WASHINGTON — Conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch Inc. filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit Thursday against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The group, which has peppered the agency with FOIA requests since before it became an independent agency, is seeking information relating to Director Richard Cordray's January recess appointment.
The suit, filed in federal court in Washington, claims the CFPB has failed to provide a final response to several Judicial Watch FOIA requests, including records of communications between the White House, the Treasury Department, members of Congress and the Executive Office of the President regarding the appointment, and communications concerning President Obama's visit to the bureau on Jan. 6.
The group is even requesting records of reimbursement, reservations and any other travel documents relating to lodging and travel for Cordray, his family, guests and the Ohio judge who accepted his oath of office on Jan. 12.
"We believe the appointment was unconstitutional and an abuse of office, and the fact that we're not able to get these basic requests for information answered raises further questions about what's going on over there," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said Friday.
