How many better ways are there to resolve questions about handling requests under the federal Freedom of Information Act under an Obama administration dedicated to transparency than having the discussions in secret?
Apparently none.
That's according to a report today from Judicial Watch, the Washington-based organization that tracks down, reports on and prosecutes government corruption.
The organization is reporting that it has obtained documents revealing how the Obama White House decided to prevent reporters from attending a FOIA training workshop conducted by the Office of Information Policy in the U.S. Department of Justice.
The organization filed a request for details about the seminar on Dec. 7, 2009, which was the same day the workshop was held.
"There is a scandalously wide gap between Barack Obama's rhetoric on transparency and the secretive policies of his administration," said Tom Fitton, president of Judicial Watch. "These documents suggest that it is the Obama White House that is directly responsible for this unprecedented lack of transparency.
"Only in Washington would political appointees think it appropriate to keep secret a government workshop on transparency. And only in Washington would a politician promote his efforts on transparency while simultaneously taking steps to keep the American people in the dark about their government," he said.
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A letter signed by Carmen L. Mallon, chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Information Policy, said searches had been done – and "four pages of material have been located that are responsive."
Among the emails that were exchanged between the White House staff and the OIP was one from Brian Hauck, counsel to the associate attorney general, to Melanie Pustay, OIP director, and Gina Talamona, press release deputy director for the DOJ, the day of the meeting.
"I think you have the right to give closed training when you want it," Hauck wrote.
"After talking with … ben labolt (then-assistant White House press secretary), the decision is that the training will be closed to the press," Talamona wrote to Pustay and Hauck, the same day.
Blake Roberts, deputy associate White House counsel, earlier had told Pustay, "OK – please don't have them reach out to any reporters before I clear w/wh (White House)."
And Pustay even earlier had written, "I am going to touch base with my public affairs office re your suggestion to get their reaction. I, personally don't object as my message is the same whether the event is open or not. Our concern had been solely with the inhibiting effect it would have on the gov't 'ees [employees] who might not speak freely if press are there."
Pustay also said that the practice was for "parallel sessions, one for agency 'ees [employees] and then one that is open."
Another note from Hauck said, "Gina, if the reporter comes, I suspect you'll have to set some pretty firm ground rules."
The training session was for the OIP and the Office of Government Information Services, the OGIS, to tell public liaison staff members how to communicate and negotiate with those requesting information, and resolve disputes with individuals and organizations submitting FOIA requests.
Judicial Watch noted that on his first full day in office, Obama promised to "usher in a new era of open government" and that his goal was that FOIA actions should be handled "with a clear presumption: in the face of doubt, openness prevails."
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