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| CREW Cuts | August 2007/ Issue #4 | |
CREW Files Senate Ethics Complaint Againt Sen. David Vitter 
On July 19th, CREW filed a Senate Ethics complaint against Senator David Vitter (R-LA) asking for an investigation into whether he violated the Senate Rules of Conduct by soliciting for prostitution. On July 9th, it was reported that Sen.Vitter's telephone number was included in the so-called "D.C. Madam," Deborah Jeane Palfrey's, list of client telephone numbers. Sen. Vitter confirmed that he had sought Ms. Palfrey's services, saying in a statement, "this was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible." Engaging the services of a prostitute violates District of Columbia criminal law. Whether or not Sen. Vitter is ultimately adjudicated to have broken any criminal laws, the Senate may still discipline him for engaging in improper conduct that reflects upon the Senate. Read CREW's complaint Read the New Orleans Times-Picayune story CREW Releases Report Detailing International Assistance Offers in Wake of Hurricane Katrina  On July 27th, CREW released a comprehensive matrix detailing the offers of assistance made by 145 foreign countries and 12 international organizations in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.CREW's matrix is based on 25,000 Department of State documents uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit filed in December 2005 for records relating to the federal government's handling and acceptance of international offers of aid after Hurricane Katrina. The matrix includes all international offers, whether they were rejected or accepted and the reasons why, if available. The documents CREW reviewed reveal that bureaucratic bungling and indifference led the United States to reject offers of goods and services desperately needed by hurricane victims. View the full matrix and read the Katrina response documents Read The Washington Post story on CREW's report |
CREW'S Efforts to Hold Alberto Gonzales Accountable for His Actions CREW has long been working to hold Attorney General Alberto Gonzales accountable for his conduct. In January, 2005, CREW filed a bar complaint with the State Bar of Texas requesting an investigation into misrepresentations then-White House Counsel Gonzales had made in a written response to the Senate Judiciary committee, which was considering him for U.S. Attorney General. The Bar dismissed CREW's complaint without investigation. Two years later, in March, 2007, CREW asked Attorney General Gonzales to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate potential criminal violations related to the dismissals of eight U.S. Attorneys. CREW also asked the Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to investigate the matter. While the IG and OPR are now conducting probes into the firings, Gonzales has refused to appoint a Special Prosecutor. On July 11th, CREW issued a report explaining why holding former White House officials in contempt for refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas issued in connection with the scandal won't give Congress the information it seeks. CREW's report explains the legal hurdles Congress faces in seeking contempt and outlines alternative solutions. Read the San Francisco Chronicl editorial authored by CREW executive director Melanie Sloan detailing the contempt issue Read CREW's report
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| (c) 2007 Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, all rights reserved. | |||
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