White House to release logs of Abramoff
visits
CNN From Ed Henry May 1, 2006 WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Despite repeated White House objections to the release of documents related to Jack Abramoff's visits to the White House, the Secret Service has agreed to produce all logs detailing the disgraced lobbyist's meetings, according to a court filing released Monday. The Secret Service agreed on April 25 to drop any objections to turning over the information and will "produce any and all documents" on or before May 10, according to the filing released by the conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch, which filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on February 2. Judicial Watch officials have said they believe the records will show the frequency and length of Abramoff's visits to the White House in recent years and could shed light on the former lobbyist's relationship with the White House. "The American people deserve the truth concerning admitted felon Jack Abramoff's visits and meetings with Bush administration officials in the White House," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said. "We don't know what these records will show, but it's time we get more of the facts on the table." The group filed a lawsuit on February 22 after the Secret Service did not initially turn over the documents. The court filing, signed by Judge John Garrett Penn of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, also stipulates the Secret Service will release the documents "without redactions or claims of exemptions" this month. The White House referred a request for comment to the Justice Department, which is handling the matter. An official at the Justice Department, which is representing the Secret Service, confirmed to CNN that the Abramoff documents "will be turned over on or before May 10" without redaction. Abramoff pleaded guilty to corruption charges on January 3 in a case that has become a central element in Democrats' election-year claim that there's a Republican "culture of corruption" in Washington. As part of a plea deal, he has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors in an investigation that has primarily focused on the lobbyist's dealing with members of Congress and congressional staff. Questions have also been raised about Abramoff's contact with White House officials, including President Bush. When reporters in January pressed him on his relationship with Abramoff, the president said, "I've never sat down with him and had a discussion with the guy." White House aides have confirmed that Abramoff attended holiday parties at the White House and had some "staff-level meetings" as well. While White House officials have been careful not to rule out the possibility that other Bush-Abramoff meetings occurred, they have refused to turn over any documents detailing who at the White House has met with Abramoff and under what circumstances. Commentary: |