Acquitted Prosecutor Questions Political Influence

The dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys is raising questions about whether federal prosecutors were pressured to investigate Democrats.

One of the critics interviewed by the New York Times is Carl J. Marlinga, a former county prosecutor and Democratic congressional candidate in Michigan, who was acquitted of bribery charges.

“Was there some extra pressure on the United States attorney’s office, whether articulated or tacitly understood, by their superiors in Washington who would not look favorably upon the office if this case was not pursued?” he told the newspaper. “I have to wonder.”

U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has denied any political influences on prosecution decisions.