May, 20 2009, 05:06pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Jordan Libowitz,,jlibowitz@citizensforethics.org,.
CREW Issues Statement on Government's Opposition to the Supreme Court Considering the Dismissal of the Wilsons' Lawsuit
WASHINGTON
Earlier today, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington
(CREW) learned that the Obama administration is opposing our request
that the Supreme Court reconsider the dismissal of the lawsuit, Wilson v. Libby, et al.
In that case, the district court had dismissed the claims of Joe and
Valerie Wilson against former Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove,
Scooter Libby and Richard Armitage for their gross violations of the
Wilsons' constitutional rights. Agreeing with the Bush administration,
the Obama Justice Department argues the Wilsons have no legitimate
grounds to sue. It is surprising that the first time the
Obama administration has been required to take a public position on
this matter, the administration is so closely aligning itself with the
Bush administration's views. In fact, the Obama administration has gone
one step further, suggesting Mr. Wilson failed to provide any evidence
that Mr. Cheney, Mr. Rove or Mr. Libby harmed him. This is particularly
ironic because the government had moved to have the case dismissed
before the Wilsons had the opportunity to uncover the details of how
Ms. Wilson's covert identity was revealed.
Melanie Sloan, the executive director of CREW and one of the
Wilsons' attorneys, said, "We are deeply disappointed that the Obama
administration has failed to recognize the grievous harm top Bush White
House officials inflicted on Joe and Valerie Wilson. The government's
position cannot be reconciled with President Obama's oft-stated
commitment to once again make government officials accountable for
their actions."
Click here to read the government's opposition to the Wilsons' Supreme Court Cert. Petition.
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.
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