U.S. Treasury Dept. Investigates Michael Moore
Filed under: Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Celebrities and Controversy, The Weinstein Co., Politics, Michael Moore
The new film from Michael Moore won't be here for another month and a half, but the controversies surrounding it are heating up quick. The documentary (say what you want, but it fits the definition of non-fiction film), which is titled Sicko, exposes the problems with the U.S. health care industry. And, of course, that industry is already beginning to slam the film. But so far the biggest attack on Moore, related to Sicko, is coming from the U.S. government. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's seen Fahrenheit 9/11, though the action has absolutely no connection with Moore's speaking out against the government. The Treasury Department is simply investigating a trip Moore took to Cuba back in March, because he allegedly disobeyed our trade embargo with the country (see the whole letter here).
If you remember, we told you about Moore's trip to Cuba last month. Apparently he brought a number of ailing Ground Zero workers there in order to show the advantages of the Cuban health care system as compared to the American health care industry. According to the Treasury Department, if those workers received health care from Cuba, then the treatment may be considered "travel-related transactions involving Cuba", which is against the law. It seems that Moore's okay to go to Cuba was on a journalistic basis, and certainly the trip was journalistic in nature, but he has to realize that if he purposefully broke the embargo while there, that he'll be penalized.
An anonymous source, who supposedly worked on Sicko, has confirmed that about 10 persons received treatment, but so far there hasn't been a statement directly from Moore. Reportedly, though, he has stored a copy of his new film in a safe place outside the U.S. in order to protect it from government interference. Sicko producer Meghan O'Hara has written a response to the investigation, which she accuses of being politically motivated and an abuse of the legal process. She also stated that the current administration will not keep the American public from seeing the film. Unfortunately such a response comes off as just another cheap attack on Bush rather than an intelligent defense or explanation. So much for Harvey Weinstein's hopes for Sicko to unite the Republicans and Democrats.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-10-2007 @ 3:42PM
pete said...
THE MAN IS TRYING TO KEEP HIM DOWN MAN!!!! RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!111ONEOEN
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5-11-2007 @ 8:30AM
frankts1 said...
Actually, if you read the letter, the Office of Foreign Assets Controls is seekeing proof that Moore even qualifies as a journalist under the definition found in their regulations. And, from their reading, he most likely does not. Also, all travel related transactions, including getting to and from the country, the hotel, the cigars and mojitos, are prohibited transactions with Cuba and can be penalized as seperate violations (each carrying a maximum of $100,000 per violation under the Trading With the Enemy Act, or 10 years in prison). Since this was a "willful violation" (he knew it was against the law and did it anyway), Treasury can impose some pretty hefty fines if they stack them.
Finally, since Moore actually requested approval for this trip from OFAC last year, he demonstrated that he understood the regulations enough to know better than to pull this stunt without authorization. Personally, I hope they throw the book at him.
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5-11-2007 @ 3:32PM
Kevin said...
Hmm, if he requested approval to go did they grant it? If not, how did they phrase their denial, and if they did, how would that affect their case? Thats an interesting tid bit o' info
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5-14-2007 @ 10:22AM
frankts1 said...
His request was never responded to, apparently. Unfortunately, this Office of the US Treasury Department does not issue licenses very quickly. It usually takes around 6 months, and most requests to go to Cuba are rejected anyway.
However, as someone who knows, I can tell you that he committed the cardinal sin for US Regulations. He asked for permission, then did whatever he wanted to do. If you put yourself on their radar screen, they're going to go after you if act contrary to the regulations or your license.
To top it off, though, he's basically flaunting his trip to Cuba via his movie, and the Government can't let that stand. They have to respond SOMEhow, even if it's just a token fine. Personally, I think he should get at LEAST 45 days in jail (ala Paris).
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6-04-2007 @ 12:15PM
GBussy said...
Stop the madness people! America has never been perfect ,I say that to say to you sticklers of law, wise-up! Who cares if someone brake such a law when it's for the betterment of man," sorry-but i thought helping people in such a way while not causing physical harm to another is a positive thing." Let's forget about the miner infractions commented to expose our current boldest health care system ,again trying to help the people! yes i support truth over laws if that's what necessary to reveal humanitarian justice.True Americans support Michael Moore views as well as his movie's,this is simply a case of the truth hurt!!!
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6-14-2007 @ 3:58AM
jimrod said...
Isn't it funny how it's okay to due business with Communist China, but I guess that's okay since we owe them cash and buy the cheap products. The question should be why are we getting charged so much as these corps. are making billions of dollars. So he broke that worthless law to bring us the truth.
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10-20-2007 @ 7:33PM
treabamea said...
Yeah, well, China has weapons of mass destruction, so they have to approve commerce with it. Come to think about it... isn't this the reason they invaded Iraq?
Yes, that's the one. But somehow, invading China doesn't seem right, because China HAS them, as for Iraq, never had them in the first place. But it had cheap oil.
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