WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democracy Defenders Fund (DDF) has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking the release of audio and video recordings and investigatory records related to the FBI’s corruption investigation of Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s “Border Czar.” The filing comes following reporting that Homan received $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents in exchange for assistance in winning government contracts. Despite the ostensibly damning reports, the investigation was abruptly ended by Trump appointees.

In the filing, DDF requests all records related to the FBI’s investigation of Tom Homan’s alleged corruption including original and unedited audio recordings, video footage, and photographs taken or collected in connection with his communications with FBI agents concerning promises to provide government contracts.

“If these reports are accurate, Tom Homan absolutely trampled over ethical lines. Accepting $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents to peddle government contracts is textbook corruption. It doesn’t get any more straightforward than that," said Virginia Canter, chief counsel and director of ethics and anti-corruption at Democracy Defenders Fund. “The American people deserve to see the tapes and the files, and we’re fighting to make sure that they can.”

DDF also sent a formal letter to the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) requesting an investigation into whether Homan falsified his required public financial disclosure report by failing to disclose the $50,000 payment.

UPDATE: Following recent reports indicating that Homan participated in contract discussions related to detention services with several of his former clients, DDF sent an additional letter to OGE urging them to widen its probe. 

“In the vast majority of cases, federal law prohibits federal employees from participating in government contract matters with former clients,” said Canter. “Any reasonable person would have questions about whether Homan could be impartial in those discussions, particularly given the FBI's investigation into his acceptance of $50,000 for purportedly influencing these types of contract. This must be scrutinized and there must be accountability."

The FOIA was sent on an expedited basis and can be viewed HERE

The letter to the OGE can be found HERE

The FOIA request includes a demand for an agency-wide preservation hold on potentially responsive documents in anticipation of potential litigation.

“It’s also important to note, this isn't happening in a vacuum. It’s part of a well-documented pattern of corruption and conflicts of interest among Trump administration officials and is particularly egregious given the human cost and conflict of interest as ICE continues to disappear people off the streets,” said Canter.

A recent ruling by the Supreme Court allows ICE agents to profile people based on how they look or speak. Private prisons are beholden to their shareholders, and they are making a profit by incarcerating immigrants in reportedly inhumane conditions.

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Democracy Defenders Fund brings together a nonpartisan team to work with national, state, and local allies across the country to defend in real-time the foundations of our democracy.