The ABSCAM files, bulk 1980-1982, document Inouye’s involvement with events relating to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s undercover operation to convict politicians of accepting bribes in exchange for political favors, known as ABSCAM. The files cover two major events related to ABSCAM: the proposed expulsion of Senator Harrison Williams, Jr. from the Senate for being convicted through the ABSCAM operation (Senator Williams was the only Senator to have been convicted); and the formation of the Select Committee to Study Law Enforcement Undercover Activities of Components of the Department of Justice, of which Inouye was a member.

The proposed expulsion of Senator Williams came after he was convicted of accepting bribes in 1980. His expulsion proceedings were going to commence in late 1981, but with the support of the Senate majority and minority leaders, Inouye chose to actively participate in the expulsion proceedings, essentially representing Senator Williams. Inouye needed time to prepare, so the proceedings were postponed into the following year.

The records from Williams’ expulsion are essentially Inouye’s working files, as he prepared for the proceedings. These records include memoranda, records from the work of the Ethics Committee, research materials, newspaper clippings, resolutions, briefs, Williams’ statement concerning ABSCAM, third-party analyses of ABSCAM, and other materials. Also included are the working files of Robbie Alm, lead staff member to Inouye on the ABSCAM matter; and briefing books on a variety of subjects.

Williams ultimately resigned before the Senate could vote on expulsion. Subsequently the Senate formed the Select Committee mentioned above, with the purpose of conducting “an investigation of the activities of components of the Department of Justice in connection with their law enforcement undercover operations and to recommend such legislation as the committee deems necessary or desirable.” Senator Inouye was appointed to this committee, and the remainder of the ABSCAM records cover his involvement with it.

These records include resolutions creating the committee, Congressional Record excerpts, meeting minutes and other materials, and hearing schedules and synopses; administrative files, including memorandums and reports; background materials, including materials on entrapment and government misconduct, materials on FBI undercover operations, background files on individuals involved with ABSCAM, briefs, decisions from the convictions of Williams and multiple members of the House of Representatives, General Accounting Office reports, and other records. Also included are briefing books that include materials on government agency abuses, and materials relating to the public hearings of the Committee.

Note that included with the ABSCAM records were a variety of publications. Some had pages marked with paperclips, or had text that was highlighted, and these were kept with the collection for their potential research value (original paperclips have been replaced with stainless steel paperclips). The remaining publications were duplicates of materials that can be found in the University of Hawaii’s Hamilton Library, and as a result were discarded. Following is a list of publications that were kept with the collection, and below is a list of those that were discarded:

Box 13

Excerpts from the Transcript of Trial Proceedings in the Case of the United States of America v. John W. Jenrette, Jr. in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, crim. No. 80-289 (parts 1-3 of 5 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.

FBI Oversight: Hearings before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-Sixth Congress, First and Second Session, on FBI Oversight, March 8, 15, 21 and 27, 1979 and March 4, 10, and 17, 1980 (serial no. 46). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.

FBI Undercover Guidelines: Oversight Hearings before the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Ninety-Seventh Congress, First Session, on FBI Undercover Guidelines, February 19, 25 and 26, 1981 (serial no. 18). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Report of the Select Committee on Ethics, United States Senate, to accompany S. Res. 204. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Response of Senator Williams to Report of the Select Committee on Ethics on S. Res. 204, September 18, 1981. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Transcript of Due Process Hearing (June 22, 23, 24 and 25, 1981) in the Case of the United States of America v. Harrison A. Williams, Jr., et al. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, docket no. 80 CR-00575. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Box 14

Transcript of Due Process Hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Submission on behalf of Representative Raymond F. Lederer (parts 1, 3 and 4 of 4 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Trial Proceedings (Trial Transcript Excerpts and Tape Recording Transcripts) in the Case of the United States of America v. Harrison A. Williams, Jr., et al. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, crim. no. 80 CR-00575 (parts 1 and 6 of 6 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Publications that are available in the library, and which have been discarded, follow:

Excerpts from the Transcript of Trial Proceedings in the Case of the United States of America v. John W. Jenrette, Jr. in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, crim. no. 80-289 (parts 4-5 of 5 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.

Excerpts from the Transcript of Trial Proceedings in the Case of the United States of America v. Raymond F. Lederer in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, 80-CR 253. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, undated [1981?].

In the Matter of Representative John W. Jenrette, Jr.: Report together with Supplemental Views of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, House of Representatives (plus appendix). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.

In the matter of Representative Raymond F. Lederer: Report together with Dissenting Views of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, House of Representatives. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

In the Matter of Representative Michael J. Myers: Report of Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (to accompany H. Res. 794), together with Dissenting Views. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Government Brief in Opposition to Senator Williams’ Motion to Dismiss and for a New Trial, October 2, 1981. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Open Session Hearings before the Select Committee on Ethics of the United States Senate, Ninety-Seventh Congress, First Session: Volume 1, July 14, 15 and 28, 1981. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Open Session Hearings before the Select Committee on Ethics of the United States Senate, Ninety-Seventh Congress, First Session: Volume 2: Exhibits. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Opinion of Judge George C. Pratt Denying Senator Williams’ Motions to Dismiss His Indictment, for Judgment of Acquittal, and for a New Trial. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Investigation of Senator Harrison A. Williams, Jr.: Senator Williams’ Reply Briefs to the Government Brief in Opposition to Senator Williams’ Motions to Dismiss and for a New Trial, October 19, 1981. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Transcript of Due Process Hearing in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Submission on behalf of Representative Raymond F. Lederer (part 2 of 4 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Trial Proceedings (Trial Transcript Excerpts and Tape Recording Transcripts) in the Case of the United States of America v. Harrison A. Williams, Jr., et al. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, crim. no. 80 CR-00575 (parts 2-5 of 6 only). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981.

Finally, one publication from the papers is readily available online and from other sources, and has also been discarded:

FBI Domestic Intelligence Operations – Their Purpose and Scope: Issues that Need to be Resolved (report to the House Committee on the Judiciary by the Comptroller General of the United States). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 1976.