Dec 11 (Reuters) – A government accountability watchdog sued the U.S. Commerce and Justice departments on Thursday, seeking any communications or records related to deals President Donald Trump made with nine large law firms earlier this year.
The lawsuit, opens , filed by the group American Oversight in Washington, D.C. federal court, asked the court to force the handover of any contracts or agreements with the firms to provide “pro bono, discounted, and/or free work for the federal government,” as well as any legal analysis the agencies conducted regarding firms providing free or discounted government work.
The group said it filed eight record requests under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act on October 10 but did not get adequate responses.
“These records must be released so the public can see what was promised, what was surrendered, and whether those institutions lived up to the responsibilities they claim to uphold,” American Oversight executive director Chioma Chukwu said in a statement.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment. A spokesperson from the Commerce Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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