Michael Moore In Trouble For Cuba Trip

Treasury Investigation; Moore Took Sept. 11 Workers To Banned Island For Treatment

(AP)  Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore is under investigation by the U.S. Treasury Department for taking ailing Sept. 11 rescue workers to Cuba for a segment in his upcoming health-care documentary "Sicko," The Associated Press has learned.

The investigation provides another contentious lead-in for a provocative film by Moore, a fierce critic of President Bush. In the past, Moore's adversaries have fanned publicity that helped the filmmaker create a new brand of opinionated blockbuster documentary.

"Sicko" promises to take the health-care industry to task the way Moore confronted America's passion for guns in "Bowling for Columbine" and skewered Bush over his handling of Sept. 11 in "Fahrenheit 9/11."

The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control notified Moore in a letter dated May 2 that it was conducting a civil investigation for possible violations of the U.S. trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba. A copy of the letter was obtained Tuesday by the AP.

"This office has no record that a specific license was issued authorizing you to engage in travel-related transactions involving Cuba," Dale Thompson, OFAC chief of general investigations and field operations, wrote in the letter to Moore.

In February, Moore took about 10 ailing workers from the Ground Zero rescue effort in Manhattan for treatment in Cuba, said a person working with the filmmaker on the release of "Sicko." The person requested anonymity because Moore's attorneys had not yet determined how to respond.

Moore, who scolded Bush over the Iraq war during the 2003 Oscar telecast, received the letter Monday, the person said. "Sicko" premieres May 19 at the Cannes Film Festival and debuts in U.S. theaters June 29.

Moore declined to comment, said spokeswoman Lisa Cohen.

After receiving the letter, Moore arranged to place a copy of the film in a "safe house" outside the country to protect it from government interference, said the person working on the release of the film.

Treasury officials declined to answer questions about the letter. "We don't comment on enforcement actions," said department spokeswoman Molly Millerwise.

The letter noted that Moore applied Oct. 12, 2006, for permission to go to Cuba "but no determination had been made by OFAC." Moore sought permission to travel there under a provision for full-time journalists, the letter said.

According to the letter, Moore was given 20 business days to provide OFAC with such information as the date of travel and point of departure; the reason for the Cuba trip and his itinerary there; and the names and addresses of those who accompanied him, along with their reasons for going.

Potential penalties for violating the embargo were not indicated. In 2003, the New York Yankees paid the government $75,000 to settle a dispute that it conducted business in Cuba in violation of the embargo. No specifics were released about that case.

"Sicko" is Moore's follow-up to 2004's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a $100 million hit criticizing the Bush administration over Sept. 11. Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" won the 2002 Oscar for best documentary.

A dissection of the U.S. health-care system, "Sicko" was inspired by a segment on Moore's TV show "The Awful Truth," in which he staged a mock funeral outside a health-maintenance organization that had declined a pancreas transplant for a diabetic man. The HMO later relented.

At last September's Toronto International Film Festival, Moore previewed footage shot for "Sicko," presenting stories of personal health-care nightmares. One scene showed a woman who was denied payment for an ambulance ride after a head-on collision because it was not pre-approved.

Moore's opponents have accused him of distorting the facts, and his Cuba trip provoked criticism from conservatives including former Republican Sen. Fred Thompson, who assailed the filmmaker in a blog at National Review Online.

"I have no expectation that Moore is going to tell the truth about Cuba or health care," wrote Thompson, the subject of speculation about a possible presidential run. "I defend his right to do what he does, but Moore's talent for clever falsehoods has been too well documented."

The timing of the investigation is reminiscent of the firestorm that preceded the Cannes debut of "Fahrenheit 9/11," which won the festival's top prize in 2004. The Walt Disney Co. refused to let subsidiary Miramax release the film because of its political content, prompting Miramax bosses Harvey and Bob Weinstein to release "Fahrenheit 9/11" on their own.

The Weinsteins later left Miramax to form the Weinstein Co., which is releasing "Sicko." They declined to comment on the Treasury investigation, said company spokeswoman Sarah Levinson Rothman.

[beanerman4]

"The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control notified Moore in a letter dated May 2 that it was conducting a civil investigation for possible violations of the U.S. trade embargo restricting travel to Cuba."

I wonder if this is in the VETOED budget. Could we think of conducting a civil investigation into something more meaningful, more life threatening, like the war?

Michael Moore, an American Hero.

1.20.09
mark the day
sooner we pray

[klingon69]

Nothing in the article said that Moore did not have permission to go to Cuba.

Nothing in the article said he did.

In addition, as a journalist, Moore would have needed a general license; however, general licenses do NOT need to be applied for prior to a trip. Moore's mistake was taking the 10 9/11 rescue "victims" for treatment in Cuba.

So, did he or did he not break the law? Even if he was allowed to go as a "journalist" obviously he did something that wasn't allowed.

I'm not a Moore fan but I am a fan of the Constitution, especially the parts about "free speech" and "freedom of the press."

I too am not a fan of Moore, but am of the constitution. Especially to right to keep and bear arms, the right of free religion, free speech, and a free press.
I would be willing to go 2-to-1 that absolutely nothing comes of this. Moore isn't breaking the law any more than Bush and half of congress.

[xzavierbrown]

these things are way to easy for Moore..as a matter of fact. this is something to be expected from him. I DARE HIM do something about Islam..his opinions about this religion..about middle east..I bet you he would not.

[down-ndirty]

"And of course you have documentation to back this up??? Anyway, as you say there are provisions that allow citizens to go there legally, right? Obviously, Mr. Moore did NOT have permission, so it is still breaking the law." Posted by Klingon69 at 06:47 PM : May 10, 2007

Of course! Search "cuba visit" or go to
http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/cubaTravelQuestion.html

As a journalist, Moore has a right to go to Cuba under the general license. General licenses do not need to be applied for prior to a trip. His mistake was taking the ten 9/11 "rescue victims" with him for treatment. For that he needs a specific license. Read paragraphs 1, and 4, 5, & 6 of the article above.

So what's worse? Moore taking 9/11 rescue victims to Cuba for treatment, or Bush starting an illegal war and killing thousands of people?

My question is: Why couldn't the 9/11 rescuers get adequate treatment in this country? Probably the same reason wounded veterans don't get adequate treatment.

[down-ndirty]

"And of course you have documentation to back this up??? Anyway, as you say there are provisions that allow citizens to go there legally, right? Obviously, Mr. Moore did NOT have permission, so it is still breaking the law." Posted by Klingon69 at 06:47 PM : May 10, 2007

Of course! Search "cuba visit" or go to
http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/cubaTravelQuestion.html

As a journalist, Moore has a right to go to Cuba under the general license. General licenses do not need to be applied for prior to a trip. His mistake was taking the ten 9/11 "rescue victims" with him for treatment. For that he needs a specific license. Read paragraphs 1, and 4, 5, & 6 of the article above.

So what's worse? Moore taking 9/11 rescue victims to Cuba for treatment, or Bush starting an illegal war and killing thousands of people?

My question is: Why couldn't the 9/11 rescuers get adequate treatment in this country? Probably the same reason wounded veterans don't get adequate treatment.

[hsinco-2009]

Bu$h didn't have permission to warrantless wiretaps. And that is much worse than going to Cuba.

Conservatives are nuts if they think that prosecuting Moore for going to Cuba is going to change the subject of all the laws broken under Republicon rule.

A BJ for Bill vs. lying to get into Iraq.

Warrantless wiretaps vs. traveling to Cuba.

I could go on but I won't.

I don't think that Michael is intimidated easliy.

[down-ndirty]

"And of course you have documentation to back this up??? Anyway, as you say there are provisions that allow citizens to go there legally, right? Obviously, Mr. Moore did NOT have permission, so it is still breaking the law." Posted by Klingon69 at 06:47 PM : May 10, 2007
------------------

Of course. Search "cuba visit" or go to
http://www.globalexchange.org/tours/cubaTravelQuestion.html and follow the links to the Dept of Treasury site.

Nothing in the article said that Moore did not have permission to go to Cuba. Go back and read the 1st, 4th, and 5th paragraphs of the article, specifically the phrase "travel-related transactions involving Cuba."

In addition, as a journalist, Moore would have needed a general license; however, general licenses do NOT need to be applied for prior to a trip. Moore's mistake was taking the 10 9/11 rescue "victims" for treatment in Cuba. That obviously pisssed off someone.

I'm not a Moore fan but I am a fan of the Constitution, especially the parts about "free speech" and "freedom of the press."

I would be willing to go 2-to-1 that absolutely nothing comes of this. Moore isn't breaking the law any more than Bush and half of congress.

[sickovit]

Michael, Michael, Michael.....I mean Miguel. Keep on trucking. No matter where you go, you'll find problems. Just look in the mirror! Cuba is a communist country, a rootless branch of the bad, old world. Just check out freedom of the press in Havana. Oh, and those old American made automobiles.....Maybe you can arrange for one of our moth balled assembly plants to re-open and produce parts for the car owners of Cuba. You didn't sneak in any old Rambler parts, did you?

[toolmangler-2009]

Idiocy, "State of being for any idiot."


Take it from me RandDS, being 63 is overated. I had my heartattack at 64, thats been a few years ago. If your going to have a heart attack do it before 50 otherwise don't bother with it. You heal 'much' better and faster under 50. Flat-lining is a 'great incentive for stopping smoking.
I reccomend your way better, "just stop". I am just now getting where I can run with the 55 year-olds, couple of those girls are right cute. (grin)

[dirtydog55]

"Michael Moore has given the word "documentary" a bad name." Posted by kesac4650 at 05:53 PM : May 10, 2007

Maybe.

George W. Bush has definitely given "democracy" a bad name and lowered world-wide respect for Stars and Stripes and the United States.

Oh, sorry. Bush isn't the topic of this news article.

Thank God for people like Moore. Their "exposure of corruption" help keep us in a democracy. After all, aren't "freedom of speech" and "freedom of the press" guaranteed rights? Except that Bush has pretty much tried to put a lid on both.

Oh, *****. Sorry again. Not supposed to mention Bush...

[klingon69]

Over 100,000 U.S. citizens visited Cuba last year alone, and you didn't know even one of them!! LOL!! The U.S. gov't does regulate travel to Cuba, but there are provisions in the law that make it possible for U.S. citizens to go there legally. And obviously many do go.

Feel free, Klingon, to comment on topics that you know nothing about. But be careful; you will give stupidity a bad name.
Posted by down-ndirty at 01:27 PM : May 10, 2007

And of course you have documentation to back this up??? Anyway, as you say there are provisions that allow citizens to go there legally, right?
Obviously, Mr. Moore did NOT have permission, so it is still breaking the law.

[someone231]

how come people in prison, get health care, and a free higher education, while those who bay the law, have to file for bankrupsy after one illness or injury? The government, surely shows who they care more about, when it comes to having a good future! and Illigal immigrants get free health care too, just cuz they are not citizens, and its Bullsh*t law bating citizens, are nothing to them, while everyone else, gets help. What a Great country we live in! (being sarcastic)

[klingon69]

Klingon69 said "liberals" think they are above the law.

Posted by vmcneal2 at 11:54 AM : May 10, 2007

When did I say this???

All I said was that he broke the law and should receive just punishment. It matters not if the law is antiquated, or foolish. It is the law.

[randalds]

Unless you live by the motto of James Dean-"Live fast, die young & leave a good looking corpse." Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.
Posted by Questionnews at 05:47 PM : May 10, 2007

I guess I'm more like that. I don't believe in heaven or hell and I don't think we're coming back this way again, so I'd rather have a really enjoyable shorter life then a longer one denying myself the things I enjoy. A hundred years from now I'm still going to be just as dead as the man 2 graves down who watched his diet, never drank, never smoked (which I stopped 3 years ago because I didn't like it anymore) and jogged (ugh!) and it's never been my ambition to have the fittest looking corpse in the cemetery. I take after my father who only lived to be 63, but packed a whole LOT of living in those years. I'm 50 now and if I died tomorrow it'd be without fear or regret. Though I'd like to live long enough to party just a few more times. ;-)

[randalds]

Unless you live by the motto of James Dean-"Live fast, die young & leave a good looking corpse." Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.
Posted by Questionnews at 05:47 PM : May 10, 2007

I guess I'm more like that. I don't believe in heaven or hell and I don't think we're coming back this way again, so I'd rather have a really enjoyable shorter life then a longer one denying myself the things I enjoy. A hundred years from now I'm still going to be just as dead as the man 2 graves down who watched his diet, never drank, never smoked (which I stopped 3 years ago because I didn't like it anymore) and jogged (ugh!) and it's never been my ambition to have the fittest looking corpse in the cemetery. I take after my father who only lived to be 63, but packed a whole LOT of living in those years. I'm 50 now and if I died tomorrow it'd be without fear or regret. Though I'd like to live long enough to party just a few more times. ;-)

[kesac4650]

Michael Moore has given the word "documentary" a bad name.

[BlueInWI]

The problem is not Michael Moore - he is only pointing out the fact that Cuba (yes Cuba!!!) has a lower infant mortality rate than the United States. How shameful!!

Our government only cares about stem cells and fetuses. Once the baby is 'out of there' its an 'ownership society' baby. Those who own (or more often inherit) have great health care - everyone else is screwed...

[questionnews]

RandalDS

Would you not put Mike Moore in the same risk catagory as John Candy or Chris Farley. Its fine to endulge yourself once in a while, but some moderation is needed. If you like Mike would you not want him to continue producing his projects instead of dying young?

Unless you live by the motto of James Dean-"Live fast, die young & leave a good looking corpse." Oh well, two out of three ain't bad.

[jdubs63]

WHO CARES....GO SMOKE A CUBAN CIGAR

[j4401]

Why is "our" government restricting travel to Cuba? I think we should eliminate this ridiculous restriction. Shows how inept the American government really is.