Defense Lawyers Citing DOJ Firings

The fallout over the firings of at least eight U.S. attorneys is having an impact in federal prosecutions. Defense lawyers are beginning to question prosecutors’ motives following allegations that some U.S. attorneys were fired due to political considerations, the Los Angeles Times reports. Lawyers cited the controversy in prosecutions involving…

Jun 18, 2007 6:13 PM CDT

New Law Puts Pressure on DOJ Hiring

The Justice Department will have to scramble to fill the jobs of almost two dozen U.S. attorneys and five senior DOJ officials. The pressure is on, due to a law signed last week by President Bush overturning the attorney general’s authority to appoint interim U.S. attorneys for indefinite periods, the…

Jun 18, 2007 4:06 PM CDT

Subpoena Response Poses Dilemma

President Bush faces difficult choices in responding to subpoenas for two former White House officials. Congressional committees issued subpoenas on Wednesday to Harriet Miers, who was White House counsel, and Sara Taylor, who served as public affairs director. The subpoenas seek testimony related to the firings of at least eight…

Jun 17, 2007 11:32 PM CDT

Duke Lacrosse Prosecutor Disbarred

The Durham, N.C., prosecutor who came under intense fire for his rape prosecution of three former Duke University lacrosse players was disbarred today after a state ethics panel found he violated numerous professional conduct rules. Mike Nifong tearfully testified during disciplinary proceedings on Friday that he intended to resign no…

Jun 17, 2007 12:19 AM CDT

Another Justice Department Aide Resigns

Another Justice Department aide with a link to the controversial firings of nine U.S. attorneys as part of an alleged political purge has resigned. Mike Elston, chief of staff for departing Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, is leaving in a week to join a Washington, D.C., law firm. He is…

Jun 16, 2007 3:27 AM CDT

Duke Lacrosse Rape Case DA to Resign

Regardless of what happens at his ongoing trial for allegedly violating attorney ethics rules, the Durham, N.C., district attorney who prosecuted the rape case against three former Duke University lacrosse team members says he is going to resign from office. “It is my intention,” testified a teary-eyed Mike Nifong today,…

Jun 15, 2007 9:54 PM CDT

SG Steps onto Political Stage

U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement, a self-described law geek, has been thrust into the political spotlight in the controversy over the firings of at least eight U.S. attorneys. As the highest ranking Justice Department official who was not involved in the hirings, Clement is charged with overseeing the DOJ’s own…

Jun 15, 2007 5:22 PM CDT

Vote on Spying Subpoenas Delayed

A senator has delayed a Judiciary Committee vote on whether to subpoena Justice Department documents related to domestic eavesdropping. Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., delayed the vote on subpoenas related to the National Security Agency program for a week, the New York Times reports.

Jun 15, 2007 3:35 PM CDT

AG Influence on Testimony Probed

The leaders of an internal Justice Department investigation confirmed today that they are probing whether the attorney general tried to influence congressional testimony by former aide Monica Goodling. The disclosure was made in a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Washington Post reports. Inspector General Glenn Fine and H.…

Jun 14, 2007 8:28 PM CDT

Religious Freedom New DOJ Focus

The Justice Department has shifted its civil rights focus, emphasizing religious-freedom cases rather than racial discrimination. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has cited the department’s advocacy on behalf of religious rights as one of his top accomplishments, the New York Times reports. To press its new mission, the department has transferred…

Jun 14, 2007 1:22 PM CDT

Ex-White House Counsel Miers Subpoenaed

The House Judiciary Committee will subpoena former White House counsel Harriet Miers to testify about her role in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys. In the Senate, the Judiciary Committee will subpoena former political director Sara Taylor to testify. Both committees are also seeking relevant documents. The Washington Post learned…

Jun 13, 2007 5:15 PM CDT

E-Mail Debates Firing Response

E-mails released yesterday show that aides to President Bush helped determine the response to a controversy over the firings of nine U.S. attorneys. Then-White House counsel Harriet Miers and aides to political adviser Karl Rove debated the response in “spirited and sometimes angry e-mail exchanges,” the Washington Post reports. “These…

Jun 13, 2007 4:46 PM CDT

Durham DA Defends Rape Prosecution

Durham County, N.C., District Attorney Michael Nifong asserted yesterday he was only doing his duty in pursuing allegations against three Duke lacrosse players. Nifong’s attorney said his client had reasons to believe a crime was committed, the Washington Post reports. “It is not unethical to pursue what some may see…

Jun 13, 2007 4:37 PM CDT

Ethics Case Against Durham DA Begins

A North Carolina bar prosecutor said in opening arguments today that Durham District Attorney Michael Nifong intentionally concealed evidence in his prosecution of three Duke lacrosse players.

Nifong is accused of withholding DNA tests showing genetic material on a woman who said she had been raped did not match that of the defendants. He is also accused of lying to the media, knowing it could prejudice the investigation, and making false statements to judges about the case, the Washington Times reports.

Charges against the men have been dismissed. Nifong could be disbarred if he loses the ethics case. His attorney contends he committed no intentional ethics violations.

Jun 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT

Republicans Block Senate Vote on AG

After much media hoopla, a planned Senate vote of no confidence in U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was blocked by Republicans today. Democrats were unable to muster the 60 votes needed to move past a procedural hurdle, reports Reuters. The non-binding vote would have had no legal force, even if…

Jun 12, 2007 12:46 AM CDT