Where is the OPR Torture Memo Report?

Senate Oversight Hearing Provides Opportunity for Answers

June 16, 2009, Washington, DC—Tomorrow, Attorney General Eric Holder is scheduled to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for an oversight hearing. 

"The Committee should ask the attorney general a simple question: Where is the Office of Professional Responsibility report on the writing of OLC's torture memos?," said Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron. 

The OPR report examines the possible professional misconduct of then-Office of Legal Counsel attorneys Jay Bybee, John Yoo, and Stephen Bradbury in crafting a series of memoranda that attempt to provide legal justification for torture.

OPR began its investigation five years ago and presented its report to Attorney General Mukasey last December.  Mukasey squelched release of the report until Bybee, Yoo and Bradbury had an opportunity to comment on it.  Those comments have long since been submitted, yet there is no indication when the report will be released.

"The American people have been waiting for answers for five years.  It's time to release the report," continued  Aron .  "Tomorrow's hearing is a good opportunity for senators to ask the question and for the attorney general to announce when he plans to issue the report," Aron concluded.