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| For Immediate Release | |
| Jun 12, 2001 | Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
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But Inquiry Should Include Investigation of Ties Between Chairman Carl Levin and China’s and John Huang’s Lippo Group (Washington, DC) Judicial Watch, the public interest law firm that investigates and prosecutes government abuse and corruption, applauds the decision by Senator Carl M. Levin (D-MI), the new Chairman of the Senate Government Affairs Committee Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, to prove possible collusion, price fixing and market manipulation by energy companies who appear to be gouging the American consumer by taking advantage of the burgeoning energy crisis. Judicial Watch has already instituted its own investigation against California Governor Gray Davis, and the Bush-Cheney Administration to determine whether or not politicians who have received large contributions from the energy interests are representing these interests or the American people. Just yesterday, Judicial Watch filed a Freedom of Information Act Request to obtain all documents concerning what appears to be a de facto federal advisory committee on energy set up under the auspices of the Bush-Cheney White House. This advisory committee has recommended energy policy heavily weighted in favor of the energy companies. On the other side of the coin, Judicial Watch has instituted a lawsuit against California Governor Gray Davis who took over $450,000 from political campaign contributions from utility companies who have overcharged California consumers over $20 billion. A hearing is set in Los Angeles Superior Court for next Tuesday, June 19, 2001. “It may be that both the energy companies, in conjunction with the utility companies, are taking advantage of the energy crisis to “rip off” the American people. The suspicion lies with both Democratic and Republican politicians who have taken huge contributions from these entities. Indeed, the Bush-Cheney Administration has taken huge contributions from Enron Corporation, and Karl Rove, the White House Chief of Staff, among many others, have thus far failed to divest himself from ownership of shares of stock in Enron and other energy companies,” stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. “Enron was also cozy with the Clinton-Gore Administration and made huge contributions to Democratic Party interests. It is implicated in the Chinagate scandal,” added Klayman. “In addition, Senator Levin, who now chairs the Senate Government Affairs Committee Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, has taken money from John Huang of the Lippo Group. Lippo owns huge energy interests in Asia, where production influences U.S. supply. During the Clinton-Gore Administration, Lippo attempted and effectuated joint venture agreements with Chinese and other Asian Companies in conjunction with American interests – all under the auspices of Ron Brown’s corrupt Commerce Department trade mission program. This needs to be thoroughly investigated,” added Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. |
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