CREW Files Appeal To Force Agency To Release Communications Regarding Destruction Of Abramoff Secret Service Visitor Records

National Archives and Records Administration Appears to be Under Direct Orders from Bush Admin. to Keep Records Private

Washington, DC – Today Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed an administrative appeal with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for failing to disclose communications regarding the handling of Secret Service visitor records. CREW is seeking records of communications NARA had with the Secret Service regarding the agency’s practice of destroying visitor records to the White House. According to the Secret Service, it stopped destroying records in October 2004 at NARA’s direction. NARA has refused to disclose the documents, claiming they are protected by the deliberative process privilege and exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

CREW is already in litigation with the Secret Service over its refusal to produce all records of White House visits made by Jack Abramoff and his associates.