A federal judge in Washington has told the parties that she intends to appoint former U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu as special master to examine whether government lawyers or officials misled the court during litigation over the proposed redevelopment of East Potomac Golf Links.
Judge Ana C. Reyes issued the notice on 7 November in DC Preservation League v. Department of the Interior. Liu would assist an inquiry into the conduct of lawyers at the Justice and Interior departments and statements made by other federal officials through 31 October. The parties may respond by 10 a.m. on 13 November.
The notice is not a misconduct finding, and the appointment is not yet final. Reyes said at an earlier hearing that the inquiry would consider whether representations about the scale and timing of the project, including the removal of hundreds of trees, were complete and accurate. Any detailed appointment order would still have to define Liu’s duties, authority and reporting arrangements.
The underlying suit was brought by a preservation group and two golfers. They argue that the planned closure and reconstruction of the public course violate federal environmental and historic-preservation requirements. A preliminary injunction issued in October bars further tree removal or damage without court approval and requires advance notice before other irreversible changes. That injunction is on appeal.
The immediate question is procedural: whether the parties object to Liu and, if appointed, how far her review will extend. The merits of the redevelopment challenge remain unresolved.
