Judge Wants Huang Served With Subpoena

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Oct. 25) -- A federal judge today ordered the Democratic National Committee to require missing fund-raiser John Huang to report for work on Monday so he can be served with a subpoena in a civil suit.

Judge Royce C. Lamberth, who was clearly upset at Huang's disappearance, said Huang "can make it easier or he can make it harder. He has decided to make it harder."

Huang's lawyer, John C. Keeney Jr., told the court that Huang will not be available to testify until Nov. 6, the day after the election. Keeney said Huang was standing on his legal rights, but that didn't persuade the judge. "How can the court sit here and have you dictate to me?" Lamberth demanded.

Keeney would not say where Huang is, only that he was out of town and planned to return to Washington, D.C., next week.

Huang has been relieved of his fund-raising duties, but remains on the DNC staff. He is at the center of a controversy over contributions the Democrats have received from members of an Indonesian banking family, as well as from people who attended a fund-raiser at a Buddhist temple near Los Angeles attended by Vice President Al Gore.

The lawsuit, brought by the conservative group Judicial Watch, alleges that Commerce Department trade missions were used to raise money for the Democrats. Huang used to work at the Commerce Department before joining the DNC.

Judge Wants Huang Served With Subpoena

Related Stories: