Eight Oversight Committee Democrats Renew Call for Investigation of News Corp. on Heels of 9-11 Anniversary

Sep 12, 2011
Press Release

Washington, DC – Amid allegations that Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation sought to hack the telephones of September 11th victims and other U.S. citizens, Congressmen Bruce Braley (IA-01) and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (MD-07), joined by six other Oversight Committee Members, called on Chairman Darrell Issa today to investigate the allegations.

Rep. Braley previously sent two letters to Chairman Issa, one with fellow Committee Member John F. Tierney, following reports that the company and its subsidiaries may have bribed foreign law enforcement officials and potentially hacked the phone lines of U.S. citizens. Chairman Issa has not responded to either of these letters. 

Since these requests, the Justice Department reportedly has opened a preliminary criminal investigation into these allegations, including whether the actions of News Corp. officials may have violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

“As you know, we have just observed the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on our nation and these victims deserve to know whether they were targeted in this offensive and potentially illegal manner,” the letter said.  “We request that the Committee at least take preliminary steps to determine how to proceed, such as meeting with the September 11th families, consulting with the Department of Justice, and pursuing other measures the Committee has utilized in many other investigations.”

“I’m extremely disappointed that Chairman Issa has not responded to my repeated calls for an investigation of News Corp,” said Rep. Braley. “I’m pleased that Ranking Member Cummings and six Oversight Committee members have now joined me in calling for this investigation. Yesterday, our nation observed the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The victim’s families of these horrific attacks deserve to know whether their loved ones were targeted in this offensive and potentially illegal manner.”

“The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a responsibility to protect the interests of U.S. citizens against the illegal actions of corporations, regardless of their political leanings,” the letter said.

###

112th Congress