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| For Immediate Release | |
| Mar 15, 1999 | Contact: Press Office 202-646-5172 |
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Judicial Watch Suit Reveals Likely Continuing Breaches of National Security At Clinton Commerce Department (Washington, DC-March 15) In the lawsuit which uncovered John Huang and sparked the Chinagate scandal, Judicial Watch recently deposed the head of the China desk at the Clinton Commerce Department, Mr. Donald Forest. Forest revealed that, contrary to commitments made by current Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, anyone with a top secret clearance could still take classified documents out of the Department without any supervision. The Clinton Commerce Department has been the scene of controversy in the last several years, when it was revealed that John Huang -- a suspected Chinese agent -- not only received hundreds of security briefings (see John Huang diaries at www.judicialwatch.org), but also frequently visited the Stephens Group across the street, where he may have passed classified information to the Chinese. Bob Woodward, famed Watergate reporter, has written that Huang did pass classified information to the Chinese. Judicial Watch will redepose Huang next month. In its lawsuit, Judicial Watch previously discovered that John Huang confidant Ira Sockowitz took classified satellite encryptions and CIA reports on China, India and Russia when he left the employ of the Clinton Commerce Department. Sockowitz and other Huang confidants went on Clinton trade missions to China. Nolanda Hill, former business partner of Ron Brown, has testified that the Chinese trade mission was intended, in large part, to further the business interests of Lippo Group, John Huang's former employer, and other Chinese interests. Judicial Watch continues to investigate these serious matters, in its five lawsuits concerning Chinagate. "The security breaches are not limited to Los Alamos, but are widespread and continuing," stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman. For a summary of what has been learned to date, see the Judicial Watch Interim Report at www.judicialwatch.org. |
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