U.S. Attorney in Minneapolis Under Investigation

Sources tell the Washington Post that the U.S. attorney in Minneapolis is under investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel.

The probe focuses on allegations that the prosecutor, Rachel Paulose, failed to keep classified information secure, made racist comments about an employee, and retaliated against those who disagreed with her, the newspaper says.

The complaint against Paulose was filed by her first assistant U.S. attorney, John Marti, who resigned along with two other management-level prosecutors in April. The New York Times reported at the time that the trio stepped down because they were unhappy with Paulose’s "ideologically driven and dictatorial managerial style.”

Critics have charged Paulose pushed Bush administration initiatives, including tough sentences in child pornography cases. Employees in her office recently gave her low marks for experience and management style in an internal audit, the Post says.

Law professor David Schultz of the University of Minnesota told the Post that a lot of the allegations are “just about her unprofessionalism. The real complaint may just be that she's a political hack who just isn't qualified to manage the office."

Paulose issued a statement that reads: "I am confident the truth will be brought to light. I am focused on doing the work of the people, which is what I have been appointed to do."