Bush Met With Abramoff Records Show: DNC FOIA Uncovers Four New White House Visits
July 10, 2006
Today, the Bush Administration released a new set of records detailing four previously undisclosed White House visits by convicted former GOP superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, including a meeting with President Bush in the White House residence. The documents were sent to the Democratic National Committee late in the day in response to a FOIA request to receive the Worker and Visitor Entrance (WAVE) System records documenting Jack Abramoff’s access to the Bush White House.
The other undisclosed visits were with top White House staff including Bush’s personal secretary, a top staffer in the White House’s Office of Faith-Based Initiatives and Vice President Cheney’s domestic policy advisor. Outstanding questions remain about whether or not there are more details about additional White House visits by Abramoff. These records also do not provide information regarding White House visits made by Abramoff's cronies, including Michael Scanlon, Grover Norquist, Patrick Pizzella, Ralph Reed and David Safavian, which was also requested by the DNC.
The DNC filed an additional FOIA request with the White House in May 2006 after it learned that the Bush Administration changed the rules shortly after entering office and had ordered the Secret Service to hide the full WAVE records after 30 days without keeping copies -- thus giving the White House exclusive control of these records.
“These new records seem to contradict what the President and his aides have said about Bush’s contacts with convicted former Republican superlobbyist Jack Abramoff,” said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney. “Far from a routine visit, Abramoff had access to the White House residence and top staffers close to the President and Vice President. We assume that given the already dark ethical cloud hanging over the Bush White House, that the Administration will issue a response to explain this discrepancy and the nature of these meetings. The Democratic National Committee will continue to aggressively pursue the additional records concerning Abramoff and his cronies and will push for a full accounting of the facts.”
FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY SCOTT MCCLELLAN: "Well, I did do a check, and I indicated to you exactly what I just told you. I indicated to you that there were a few staff-level meetings that he attended at least -- he attended two holiday receptions, in 2001 and 2002. There are some 400 to 500 people at each of those gatherings. And of course there's a photo line at those holiday receptions." [Press Gaggle, 1/23/06]
PRESIDENT BUSH: Otherwise, Bush said, "I've had my picture taken with a lot of people. Having my picture taken with someone doesn't mean that I'm a friend with him or know him very well. ""I've had my picture taken with you," Bush said to the reporter who asked the question. Pressed further on his relationship with Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from his lobbying practices and has pledged to cooperate with investigators, Bush said, "I frankly don't even remember having my picture taken with the guy. I don't know him." [AP, 1/26/06]
Previously Undisclosed Bush-Abramoff Visits
DECEMBER 10, 2001: Abramoff Entered White House Residence For Event With Bush. Abramoff entered the White House Residence on December 10, 2001 to see President Bush at 6:02 pm. The WAVES request was submitted by Megan Johnston, who is the President's invitations coordinator for the East Wing Social Office. There were 326 other people at the meeting. [WH WAVES Records 4/2/03, Released 7-7-06; Daily Oklahoman, 5/6/01]
MARCH 1, 2001: Abramoff Entered the White House On March 1, 2001. Secret Service logs show that Abramoff was at the White House on March 1, 2001 from 4 pm to 6 pm. [WH WAVES Records 4/2/03, Released 7-7-06]
APRIL 20, 2001: Abramoff Entered White House Old Executive Office Building to See Cesar Conda, Domestic Policy Advisor to Vice President Cheney. Abramoff entered the White House Old Executive Office Building on April 20, 2001 to see Cesar Conda for a noon appointment. Abramoff and Conda met in Room 286. No other people are listed as being at the meeting. Cesar Conda was the Assistant to the Vice President for Domestic Policy and managed an office of six people. [WH WAVES Records 4/2/03, Released 7-7-06; U.S. Newswire, 6/23/06]
- Pizzella Nominated to Labor Department By Bush On April 25, 2001. "Patrick Pizzella was nominated for Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management at the Department of Labor by President Bush on April 25, 2001 and confirmed by the U. S. Senate on May 9, 2001." Before becoming Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Bush Administration, Pizzella was handpicked by Jack Abramoff to lobby for weakened labor standards for the Marianas Islands, together with David Safavian. [Department of Labor, 7/7/06; New Republic, 6/18/01; www.govbenefits.gov, Washington Technology, 3/7/05, AP, 5/3/05; www.sopr.senate.gov; Secretary of the Senate, 2/13/98; Washington Post, 4/6/05; www.senate.gov; Washington Post, 10/16/05]
MAY 17, 2001: Abramoff Entered White House Old Executive Office Building to See Catharine Ryun, Staff Member With the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives. Abramoff entered the White House Old Executive Office Building on May 17, 2001 to see Catharine Ryun at 9:15 am for a meeting with approximately 40 people. Catherine Ryun was the office administrator for the White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives. [WH WAVES Records 4/2/03, Released 7-7-06; Lawrence Journal-World, 7/4/01]
