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| For Immediate Release | |
| Mar 28, 2001 | Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
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Governor Cites “Deliberative Process Privilege” and Says No Documents Should Be Released Concerning Energy Crisis LA Court Hearing Set for April 17 (Washington, D.C.) Judicial Watch, the non-partisan public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government corruption and abuse, announced today that Governor Gray Davis is asking a court to protect him from having to turn over any documents concerning the California energy crisis under the California Public Records Act. (Judicial Watch has its West Coast headquarters in San Marino, California.) Judicial Watch had sought documents from Davis under the law, including documents concerning the relationship between campaign contributions and energy policy, but was forced to file suit after Governor Davis refused to turn over one document to the public interest firm. In his answer to the lawsuit, Gov. Davis said that he would not turn over any documents in the “public interest” and that the Court should “determine that the Governor need not release any records to his handling of the energy crisis.” In other legal documents, the Governor invoked his earlier “State of Emergency” on the energy crisis as an excuse not to turn over any documents. Published reports show that Governor Davis raised at least $515,000 from California’s major utility companies since 1998. “Governor Davis' audacious request that he be exempted from the California Public Records Act can only mean one thing – that he has something to hide. Governor Davis is not above the law and should comply immediately with our request for documents. The public has the right to know,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. “Judicial Watch’s lawsuit to disgorge documents from Davis is one of many legal actions we have planned concerning the energy crisis. This energy crisis, which is likely to spread nationwide, is the product of government and private corruption and we plan to hold accountable those responsible in both the public and private sector,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. |
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