Ex-Democratic fund-raiser Chung suing Justice Department

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Former Democratic fund-raiser Johnny Chung announced Tuesday he has filed suit against the Justice Department, charging that leaks by officials have put his life at risk.

Chung, one of the main figures in the campaign finance scandal -- and best known for visiting the Clinton White House nearly 50 times after donating $366,000 to the Democratic Party -- received probation in 1998 in exchange for an agreement to cooperate with prosecutors.

In the lawsuit, however, Chung claims he and his family were put in grave danger after prosecutors leaked details of the evidence he provided. He said that he and his family were eventually moved into protective custody in California, but that, too, was leaked by a Justice Department official.

Chung, who is represented by the conservative legal group Judicial Watch, alleges in the lawsuit that the leaks put his family at "a substantial risk of grave bodily harm, if not death, at the hands of thirds parties attempting to silence him, including agents for the PC" (Peoples Republic of China)" and that his he and his family suffered "substantial emotional distress, and mental anguish, including continuous fear for his life and for the lives of his family members."

While Chung lives in California, the lawsuit was filed in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia. He is seeking unspecified damages.

For more US news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

See related sites about US

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.