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Iglesias Riffs on Predictions for Upcoming OIG Report

Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias has been giving lots of talks as he promotes his new book, In Justice, but this interview with Harper's has been one of the best so far.

Iglesias treads a lot of old ground, but he also gives an interesting look ahead. As we wait for the OIG's report on the U.S. attorney firing scandal to drop, this is a good reminder of what we have to look forward to (Iglesias' response is in italics):

The Justice Department's Inspector General (OIG) and the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) have been investigating the firing of eight U.S. attorneys, including yourself, and their report is now due. The OPR has been heavily criticized lately for its failure to follow through on major investigations, and it has been manipulated--sometimes overtly--by political appointees. OIG has maintained its independence and integrity, however. Have you been interviewed in connection with this probe? Did it strike you as thorough and professional? Do you expect a report to be issued shortly, and if so, what are the major conclusions you would anticipate?

Yes, I was interviewed by attorneys from both OIG and OPR. They initially interviewed me in Albuquerque in June, 2007. They called me a couple more times with follow-up questions. I viewed them as professional and thorough. I expect the report to be filed any day now. I expect them to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to show that former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty committed perjury in their statements before Congressional committees and investigators. They may find that former McNulty chief of staff Mike Elston intimidated witnesses based on his calls to former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins of Arkansas. I was aware that Elston had told Cummins that "the gloves would come off" if we kept speaking out about our forced resignations. I found out after In Justice went to print that Elston also told Cummins we would be "thrown under the bus" for our speaking out. It is appalling that a former career federal prosecutor like Elston would so flagrantly violate the law against witness intimidation. There may be enough evidence to warrant a formal investigation of conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges against Gonzales, McNulty and Elston.


Comments (6)

I expect the report to be filed any day now. I expect them to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to show that former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and former Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty committed perjury... There may be enough evidence to warrant a formal investigation of conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges against Gonzales, McNulty and Elston.

So, will anything come of this? Will the report be issued late on a Friday and ignored by everybody?

It's hard for me to understand why an investigation into SOMETHING hasn't started already.

-- ARG

For *my* sanity anyway, I certainly hope it's not posted on a Friday afternoon. To the OIG's credit, they released the report on the Honors Program politicized hirings on a Tuesday-- but who knows.

As for what's going to come of this-- it'll take a while, but I think they'll get theirs in the end. Gotta think so, right?

Hey, Kate.

Yes, for your sake, I hope it comes out at the beginning of the week. (You rake muck all week; who wants to do it on the weekend, too, right?)

Just want to add that you and Andrew have been doing an excellent job covering all of this stuff lately. The ElectionCentral items may generate more comments, but I'm sure I'm like a lot of others who wouldn't want to miss a single Muckraker post. This is a valuable resource. It gives me hope that nobody's going to get away with pulling the wool over our eyes. Thanks!

-- ARG

"There may be enough evidence to warrant a formal investigation of conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges against Gonzales, McNulty and Elston."

Sure, may be enough to warrant an invertigation, but in the US universe, politics trump the rules of evidence.

Good luck!!!

ITMF's A.

Drag them into congress, drag them into court, and let their legal bills pile up until thay cry uncle for their kids college educations; then we will know the truth. I really despise these people and I hope the American people get every pound of flesh we deserve.

avatar

Mister Iglesias mentioned something on hardball, with Chris matthews.
ahh,
it was on hardball, on this date,
April 24, 2007.
Mr Iglesias mentioned the "Hatch Act", which prevents all public employees, government employees, from doing any political work, or being told to do political work. Mr. Karl Rove, may have violated the Hatch Act, by putting under pressure on the Justice Department to fire Mr Iglesias, and the other attorneys.
Something for you to check out for yourselves.
Check out hardball, with Chris matthews, on this story, and you will find this story here.

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