Privacy Group Sues for Patriot Act Papers

By TED BRIDIS
Associated Press Writer

October 14, 2003, 5:18 PM EDT


WASHINGTON -- A civil liberties group sued the Justice Department on Tuesday seeking internal documents about lobbying by federal prosecutors to discourage Congress from approving major changes to the Patriot Act.

The Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center sought quick release of documents related to an Aug. 14 memorandum from Guy A. Lewis, the director of the executive office for United States Attorneys.

In his August memo, Lewis urged prosecutors "to call personally or meet with ... congressional representatives" to argue against an amendment offered by Rep. C.L. "Butch" Otter, R-Idaho, that would cut federal funds for so-called "sneak and peak" warrants in terror cases.

Such warrants allow the FBI, with a judge's approval, to sneak into a suspect's home, office or vehicle for surveillance without immediately notifying the target of the investigation. They are among the most controversial provisions of the Patriot Act, which allowed expanded use of such searches.

more..............

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-justice-lobbying,0,3990151.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

It's an AP story that we can get to the top of the highest rated page at Yahoo News.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031014/ap_on_go_ot/justice_lobbying_1

Come back here and let us know the rating and whether or not it's hit the highest rated page yet. Keep at it because some stories get freeped after they move onto this page.

NT!

Now it is 4.42 with 32 votes.......