Evangelist Jerry Falwell has filed a Federal lawsuit against the White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation alleging the FBI illegally maintained files on him and others in violation of the Privacy Act.

Falwell is represented by the public interest law firm Judicial Watch.

Falwell sued following revelations by Judicial Watch that the Administration, since its earliest days in office, has maintained a secret database called VAAPCON (Violence Against Abortion Providers Conspiracy), on pro-life and religious leaders. The database allegedly contains biographical and political data on persons and groups having no links to violence against abortion clinics or providers.

According to "Insight" magazine, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, U.S. Postal Inspectors and U.S.Mashals Service engaged in "intrusive investigative activity" in pursuit of domestic terrorism.

The subjects of the surveillance, the magazine reports, include the late John Cardinal O’Connor, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Rifle Association, Women’s Coalition for Life, Feminists for Life, Americans United for Life, American Life League, Christian Coalition and Concerned Women of America.

While ostensibly concerned with violence against abortion providers, information obtained by Judicial Watch suggests a political purpose since its targets are groups engaged in peaceful and legal activities, some of them unrelated to abortion.

For example, it’s noted that Concerned Women for America opposed the Administration’s health care plan, the economic stimulus package, the confirmation of Dr. Joycelyn Elders as Surgeon General, and allowing homosexuals in the military.

It observes that the Christian Coalition engages "almost exclusively in lobbying and grassroots organizing."

Feminists for Life is descibed as a coalition "that counsels women in crisis pregnancies and lobbies for anti-abortion legislation." It is also noted that this group has formed the "Susan B. Anthony List designed to raise funds for pro-liffe candidates, much as Emily’s List does for pro-abortion candidates."

Judicial Watch reports that a source within the FBI said the database was maintained by orders of the upper levels of the Justice Dept. over the objections of some in the FBI. Additionally, according to Judicial Watch, the White House has refused, contrary to the Privacy Act, to turn over any files it has on Dr. Falwell.

"This Administration has a sordid history of misusing government files against its perceived political opponents," said Judicial Watch chairman and general counsel Larry Klayman.

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