Prosecutors
Interrogation Tape Prosecutor Seen as Tough, Nonpartisan
Posted Jan 3, 2008, 11:36 am CST
By Debra Cassens Weiss
The assistant U.S. attorney tapped to lead the criminal investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes is described as a nonpartisan career prosecutor who has pursued government officials and Mafia chiefs.
Friends of John Durham, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, were unable to recall any cases that he had lost during his 30 years as a tough prosecutor, the Washington Post reports.
He has a reputation for seeking tough sentences and refusing plea bargains, all while trying to stay out of the spotlight. He has served as the second in command to four U.S. attorneys, representing both political parties.
A retired FBI supervisor who worked with Durham on political corruption cases, Michael Clark, told the Hartford Courant the appointment signals the Justice Department wants an unbiased investigation. "He is ethical and has an incredible work ethic, and if anyone can get to the bottom on these facts, it is him," Clark said.
Several defense lawyers compared Durham to respected U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald of the Northern District of Illinois. "He's Fitzgerald with a sense of humor," said lawyer Hugh O'Keefe of Connecticut.
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Comments
Posted by AC - 10 months, 4 weeks, 14 hours, 48 minutes ago
BEWARE.
When someone is trumpeted by the press as “nonpartisan,“ you can bet that it’s a complete lie. Why else would they make a story out of it?
Reminds me of the Commies: there is no lie you can’t feed the masses with the right amount of propaganda…
Posted by George Sly - 10 months, 3 weeks, 5 days, 6 hours, 8 minutes ago
AC: Mr. Durham is a registered Republican and has been appointed by a Republican attorney general. That he is a career prosecutor who does not allow his political affiliation to interfere with his duty is what he is supposed to do. By the way this is a professional jounal and presumably we are all lawyers or at least law students. I sign my name to my comments just as I sign my name to my briefs. I do not hide behind initials. You are entitled to your opinions but you should back them with evidence and you should have the courage to sign your name.