September 15, 2014, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Nathan Mehrens today issued the following statement demanding the resignation or firing of White House General Counsel Lamar Baker, Associate White House Counsel Kathleen Harnett, and Deputy Solicitor of Labor Deborah Greenfield for conspiring to conceal documents legitimately requested under the Freedom of Information Act:
“It is appalling that a simple request for the schedule of then-Labor Secretary Hilda Solis was elevated to the highest levels of the White House in an attempt to conceal her activities. White House General Counsel Lamar Baker even went so far as to demand our identity clearly to determine whether or not to release the information under the Freedom of Information Act.
“FOIA was never supposed to be give information to your friends and withhold it from your critics. In fact, it is intended just for the opposite purpose. The cavalier abuse of this fundamental government transparency tool should result in the resignations or firing of White House General Counsel Lamar Baker, Associate White House Counsel Kathleen Harnett, and Deputy Solicitor of Labor Deborah Greenfield.”
Documents show that ALG’s FOIA appeal was delayed by over two years:
Sept. 1, 2010: In response to a Jan. 14, 2010 FOIA request from ALG, DOL withheld a calendar entry showing that Solis met with Cecilia Munoz from White House on April 7, 2009.
Oct. 26, 2010: ALG files FOIA appeal, challenging redactions.
Approx. March 2012: Solis makes a fundraising call to a DOL employee during business hours in order to aid the President’s reelection campaign.
Apr. 8, 2013 to May 6, 2013: DOL finally consults with White House Counsel’s Office about releasing the calendar entry; White House agrees to release.
May 20, 2013: DOL issues final response to ALG which includes the production of the calendar with the calendar entry.
Interview Availability: Please contact Americans for Limited Government at 703-383-0880 ext. 106 or at media@limitgov.org to arrange an interview with ALG experts including ALG President Nathan Mehrens.
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