Contact: Jill Farrell, Judicial Watch, 202-646-5188
 
WASHINGTON, Sept.  25, 2015 /Standard Newswire/ -- Judicial Watch released new State Department records today that reveal former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton personally signed the authorization for Huma Abedin, her the then-deputy chief of staff, to become a special government employee.

The records also show that Abedin declined to provide complete information about her husband Anthony Weiner's financial dealings. The records were uncovered as a result of a court order in a Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit that seeks records about the controversial employment status of Abedin (Judicial Watch v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:13-cv-01363)). The records show Abedin used a clintonemail.com account to communicate about her special status.

In February 2014, the State Department assured Judicial Watch that it had searched several individual offices of the department, including the office of the executive secretary, which would have included the offices of the secretary of State and top staff. Relying upon the State Department's misrepresentation that the agency conducted a reasonable search, Judicial Watch agreed to dismiss its lawsuit on March 14, 2014. Judge Emmet Sullivan reopened the lawsuit on June 19, 2015, in response to revelations about Clinton's separate email system.

The newly uncovered documents show that Clinton personally signed the form for Abedin's appointment as a Special Government Employee/ senior advisor to Clinton on March 23, 2012. The position description form details that Hillary Clinton certifies that Abedin's "position is necessary to carry out Government functions for which I am responsible." The Obama State Department blacked out Clinton's signature on the form, allegedly to protect Clinton's privacy.

The documents also include details about Abedin's "expert" position, which evidently also required a continued top secret clearance:

As a Senior Advisor (Expert) to the Secretary, the incumbent will provide expert advice and guidance on varying issues related to the planning of logistical arrangements for foreign and domestic missions, and for the coordination of the foreign policy requirements, press, and protocol and security components necessary for a successful and sensitive foreign policy mission.

The documents raise questions about whether Abedin's new position complied with federal law that prevents special government positions created for work already performed by current employees. On June 4, 2012, Abedin states "NO, MY NEW POSITION IS IDENTICAL TO MY OLD POSITION." Abedin also expressed concern in March 2012 about the State Department's finally paying for her travel from New York. In a March 27, 2012, email about her "conversion to expert appointment," Abedin writes:

Have a few questions. One is time sensitive, I need to come down to state tomorrow. Can state start paying for my travel since ny is now my base? I've been paying personally for the last 6 months. Thanks.

MORE: www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/new-documents-huma-abedin