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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jordan Libowitz,,jlibowitz@citizensforethics.org,.

CREW Files FOIA Request with FTC: How Many Complaints Must be Filed to Launch an Investigation?

Today CREW sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a follow-up to the FTC's refusal to
initiate an investigation into the practices of the Freedom Alliance,
Freedom Concerts, Premier Marketing, Sean Hannity, Lt. Col. Oliver
North, and Duane Ward and that appear to violate the law by falsely
suggesting the proceeds of all ticket sales for the Freedom Concerts go
to college scholarships for the children of deceased and wounded
military service members.

WASHINGTON

Today CREW sent a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as a follow-up to the FTC's refusal to
initiate an investigation into the practices of the Freedom Alliance,
Freedom Concerts, Premier Marketing, Sean Hannity, Lt. Col. Oliver
North, and Duane Ward and that appear to violate the law by falsely
suggesting the proceeds of all ticket sales for the Freedom Concerts go
to college scholarships for the children of deceased and wounded
military service members. Despite the fact that CREW's complaint to the
FTC outlined a pattern of repeated conduct by numerous individuals and
entities over a period of time, the FTC responded it does not resolve
"individual complaints," but instead acts only when it receives
"numerous complaints." CREW's FOIA request seeks information relating
to the number of complaints the FTC received before it investigated and
acted on similar claims related to other charities in May 2009 as part
of its Operation False Charity.

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.