on January 25, 2019 for all records of communication from January 2016 to January 2018 Or you can go online to between former FBI General Counsel James Baker and anti-Trump dossier author Christopher Steele. Bill Clinton Judicial Watch filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District www Court for the District of Columbia, seeking to compel 13 www.judicialwatch.org/donate the FBI to comply with a January 5, 2018 FOIA re- Corruption Chronicles quest (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of Justice (No. 1:19-cv-00177)). The lawsuit seeks: 17 Government “Any and all records of communication, including Uncovered but not limited to emails, text messages and instant 19 See FBI on page 8 Former FBI General Counsel James Baker In the Media

8 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Judicial Watch Court Report FBI Talked To Hillary’s Lawyer About Comey’s Letter On Weiner-Laptop Emails Judicial Watch received 215 pages of records from the U.S. Department of Justice revealing former FBI Gener- al Counsel James Baker discussed the investigation of Clinton-related emails on Anthony Weiner’s laptop with Clinton’s lawyer, David Kendall. Bak- er then forwarded the conversation to his FBI colleagues. The documents also further describe a previously reported quid pro quo from the Obama State Department offering the FBI more legal attaché positions if it would downgrade a redaction in an email found during the Hillary Clinton email investigation

“from classified to something else.” AP PHOTO/CAROLYN KASTER The newly obtained emails came David Kendall, personal attorney for Democratic presidential candidate and former Secretary of in response to a May 21, 2019 order State Hillary Rodham Clinton, 2015 in a January 2018 Freedom of In- www formation Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed regarding the FBI’s discovery that after the Justice Department failed the Weiner laptop contained Clin- The documents reveal the to respond to a December 4, 2017 ton’s emails, Hillary Clinton’s per- Obama State Department FOIA request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. sonal lawyer David Kendall, within urgently gathering classified Department of Justice (No. 1:18-cv- hours, emails Baker requesting a 00154)). Judicial Watch seeks: call “ASAP” about the Comey letter. Russia investigation infor- Baker describes his follow-up call to mation and disseminating l “All records of communications, senior FBI officials: it to members of Congress including but not limited to, emails, text messages and instant “I received the email below from within hours of Donald chats, between FBI official Peter David Kendall, and I called him Trump’s taking office. Strzok and FBI attorney Lisa Page; back. Before doing so I alerted DOJ via email that I would do that. www l “All travel requests, travel autho- rizations, travel vouchers and ex- “[Redacted paragraph] out of the letter to the prejudice of pense reports of Peter Strzok; and Secretary Clinton. “He said that our letter was “tan- l “All travel requests, travel au- talizingly ambiguous” and made “I told him that I could not re- thorizations, travel vouchers and statements that were “inchoate and spond to his requests at this time expense reports of Lisa Page.” highly ominous” such that what but that I would discuss it with we had done was worse than trans- others and get back to him. On October 28, 2016, the day parency because it allows people to that Comey sent a letter to Congress make whatever they want to make “I suggest that we have some kind See LAWYER on page 10

www.JudicialWatch.org 9 Court Report Lawyer

From page 9 www

of follow-up meeting or phone call Clinton should not be prosecuted.) “These documents further with this group either this evening On October 13, 2016, former FBI underscore that the fix was in for or over the weekend to address attorney Lisa Page sent an email, this and probably other issues/ which apparently references a relat- Hillary Clinton. When will the questions that come up in the next ed Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit and Justice Department and FBI finally 24 hours. Sound reasonable?” further discusses a previously report- do an honest investigation of the ed quid pro quo offer from the State Clinton email scandal?” Baker’s heads up on the Kendall Department: call was sent to: ~ Judicial Watch President “Jason Herring will be providing Tom Fitton l Then-Director James Comey, since you with three 302s of current and www fired; former FBI employees who were interviewed during the course of l Then-Associate Deputy Director the Clinton investigation. These only 3,077 of the 340,000 emails David Bowdich, who later replaced 302s are scheduled to be released “were directly reviewed for classified Andrew McCabe as deputy to Congress in an unredacted form or incriminating information.” director; at the end of the week, and pro- The new records also include a duced (with redactions) pursu- September 2, 2016 email that Comey l Michael Steinbach, the FBI’s ant to FOIA at the beginning of forwards containing a press release former executive assistant next week. As you will see, they issued that day by Sen. Chuck Grass- director for national security; describe a discussion about po- ley (R-IA), in which Grassley criti- tential quid pro quo arrangement cized the FBI for not publicly releasing l Then-Assistant Director of Coun- between then-DAD in IOD [deputy many unclassified records related to terintelligence E.W. Priestap, now assistant director in Internation- the Clinton email-server investigation, retired; al Operations Division] and an as demanded by Congress. In his Undersecretary at the State Depart- cover note responding to Grassley’s l James Rybicki, former chief of staff ment whereby IOD would get more charge, Comey tells his top aides, “To to Comey; LEGAT [legal attaché] positions if be great is to be misunderstood.” Page the FBI could change the basis of then responds with, “Outstanding.” l FBI intelligence analyst Jonathan the FOIA withhold re a Clinton On October 23, 2016, Strzok Moffa; email from classified to some- forwarded to Page and others the Wall thing else.” [Emphasis added.] Street Journal article revealing that l Former Acting Assistant Director Andrew McCabe’s wife had received a Jason V. Herring; The lawsuit also forced the re- half million dollars for her Democratic lease of a November 6, 2016 email by state senate campaign. Page respond- l Michael Kortan, FBI assistant then-FBI official Peter Strzok telling ed that the article, “shaded or omitted director for public affairs, now Bowdich, Priestap, Rybicki, Page, for- or mischaracterized” facts “in order to retired; mer FBI General Counsel James Baker get out the story [the reporter] wanted and others: to tell.” She claimed the WSJ story l Former Principal Deputy General was just “another depressing chapter Counsel Trisha Anderson; and “[Redacted], Jon and I completed in this whole post-investigation saga.” our review of all of the potential “It is big news that just days before l Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. HRC work emails on the [Antho- the presidential election, Hillary ny Weiner] laptop. We found no Clinton’s personal lawyer pressured The emails show that a confer- previously unknown, potentially the top lawyer for the FBI on the ence call for the above senior officials classified emails on the media.” infamous Weiner laptop emails,” said was set up for the next day by Peter Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. Strzok. (Two days before the election, As Judicial Watch previously re- “These documents further underscore on November 6, Comey sent a second ported, there were at least 18 classified that the fix was in for Hillary Clinton. letter reporting that the FBI’s review of emails found on the Weiner laptop When will the Justice Department and the Weiner laptop material would not by the FBI. Paul Sperry’s RealClear FBI finally do an honest investigation change his “conclusion” that Hillary Investigations report revealed that of the Clinton email scandal?”

10 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Court Report JW Asks Justice IG To Investigate Any Leaks To CNN On Stone Raid And Leaks

Judicial Watch sent an official investigation is required due to an In its complaint, Judicial Watch complaint to the Justice Depart- apparent violation of “Limited Offi- asks for an investigation into the ment’s Office of Inspector General cial Use” information, which is “un- BuzzFeed question and “equal appli- (IG) on February 8 calling for inves- classified information of a sensitive, cation of the law,” considering “former tigations into leaks of information proprietary or personally private na- FBI Director James Comey launched about Special Counsel Robert Muel- ture which must be protected against a federal leak investigation following ler’s investigation. The complaint release to unauthorized individuals, comments made by former New York asks for an investigation of any leaks and this term is prescribed for use City Mayor Rudy Giuliani … suggest- to CNN about the controversial raid within the Department to signify ing that he had advance knowledge on the home of Roger Stone and for such information.” gleaned from federal agents of the leaks to BuzzFeed suggesting that On January 17, 2019, BuzzFeed reopening of the Hillary Clinton email President Trump directed Michael published an article titled, “President server investigation resulting from the Cohen to lie to Congress. Trump Directed His Attorney Michael discovery of Mrs. Clinton’s emails on On January 25, 2019, CNN was Cohen To Lie To Congress About The Anthony Weiner’s laptop.” the only media outlet to be present Moscow Tower Project.” In the arti- “The Justice Department IG must and shooting exclusive footage of cle, the authors reveal that they were immediately investigate leaks that the pre-dawn, SWAT-team-type raid given information, “according to two place law enforcement at risk and by the FBI when it arrested former federal law enforcement officials in- are designed to lawlessly destroy Trump associate Roger Stone at his volved in an investigation of the mat- President Trump,” stated Judicial home in Florida. Though CNN has ter.” Mueller’s office, in a rare public Watch President Tom Fitton. “Deep claimed that its being on-site in the rebuke, later disputed the story: State opponents of President Trump dark of night was merely a matter of shouldn’t be allowed to break the law “good instincts,” then-Acting Attor- “BuzzFeed’s description of specific to advance their effort to overthrow ney General Matthew Whitaker told statements to the Special Coun- the president.” a congressional committee in early sel’s Office, and characterization The Judicial Watch complaint is February, “It was deeply concerning of documents and testimony reprinted below: to me as to how CNN found out obtained by this office, regarding about that.” Michael Cohen’s Congressional “Dear Sir: In its complaint, Judicial Watch testimony are not accurate.” points out that an inspector general “Judicial Watch, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government and fidel- ity to the rule of law. We regularly monitor the operations of the federal government as part of our anti-corruption mission.

“This letter serves as our formal complaint for you to open investigations into two (2) matters related to Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation that we believe may involve violations of federal law and/or Department of Justice regulations.

AP PHOTO/ANDREW HARNIK “The first matter involves Special Counsel Robert Mueller See LEAKS on page 12

www.JudicialWatch.org 11 Court Report Leaks From page 11 reported leaks by federal law comments made by former New “The close proximity of civilians enforcement officials to reporters York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the form of CNN journalists at BuzzFeed News, an online in a Fox News interview in 2016 to the scene of an arrest that news outlet, alleging President suggesting that he had advance apparently required upwards of Trump directed his former legal knowledge gleaned from fed- two dozen heavily armed federal counsel, Michael Cohen, to lie to eral agents of the reopening of agents would seem to pose a phys- members of Congress in sworn the Hillary Clinton email server ical risk to those individuals. testimony. Specifically, BuzzFeed investigation resulting from the reporters Jason Leopold and discovery of Mrs. Clinton’s emails “Therefore, the apparent advance Anthony Cormier published an on Anthony Weiner’s laptop. unauthorized disclosures or notice article titled, “President Trump provided to CNN by federal offi- Directed His Attorney Michael http://jwatch.us/giuliani-fbi- cials of the pending arrest of Mr. Cohen To Lie To Congress About surprise Stone would appear to violate DOJ The Moscow Tower Project.” guidelines. Regulation 2620.7 also “Therefore, as a matter of equal stipulates: “The opening paragraph of the ar- application of the law, we request ticle, published on January 17, 2019, that a leak investigation related to ‘UNAUTHORIZED DISCLO- stated: the BuzzFeed reporters’ claims be SURE. Heads of Departmental undertaken. organizations shall ensure that ‘President Donald Trump prompt and appropriate admin- directed his longtime attorney “The second matter to which we istrative action is taken against Michael Cohen to lie to Con- bring your attention that requires personnel responsible for gress about negotiations to an Inspector General investigation disclosure of Limited Official build a Trump Tower in Mos- relates to the apparent advance Use material to unauthorized cow, according to two feder- unauthorized disclosure or notice individuals and issue appro- al law enforcement officials provided to CNN of the FBI arrest priate directives, if needed, to involved in an investigation of of former Trump associate Roger affect this action.’ the matter.’ Stone on January 25, 2019. “We hereby request that the http://jwatch.us/buzzfeed-cohen- “Specifically, information related Department of Justice Office of tower to the pending arrest of a suspect the Inspector General undertake would be considered Limited investigations into both afore- “We note that, according to pub- Official Use (LOU) information, mentioned apparent violations of lic reporting, former FBI Director which is governed by DOJ Regula- federal law and/or regulations. James Comey launched a feder- tion 2620.7, to wit: al leak investigation following “Thank you for your consideration ‘Limited Official Use information of this matter.

www is unclassified information of a sensitive, proprietary or person- “VERIFICATION “The close proximity of ally private nature which must be protected against release to civilians in the form of CNN “The individual submitting this unauthorized individuals, and complaint acknowledges that the journalists to the scene of an this term is prescribed for use information contained herein is arrest that apparently required within the Department to signify true and correct to the best of his upwards of two dozen heavily such information.’ knowledge and belief, pursuant to 18 u.s.c. § 1001. armed federal agents would “Among those categories of infor- seem to pose a physical risk to mation, the Department recom- “Submitted by, those individuals.” mends be on that could result in Thomas Fitton physical risk to individuals.” President ~ JW official complaint to Justice JUDICIAL WATCH, INC.” Department Inspector General http://jwatch.us/doj-official-use- www information

12 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Corruption Chronicles Migrants From Terrorist Nations Try To Enter U.S. Via Mexico At Record Rates

Federal agents along the Southern Border routinely encounter individuals from terrorist nations, and the Department of Homeland Security considers them one of the top threats to the United States, according to a congressional report made public in January. Titled, “Stopping Terrorist Travel Through Illicit Pathways to the Homeland,” the document outlines the findings of a lengthy investigation involving Special Interest Aliens (SIA) by the House Homeland Security Committee. SIAs are individuals from countries outside the Western Hemisphere — mostly the Middle

East, Asia and Africa — that pose a AP PHOTO/RAMON ESPINOSA national security risk to the U.S. In Migrants cross the river at the Mexico-U.S. border after pushing past a line of Mexican police, 2018 Laredo, Texas, alone there was an astounding 300 percent increase in hundreds of SIAs have entered special interest individuals resulted immigrants from Bangladesh, a South Colombia each year for the past in the seizure of tens of thousands Asian Islamic country well-known few years. In both countries, nearly of fraudulent documents — as a recruiting ground for terrorist all the SIA migrants were headed including passports and visas — groups such as ISIS and al-Qaida to the United States and originated that facilitated travel from their Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). from the Middle East, Asia and countries of origin through the Congressional investigators found Africa — including Syria, Pakistan, Americas.” that the number of SIAs flowing Afghanistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, north via Latin America has in- India, Eritrea and many others. The report includes several dis- creased tremendously in the last few Additionally, encounters with these turbing cases of Islamic terrorists years thanks to established Transi- who made it to the United States via tional Criminal Organizations (TCO) www Mexico. Among them are Moham- that facilitate travel along drug- and mad Aldairi, a Jordanian arrested last migrant-smuggling routes. “On a “Latin America and the summer in New York for illegally recent Committee staff-delegation Caribbean are the major smuggling SIAs from Yemen across trip to Latin America, Panamanian initial entry points to the the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas. officials communicated to Com- Others, according to information mittee staff that tens of thousands Western Hemisphere for SIAs included in the report include: Pa- of SIAs have entered Panama since [Special Interest Aliens].” kistani Sharafat Ali Khan, convict- 2014.” The report continues: ed for smuggling fellow Pakistanis ~ House Homeland Security with terrorism ties into the United “Colombian officials Committee Report States; Somalian Abdullah Omar communicated similar numbers Fidse, a member of the al-Shabab to Committee staff, stating that www See MIGRANTS page 14

www.JudicialWatch.org 13 Corruption Chronicles Migrants From page 13 in place, even for individuals from 630 Bangladeshi nationals have terrorist group; Somalian Ahmed ‘special interest’ countries. Last- been arrested trying to enter the Muhammed Dhakane, a member ly, the frequency of international U.S. illegally in Laredo, Texas alone. of al-Qaida-linked Al-Barakat and flights from ‘special interest’ regions That marks a 300-percent increase Al-Ittihad al-Islami; and Lebanese around the world into Latin Amer- from the previous year. “The routes Mahmoud Yousef Kourani, a fighter, ica and the Caribbean continues facilitating the illicit travel of these recruiter and fundraiser for Hezbol- to increase. These regional issues Bangladeshis are mostly controlled lah. Kourani paid a Beirut consular create an attractive environment by TCOs and drug cartels, which officer $3,000 for a Mexican visa and for illicit travel of SIAs and other charge tens of thousands of dollars an additional $4,000 to be smug- nefarious actors into the Western to smuggle SIAs and other migrants gled across the U.S.-Mexico border. Hemisphere with the end goal of across the U.S.,” the Committee Some of the other SIAs also operated reaching the United States.” writes. It also confirms what Judicial smuggling rings through South and Watch reported months ago, that the Central America. Adding to the problem is that recent migrant caravan has included “Latin America and the Caribbean Hezbollah is “growing at an alarming several SIAs and suspected terror- are the major initial entry points to rate in Latin America,” according to ists. Judicial Watch traveled to the the Western Hemisphere for SIAs,” Committee investigators. “Designat- Guatemala-Honduras border back in the House Homeland Security Com- ed as a Foreign Terrorist Organiza- October, and government sources in mittee report states. It concludes: tion (FTO) by the State Department, Guatemala confirmed that SIAs wait- Hezbollah has been operating in ing to get smuggled into the United “Many countries in the region Latin America since the early 1990s States through Central America inte- continue to face economic and when it worked with Iran to carry grated with poor Hondurans in the governance challenges, as well as out the 1994 bombing of a Jewish caravan. Among them were nation- consistently high levels of violent Community Center in Argentina,” als of Bangladesh, which appears on crime. Additionally, many of the according to the report. the Treasury Office of Foreign Asset countries in the Americas have le- The House investigation found Control’s Counter Terrorism Desig- nient visa and immigration policies that, as of September 2018, a record nations list.

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14 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Corruption Chronicles

JW INVESTIGATIVE BULLETIN Clinton Collusion By Micah Morrison JW Chief Investigative Reporter February 20, 2019 JUDICIAL WATCH Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into possible collusion with Russia by the Trump presidential campaign dominates the news, but

behind the scenes another bomb- AP PHOTO/MIKHAIL METZEL, POO shell story is coming together piece Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Vladivostok, Russia, 2012 by piece. Was the Clinton network knee-deep in Russians, and did the atomic energy corporation in 2010 was under FBI investigation. “The FBI shut down an investigation that received U.S. permission, including Justice Department has launched a would have provided answers about a sign-off from Hillary Clinton’s State new inquiry into whether the Clinton Clinton collusion? Department, to buy Uranium One, a Foundation engaged in any pay-to- Judicial Watch is one of the few Canadian company that owned signif- play politics or other illegal activities organizations in pursuit of the story. icant American uranium assets. Was while Hillary Clinton served as secre- We filed a Freedom of Information Act the Russian purchase of Uranium One tary of state,” Solomon reported. (FOIA) lawsuit against the Justice De- connected to payments to the Clin- In early February, Solomon was at partment after it failed to respond to ton network and improper actions by it again. Revisiting an episode that our request for “all communications” Secretary of State Clinton? has “escaped significant attention,” related to “the closure or possible Judicial Watch is lonely on the Solomon reports that there is “clear closure of an investigation into the story but not alone. The Hill’s indefat- evidence now that shows Hillary Clinton Foundation” in 2016. In Feb- igable John Solomon a year ago broke Clinton’s family and charity profited ruary, in a separate lawsuit, we uncov- the news that the Clinton Foundation from Moscow and simultaneously ered evidence pointing to undisclosed facilitated official government actions documents related to controversial FBI www benefitting Russia.” official Andrew McCabe and poten- The episode centers on the Skolko- tial charges against Mrs. Clinton. We “The Clintons financially vo Innovation Center, a high-tech sued for records of a meeting between benefited from Russia — business center launched in Moscow a top FBI official and an attorney for in 2009. Five years later, as Skolkovo a Clinton-connected law firm related personally and inside their entities expanded in the United States, to then-candidate Trump and Russia, charity — at the same time the FBI issued an extraordinary public a story first reported by Fox News. they were involved in U.S. warning, saying that the Skolkovo And, we’ve taken a skeptical look at connection “may be a means for the the appointment by then-Attorney government actions that Russian government to access our General Jeff Sessions of U.S. Attor- rewarded Moscow and nation’s sensitive or classified research ney John Huber to “evaluate certain development facilities and dual-use issues” rising from the 2016 election. increased U.S. security risks.” technologies.” One of those issues is the Uranium ~ John Solomon, The Hill Solomon notes that Secretary One controversy. Russia’s Rosatom www See COLLUSION page 16

www.JudicialWatch.org 15 Corruption Chronicles Collusion From page 15

of State Clinton’s “handprint was speech to a Russian investment bank, related to Skolkovo, Rosatom and everywhere” on the Skolkovo project, Renaissance Capital. Uranium One “shows that the part of an attempt by the United States Solomon reports that Bill Clinton Clintons financially benefited from to reboot Russia relations. Leading sought permission from the State De- Russia — personally and inside their the Russian side of the project was partment to meet with Vekselberg and charity — at the same time they were oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, a Putin- “Arkady Dvorkovich, a senior official involved in U.S. government actions connected billionaire and Clinton of Rosatom,” during the Moscow that rewarded Moscow and increased Foundation donor. Firms connected trip. This was at the time Rosatom U.S. security risks.” to the oligarch donated at least was “seeking State’s permission to $75,000 to the foundation. As the buy Uranium One.” The Washington Skolkovo collaboration got underway, Examiner notes that the Clintons’ Solomon reminds us, Bill Clinton “relationship to Vekselberg continued made his way to Moscow and was throughout Hillary Clinton’s time at paid a jaw-dropping $500,000 for a the State Department.” Solomon adds additional details on possible Clinton collusion with the Russians — read his full report Join over 5.3 million Facebook here: http://jwatch.us/democrats- Friends by “liking us” at case-for-russia-collusion. And, Viktor www.facebook.com/judicialwatch Vekselberg certainly is a busy man, making a cameo in the Mueller probe and turning up in various other sketchy endeavors. Not everything in the Russia story comes up as

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16 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Government

Documents Detail Nancy Pelosi’s $185,000 CODEL To Italy And Ukraine In 2015

Total Air Force expenses $184,587.81 www Judicial Watch obtained docu- l “All passenger manifests (DD- ments in January through a Freedom 2131) for transporting members “Speaker Pelosi has a of Information Act (FOIA) law- of Congress; and demonstrated record of suit against the Air Force detailing abusing the perks of office $134,587.81 plus $50,000 for an ad- l “All weekly travel reports for vance of funds for an “escort officer,” members of Congress.” that give her access to amounting to a total of $184.587.81 military luxury travel paid for for then-House Minority Leader The documents show that from by taxpayers.” Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) congressional July 30 to August 6, 2015 Pelosi took delegation (CODEL) to Italy and a trip to Milan, Rome and Naples, ~ Judicial Watch President Ukraine in 2015. Italy; and Kiev, Ukraine for herself, Tom Fitton Judicial Watch filed a December her husband, several members of 2015 FOIA lawsuit after the Air Congress and their spouses. The Italy www Force failed to respond to an August trip included visits to the Vatican 2015 request (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Museum, Sistine Chapel, Duomo and Department of Defense (No 1:15-cv- a viewing of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper.” civilian employers.” 02236)) for: The documents also show the Air The documents also detail a Force’s negative response to a Pelosi CODEL trip for Senator Cory Gard- l “All records regarding mission staff request for a specific crew for ner (R-CO), who traveled commer- taskings of flights escorting mem- Pelosi’s flight. An official notes that cial flights to Asia, including Tokyo bers of Congress; it “would be a disastrous precedent and Okinawa, Japan; Seoul, Korea; to set even if it were possible.” The plus Beijing and Hong Kong, China. l “All records concerning trans- Air Force further points out: “Our This trip, with flights and per diems, portation costs for transporting ARC crews have plenty to balance cost at least $26,009.03. members of Congress; already with military duties and their “Speaker Pelosi has a demonstrated record of abusing the perks of office Negative response by U.S. Air Force to a Pelosi staff request for a specific crew for Pelosi’s flight that give her access to military luxury travel paid for by taxpayers,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. Judicial Watch previously uncovered that Pelosi’s military travel cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 over one two-year period — $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. Judicial Watch’s work exposing Pelosi’s travel abuses resulted in her successor John Boehner’s declining to use Air Force luxury jets to travel to his Ohio congressional district.

www.JudicialWatch.org 17 Government Uncovered Food Stamp Fraud On The Rise As Government Allows “Retailer Trafficking”

Weeks after a federal audit blasted tensively on the rampant fraud in the the federal government for failing to program that costs American taxpay- curb rampant fraud in its multi-bil- ers a bewildering $64 billion annu- lion-dollar food stamp program, two ally to provide more than 20 million Ohio men have been indicted for households with free food. Less than operating a $2.7 million scheme that a year ago, nearly 200 people were spanned six years. One of the men, arrested in Florida for operating a 59-year-old Amin Salem, is a con- sophisticated ring in which 22,000 victed felon with a history of food fraudulent food stamp transactions stamp fraud, yet the feds took six www totaling $3.7 million were document- years to bust him, and he remained ed by a task force of local and federal a qualified food stamp retailer. The Late last year, a federal authorities. In 2016, the feds busted other man, Mohamed Salem, is his the largest food stamp fraud operation 32-year-old son, and federal pros- audit revealed that “retailer in history, a $13 million enterprise ecutors say they operated a highly trafficking” swindles the run by flea-market retailers in the lucrative food stamp trafficking ring government out of more largely black and Hispanic areas of in the Cleveland area with the help South Florida’s Miami-Dade County of a buddy named Zahran al-Qadan. than a billion dollars a year known as Opa-Locka and Hialeah. The father-and-son team ille- while the Department of There appears to be no end in gally accepted taxpayer-funded Agriculture sits by. sight to the corruption that has long food stamps at seven gas stations, infested the famously bloated pro- laundered the profits, had illegal www gram. Late last year, a federal audit firearms, operated an unregulat- revealed that “retailer trafficking” ed slaughterhouse and polluted a need,” said FBI Acting Special Agent swindles the government out of stream by dumping animal blood in Charge Robert E. Hughes. “Salem more than a billion dollars a year and other fluids into it, according to put others at risk by selling unsanitary, while the Department of Agriculture a statement issued by the U.S. De- unregulated food.” The FBI and U.S. sits by. The agency assumes that 90 partment of Justice. They have been Department of Agriculture, which percent of the benefits redeemed in charged with conspiracy to launder administers food stamps, reportedly small stores and 40 percent in large money and engaging in real estate investigated the Salems’ money- stores were trafficked, according to transactions using laundered food laundering operation for two years the audit, which was conducted by stamp proceeds. The father was also before obtaining enough evidence to the investigative arm of Congress. As charged with illegal possession of a charge them. The Internal Revenue if the widespread fraud weren’t bad 12-gauge shotgun and AR-15 long Service, as well as Ohio state agencies enough, the Agriculture Department rifle and operating an unregulated and Cleveland law enforcement, also allows it to occur even though a animal slaughterhouse. The animal participated in cracking the ring, 2008 law armed the agency with the meat was sold for food stamp bene- which fleeced American taxpayers out authority to strengthen penalties for fits, which were also accepted at the of millions of dollars. retailers caught trafficking. An Ag- Salems’ seven gas stations. Because Though this operation sticks out riculture Department division called papa Salem had been previously con- among others, food stamp fraud has Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) is victed of conspiring to defraud the been pervasive for years, and the responsible for rooting out the type government, food stamp fraud, mail alarming numbers have been well- of fraud and corruption that contin- fraud and money laundering, the documented by the government. The ue plaguing the food stamp program. transactions were processed in the USDA’s most recent figures show “As of November 2018, FNS had not son’s name as well as al-Qadan’s. about $1.1 billion in food stamp fraud implemented this authority,” accord- “This father-and-son duo engaged a year. Nearly 12 percent of retailers ing to congressional investigators: in various illegalities to include authorized by the government to “By failing to take timely action to stealing from every taxpaying citizen accept food stamps engage in illegal strengthen penalties, FNS has not by engaging in food stamp fraud, a practices, according to the agency. taken full advantage of an important program designed to help those in Judicial Watch has reported ex- tool for deterring trafficking.”

18 The Verdict l APRIL 2019 Judicial Watch

Judge Orders Clinton Email Handling Evidence to Be Disclosed Bloomberg December 7, 2018 A federal judge ordered the U.S. State Department to disclose possible evidence whether Hillary Clinton used her private email while she was secretary of state to intentionally flout public information requests for government documents. U.S. District Judge Royce Lam- berth in Washington on Thursday directed the State Department to work up a plan to provide relevant records to Judicial Watch, a conservative JW President Tom Fitton appears on Fox Business Network with host Lou Dobbs, February 2019 watchdog group that sued for emails related to the attack on the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi. Royce Lamberth said that despite FBI, down our 17-year entanglement in the The ruling may lead to new inspector general and congressional “graveyard of empires.” revelations about Clinton’s use of investigations into Clinton’s use of The next day, Defense Secretary her private email as well as the State a private account for all her email James Mattis tendered his resignation, Department’s handling of requests traffic during her four years as secre- citing President Trump’s “right to have filed under the Freedom of Informa- tary of state, the conservative group a Secretary of Defense whose views tion Act. Judicial Watch should be permitted are better aligned with yours.” Mattis The judge said the disclosure of to demand documents and additional prefaced that acknowledgment of the documents, and possibly interviews testimony about the practice. president’s prerogative, highlighting of officials to explain the records, is Lamberth, who has clashed with a philosophical commonality that needed to rule out “egregious govern- Clinton and her aides in cases dating Mattis apparently no longer felt ment misconduct.” back to her husband’s administration, comfortable acting upon: “Like you, was unsparing in his assessment of I have said from the beginning that Judge orders more fact-finding in the former secretary’s actions. He the armed forces of the United States Clinton email case blasted Clinton’s email practices as should not be the policeman of the Politico “one of the gravest modern offenses world. Instead, we must use all tools December 7, 2018 to government transparency.” of American power to provide for the The email controversy that common defense, including providing dogged Hillary Clinton through Media’s ‘19th nervous effective leadership to our alliances.” much of the 2016 presidential breakdown,’ as Trump fulfills *** race could well be kicking around another campaign promise The news media’s headlines through the 2020 contest after a The Hill articulated the latest flare-up of federal judge ordered additional December 27, 2018 their near-chronic psychoses — the fact-finding into whether Clinton’s President Trump declared victory political version of what rocker Mick use of the private email system was a over ISIS in Syria on Dec. 19 and Jagger meant when he sang, “Here it deliberate effort to thwart the Free- ordered the withdrawal of U.S. troops comes, here it comes … Here comes dom of Information Act. from the war-torn region, as well your 19th nervous breakdown.” In a scathing opinion issued as a substantial reduction in forces Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge deployed in Afghanistan — winding See MEDIA page 20

www.JudicialWatch.org 19 In the Media Media From page 19 Judicial Watch Sues for Special 2016, Federal Bureau of Investigation without pay. The real irony is that U.S. Counsel Robert Mueller’s Security (FBI) attorney Lisa Page revealed government workers in Afghanistan, Detail Costs President Obama’s direct involvement who were among those not being Breitbart in the insidiously corrupt Clinton paid, worked for two weeks to plan Op-ed by Judicial Watch President email investigation, texting her “secret the trip — and on a holiday weekend. Tom Fitton society” conspirator boyfriend, FBI January 3, 2019 Special Agent Peter Strzok: “Yes, bc ‘Air Pelosi’: Watchdog revisits In all the reporting that has been potus wants to know everything we House speaker’s hefty travel done regarding the Office of the are doing.” expenses on military aircraft Special Counsel, something notably Page’s text was a reply to Strzok, The Washington Times missing is a full accounting of what confirming that she was preparing January 28, 2019 the investigation is costing Americans, talking points for FBI Director James President Trump recently denied as well as any evidence of Trump-Rus- Comey to brief Obama on the sham House Speaker Nancy Pelosi the use of sia collusion. investigation. a military aircraft for a congressional To try to get more information on delegation trip to Afghanistan. Mr. Mueller’s basic operational budget, ‘Air Pelosi’ — What you don’t Trump’s decision prompted Judicial Judicial Watch just filed a Freedom know about the lucrative travel Watch President Tom Fitton to of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit our leaders enjoy on your dime revisit Mrs. Pelosi’s travel habits; the against the U.S. Department of Justice Fox News watchdog organization has tracked for records of costs incurred by and Op-ed by Judicial Watch President her use of military jets for more than logs maintained by the security detail Tom Fitton a decade through Defense Department for Special Counsel Robert Mueller. January 24, 2019 documents obtained through Freedom When President Trump denied of Information requests. Farrell: Bill Barr’s First Order of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi use “For years we have been exposing Business? Find Out What Obama of a military aircraft for a CODEL the lucrative travel our leaders enjoy Knew and When He Knew it (congressional delegation trip) to at taxpayer expense. We have long The Daily Caller Afghanistan recently, he called the noted Pelosi’s abuse of the perks of Op-ed by Judicial Watch Director public’s attention to wasteful taxpayer- public office that granted her access of Investigations and Research funded congressional travel. to luxury military travel,” Mr. Fitton Chris Farrell In his letter to Pelosi blocking wrote in an op-ed titled “Air Pelosi” January 10, 2019 the trip, President Trump mentioned for Fox News, providing numerous At 1:50 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, the 800,000 federal workers going examples.

JW Earns Nationwide Media Coverage 2/12 WMAL National – Live 2/12 Bill Martinez Radio National – Live January 19, 2019 – February 19, 2019 2/13 KNUS Denver, CO – Live The following list partially details recent radio and 2/15 Frank Gaffney Radio National – Live television appearances by Judicial Watch spokesmen, as 2/18 KMOX St. Louis, MO – Live well as general television and radio coverage of Judicial 2/19 KFTK St. Louis, MO – Live Watch’s investigations and lawsuits. TV Radio 1/19 Fox Business Network National – Mention 1/23 WMAL Washington, DC – Live 1/23 Fox News Channel National – Mention 1/28 Sirius XM National – Live 1/24 Fox Business Network National – Live 1/29 KQED San Francisco, CA – Live 1/25 Fox News Channel National – Live 1/29 WINS New York, NY – Mention 1/29 Fox News Channel National – Live 1/29 KOA Denver, CO – Mention 1/31 Fox Business Network National – Live 1/30 KIDO Boise, ID – Live 2/4 Fox Business Network National – Live 1/31 KNPR Las Vegas, NV – Mention 2/7 Fox News Channel National – Live 2/3 Milwaukee Public Radio Milwaukee, WI – Mention 2/7 OAN National – Live 2/4 Bloomberg Radio National – Mention 2/8 Newsmax TV National – Live 2/5 WMAL National – Live 2/11 Fox Business Network National – Live 2/6 Lars Larson Radio National – Live 2/12 OAN National – Live 2/7 WOAI San Antonio, TX – Live 2/18 Fox Business Network National – Live 2/8 WCBM Baltimore, MD – Live 2/8 KABC Los Angeles, CA – Live PLUS 464 More!

20 The Verdict l APRIL 2019