Qorvis Got Served, with Subpoenas [1]
Submitted by Diane Farsetta [2] on
The FBI [3] searched three offices of the PR firm Qorvis Communications [4] and delivered subpoenas to a fourth office. Officials confirmed the raids but refused further comment, saying there was an "ongoing investigation." Saudi Arabia [5] is a major Qorvis client [6]; the firm called the investigation a "compliance inquiry" under the Foreign Agents Registration Act. The Justice Department [7] found that "the Saudi Arabian Embassy paid Qorvis $14.6 million [8] for a six-month period," for such services as distributing material highlighting Saudi Arabia's "commitment in the war against terrorism [9] and to peace in the Middle East." Qorvis also did media outreach [10], lobbied congressional staff members and Bush administration [11] officials.