Schwartz v. United States Department of Justice
United States District Court for the District of Columbia
435 F. Supp. 1203 (D.D.C. 1977)
Relevant factsFree
Schwartz (plaintiff) requested documents related to an investigation of Peter Schlam from Rodino (defendant), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, invoking the common-law right of access to public records after Rodino refused disclosure; Schwartz separately sued the Department of Justice under FOIA. Rodino moved to dismiss the common-law claim, arguing Congress was not bound by that common-law rule.
IssueFree
Whether the common-law right of access to public records applies to Congress.