Judge Rules Wiretap on Islamic Charity Was Illegal

A federal judge ruled Wednesday that the government acted illegally in tapping phone conservations between a U.S. Muslim charity and two lawyers as part of the George W. Bush administration’s Terrorist Surveillance Program, according to the Associated Press.

Judge Vaughn R. Walker, of the U.S. District Court in San Francisco, said the al-Haramain Islamic Foundation and its two lawyers are entitled to damages. The National Security Agency conducted warrantless wiretaps on the charity’s Ashland, Ore., branch after the Treasury Department listed it as a supporter of terrorism.

The foundation filed suit in 2006, claiming the surveillance was illegal. The Obama administrations had sought to quash the case, asserting a “state-secrets privilege.” A Justice Department spokeswoman said the question of appeal is under review.

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