Legal Filings

Jan 11, 2005

CREW Files FOIAs to Uncover Government Agency Dealings with PR Firms

FOIA Requests (Legal Filings), Federal Agencies, Department of Education, FOIA

In light of reports that conservative journalist and pundit Armstrong Williams received $240,000 from the Department of Education (DOE) through a contract with Ketchum Public Relations, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) today has filed a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to 23 government agencies, including all cabinet agencies.

Last week, Williams admitted to supporting the "No Child Left Behind" program in his radio broadcasts, television appearances and columns in exchange for the large payment from DOE. The agreement is in violation of the Publicity and Propaganda clause included in annual appropriations bills for decades.

CREW has filed FOIAs with 23 agencies requesting copies of all contracts with public relation firms, including Ketchum and Fleishman-Hillard. Both firms have contracted with the government resulting in similar controversies, and in violation of the Publicity and Propaganda clause. The Williams case is the fourth that has become public. Previously, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) criticized the Department of Health and Human Services for having Ketchum create fake news footage in support of the new Medicare Bill. GAO is also investigating another contract between Ketchum and DOE and a contract between the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Fleischman-Hillard.

Click here to read CREW's documents.