The private meeting happened in Phoenix on the evening of June 27, 2016, a matter of hours before the Obama Department of Justice decision on whether then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had revealed classified information when using a private email account while secretary of state.
Former President Clinton was in Phoenix to appear at a private fundraising event at the home of former state Democratic Party chairman Jim Pederson. ABC15 was unable to find evidence that Clinton had played golf during his summer visit to Arizona. At the time, requests for comment from Pederson were declined.
In another email, DOJ staff members were asked by the FBI for guidance or comment after ABC15's Christopher Sign reported that those near the planes where the meeting occurred were instructed to not take any photos.
In the hours before Lynch's news conference in Phoenix, ABC15 contacted a network producer at ABC News in an attempt to confirm the original tip. An e-mail sent from that producer to two members of the Office of Public Affairs seeking confirmation appears on the first page of the document release. Three minutes later, a reply was sent that reads, "what's your number?"
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TIMELINE:
Monday, June 27th
Loretta Lynch & former President Bill Clinton meet at Sky Harbor International Airport
Tuesday, June 28th
10:14 a.m.: Department of Justice officials receive e-mail that ABC15 learned about the tarmac meeting.
12:05 p.m.: Lynch’s news conference scheduled to begin in Phoenix.
12:45 p.m.: Lynch’s talking points on how to handle questions from ABC15 regarding the secret meeting are finalized via e-mail.
12:55 p.m.: Lynch’s news conference begins.
1:06 p.m.: ABC15 reporter Katie Conner asks Lynch about the secret meeting.
1:09 p.m.: DOJ staffer emails colleagues that Lynch “stuck to the talking points” when answering ABC15’s question.
Wednesday, June 29th
ABC15's Christopher Sign first reports about tarmac meeting on ABC15 Mornings. Several national media outlets cite Sign's report.
Friday, July 1st
Lynch says she would accept the recommendation from career prosecutors at the FBI over Clinton's use of a private e-mail server.
Tuesday, July 5th
In an unprecedented news conference, FBI Director James Comey calls Clinton "extremely careless" but clears her of criminal wrongdoing.>>1056901
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