Press Releases

Knight Institute, on Behalf of CfA, files FOIA Lawsuit Seeking Disclosure of Office of Legal Counsel Opinions

On August 21, 2019, the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, on behalf of Campaign for Accountability (CfA) and five other plaintiffs, filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit to enforce a request for formal written opinions issued by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) prior to February 15, 1994. The request was filed on behalf of CfA and five scholars who believe their work on U.S. history, law, and politics would benefit from a more complete understanding of the legal opinions that have bound policymakers for decades.

New Report Reveals How U.S. Senator Mike Lee Switched from Prominent Google Critic to Reliable Tech Ally

On August 19, 2019, CfA, which runs the Google Transparency Project, published a new analysis, "The Curious Transformation of Mike Lee," which documents how Google used its power and influence to turn U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) into a reliable Google ally after years of antagonizing the company.

August 5, 2019 FEC, Press Releases, Themis Project

Watchdog Files FEC Complaint Against Susan B. Anthony List for Filing False Reports, Accepting Illegal Loan

On August 5, 2019, CfA filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) seeking an investigation into a PAC operated by the Susan B. Anthony List, and a conservative marketing firm, The Lukens Company.  The PAC, the Susan B. Anthony List Inc. Candidate Fund, appears to have violated the Federal Election Campaign Act and FEC regulations by filing inaccurate campaign finance reports and accepting an illegal corporate contribution from The Lukens Company.

Inspector General Confirms Investigation as Groups Uncover More Evidence of Political Interference at Interior

Western Values Project, a Montana-based nonprofit conservation group, and Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit watchdog group focused on public accountability, have uncovered additional evidence of political appointees interfering with public records at the Department of Interior, leading to requests being delayed or withheld – in a potential violation of open records laws. In response, the groups submitted the new information to Interior’s Acting Inspector General as part of a request for an investigation into Interior’s troubling practices. In response to the groups’ request, the Inspector General confirmed an investigation into the practice will begin.

CfA Releases New Report Showing Connected Commerce Council is Big Tech’s Latest Astroturf Campaign

On July 16, 2019, CfA released a new report, Plumbers, Pub-Keepers and Notaries: Big Tech’s New Disguise, revealing that the Connected Commerce Council (3C), a small, newly-founded Washington-based nonprofit that bills itself as the “voice of small business,” appears to be an Astroturf-style front group for the nation’s largest technology companies.

Coalition of Watchdog Groups Calls for IG Investigation of Interior Department’s FOIA Awareness Process

On June 17, 2019, CfA along with American Oversight, American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, Democracy Forward, and Western Values Project, filed a complaint with the Office of Inspector General at the U.S. Department of the Interior (Interior) calling for an investigation of the agency’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Awareness Process.  Political appointees at Interior appear to be using the Awareness Process to interfere with the release of documents in response to FOIA requests.

Get the latest news and actions

Sign up for updates