The Hill News

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department Wednesday for not providing the non-profit watchdog group with records pertaining to the closed investigations into Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska).

The DOJ denied CREW’s initial request for documents in January, under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), saying they would reveal confidential sources and violate Young’s privacy rights.

But on Wednesday CREW filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court of the District of Columbia appealing the DOJ’s rejection. The group, which focuses on ethics issues on Capitol Hill, is seeking any information that may indicate why the DOJ did not criminally prosecute Young.

The DOJ investigated at least two claims against Young, who is the former chairman of the House Transportation Committee, on charges that he allegedly received unreported money from an Alaska oil pipeline company and that he alleg! edly used an earmark to enter into a quid quo pro agreement with a campaign donor.

In August, Young’s office said that the DOJ had wrapped up its investigations. No charges were filed.

Young’s office declined to comment to CREW’s lawsuit.