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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Garrett Russo: 202.408.5565

Publice Has a Right to Know What Tom Delay Did and How He Got Away with It

Why did disgraced former Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) never face
federal prosecution? The public has a right to know, but the Department
of Justice isn't telling. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in
Washington (CREW) has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with
the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting all documents and
communications related to the five year investigation into the former
Texas lawmaker and his associates. Mr.

WASHINGTON

Why did disgraced former Congressman Tom DeLay (R-TX) never face
federal prosecution? The public has a right to know, but the Department
of Justice isn't telling. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in
Washington (CREW) has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with
the Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting all documents and
communications related to the five year investigation into the former
Texas lawmaker and his associates. Mr. DeLay is slated to
face state charges in Texas later this month; as a result, CREW asked
DOJ to expedite a response to the request.

"One of the most corrupt members to ever walk the halls of Congress
will never have to answer for operating the House like a pay-to-play
casino. The American people deserve to know what evidence the Department
of Justice collected on Mr. DeLay and why that evidence was not
sufficient to charge him," said Melanie Sloan, CREW Executive Director.
"The Department of Justice has not made prosecuting crooked government
officials a top priority. The Public Integrity Section lacks the staff
and resources necessary to prosecute even some of Washington's
demonstrably most unscrupulous leaders. The Obama
administration must ensure this section has resources it needs to do its
job properly. After all, if Tom DeLay can get away with brazenly
selling legislative assistance to Jack Abramoff, who knows what other
scheming self-interested members of Congress might try?"

Click here to read to read CREW's FOIA request to the FBI.

Click here to read CREW's FOIA request exhibits.

Click here to read to read CREW's FOIA request letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Click here to read to read CREW's FOIA request for expedition to the DOJ.

Click here to read to read CREW's FOIA request for expedition exhibits for the DOJ.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting ethics and accountability in government and public life by targeting government officials -- regardless of party affiliation -- who sacrifice the common good to special interests. CREW advances its mission using a combination of research, litigation and media outreach.