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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2002

A federal judge on Thursday ordered the Bush White House -- for the second time -- to turn over documents related to its energy policy task force.

U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan chastised government attorneys for stalling the case. They admitted in court that they hadn't reviewed all the documents they want to keep secret.

A judicial watchdog group and environmentalists want the documents because they believe Bush officials improperly met with the industry to shape the energy policy. Separately, the General Accounting Office has sued the White House over the same issue.

The plaintiffs have asked Sullivan to hold Vice President Dick Cheney and aides in contempt of court. The motion was filed yesterday.

The White House has until November 5 to hand over the documents, the judge ordered. But the administration plans to challenge the directive.

Get the Story:
Judge Orders White House Papers' Release (The Washington Post 10/18)
Govt. Haven't Read All Cheney Papers (AP 10/17)

Relevant Links:
Judicial Watch - http://www.judicialwatch.org

Get the Energy Policy:
Reliable, Affordable, and Environmentally Sound Energy for America’s Future (The White House 5/17)
ERRATA: Corrections (The White House 5/17)

Only on Indianz.Com:
Inside the Bush energy policy (5/18)

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