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The Department of Justice has no plans to change its policies on handling possible violations of the Lobbying and Disclosure Act, despite new reports that it has a backlog of 900 unresolved cases.
The backlog has led to withering criticism from watchdog groups, who argue it illustrates the low priority Justice places on lobbying disclosure violations. They also note that Congress signaled it wanted Justice to take a more aggressive approach when it approved a new lobbying law last year that increases fines and allows Justice to impose criminal penalties for some infractions.
Channing Phillips, the spokesman for the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, which evaluates potential violations of the federal Lobbying and Disclosure Act, said Justice has no plans to devote more staff, time or attention to the cases.
“Currently, the system in place is able to adequately handle the referrals received from Congress, which are given the appropriate degree of attention and scrutiny,” he said in response to questions.
Phillips said government prosecutors are “grateful” for Congress’s decision to add the criminal penalties, and noted that they will incorporate this new “tool” into their process of reviewing possible infractions.
Gerald Hebert, the executive director of the Campaign Legal Center, calls the 900-case backlog “disturbing” and plans to send a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey as early as Monday asking that the department give greater priority and resources to lobbying disclosure enforcement matters.
“These laws are really important to ensure that the public trusts our system of government and that people are going to be held accountable who violate the law,” Hebert said. “It doesn’t do the Department of Justice much good to have an image as a paper tiger when it comes to bringing cases that involve lobbying violations.”
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