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McNulty: I Only Work Here
Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty is supposedly the #2 at the Department of Justice, acting essentially as the COO to Alberto Gonzales' CEO. He's supposed to be the career guy who gets his hands dirty, who's really running the department.
But listen to the way he has reportedly described his role in the U.S. Attorney firings. From The Las Vegas Sun:
A Justice Department official who had been uncomfortable about firing U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden now regrets he could not save the Nevadan's job when Justice purged eight prosecutors last year.In a closed-door interview with congressional investigators last week, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty said the firing weighs on him heavily, according to an aide familiar with the transcript of McNulty's comments. McNulty said he succeeded in sparing another U.S. attorney whose identity has not been revealed....
McNulty told investigators he did not see the list [of U.S. attorneys to be fired] until October, two months before the attorneys were fired....
McNulty asked during the interview last week to speak to the whole Bogden affair. McNulty told investigators he had hoped for some explanation for Bogden's inclusion on the list because he saw no apparent reason to fire him.
He said he was told that Justice wanted to bring in someone with more energy for Nevada, a fast-growing district.
He "was told that Justice wanted to bring in someone with more energy?" Well, we know that Alberto Gonzales didn't know anything about why Bogden was fired. And Kyle Sampson, the keeper of the list, claims not to know why Bogden made the list either. So who, in this equation, is "Justice?" Who was calling the shots? It certainly wasn't McNulty.
Comments (43)
profmarcus wrote on May 2, 2007 5:57 PM:oh, paul, spare me your pethetic attempts to corral a little sympathy... just like george tenet, the time to have spoken out was when you saw ethics being violated, not now, when your sorry ass is under the microscope... if you'd like to persuade me (or anyone else, for that matter) that you have an ounce of human decency in your soul, start telling us the whole goddam story... that might just help me to squ-e-e-e-e-eze a little tiny tear out of the far left corner of my eye... until then, save it for your book...
http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/
Giant Teapot wrote on May 2, 2007 5:59 PM:Paul!!! (Kiel, not McNulty).
Whatta day you've put in. Bravo!
obsessed wrote on May 2, 2007 6:31 PM:>Paul!!! (Kiel, not McNulty).
>Whatta day you've put in. Bravo!
Yes! What a year you've put in!
barrelhse wrote on May 2, 2007 6:49 PM:And a wonderful year to come! (but they're all good for that)
SteveW wrote on May 2, 2007 7:05 PM:Yes, that someone would be Karl Rove who wanted "more energy" to prosecute all those bogus voter fraud cases he could conjure up in Nevada and elsewhere.
Congress needs to stop this dance and just go for Rove's jugular. He's the true power center of this administration, along with President Cheney.
Fozzetti wrote on May 2, 2007 7:11 PM:With all the new people coming to Nevada, (many from California) the state is turning Blue. I am sure Rove wanted to deal with that proactively. Plus our Repug Governor is a Bum and a Crook. A US attorney might look into all those scandals.
Egreynol wrote on May 2, 2007 7:12 PM:From what I've read (especially the previously unknown memo released yesterday), it seems the answer to the article's question is that Sampson and Goodling were "Justice" but that they were taking their cues from the WH...set up a system where everyone has plausible deniability, everyone except for the diposable political lackeys.
From Nevada wrote on May 2, 2007 7:20 PM:It was most likely Jim Gibbons - our current governor, former congressman - who is under investigation for a myriad of things - i.e. corrupt, crook etc etc. The rumors are he was behind it to get them off his back.
j swift wrote on May 2, 2007 7:24 PM:LOL, wait, wait for it, the attorney firings were an act of God. Sure, sure somebody brought up the topic at some meeting in passing and someone, no one knows for sure, had Sampson collect some lists, with some names on them....the rest is all work of the Lord Jesus. Hallelujah Brothers and Sisters a miracle!
B W wrote on May 2, 2007 7:30 PM:I fear that Goodling is in a position to take all the blame and walk away with an immunity plea. If she covers for Rove and sticks to the story that she was given authority to make these decisions on which US Atyys to replace and that she kept the WH and Gonzales in the dark on all of the dirty details (that whole plausible deniability thing), barring any emails or something to prove otherwise, there's still not a clean Rove print on this thing.
I believe they have only authorized the subpoena & offer of immunity so far, not issued it yet. Is that right?
I'm thinking the Dems might want to seriously rethink that.
TheraP wrote on May 2, 2007 7:56 PM:Since all of this fits together, I mean the whole web of deceit and criminality seeded throughout the federal bureaucracy, how in the name of heaven could Ms goodling, at the tender age of 26, when this administration began, have come up with such an extensive plot - and placed it in kr's brain?
No, I think the elected representatives are smart enough not to let this young lady claim responsibility for so much!
Let's not lose our minds, along with our constitution!
Richard L. Adlof wrote on May 2, 2007 8:42 PM:McNulty for President . . . A Republican capable of displaying an iota of sadness in the muscle in the center of his chest (although there is no proof that he actually felt the emotion in question)!
Sigh. Tonight is a drinking night.
Rebel wrote on May 2, 2007 8:52 PM:An editorial worth reading. In part ...
"Today we hear a number of justifications from Washington, D.C., on the firing of U.S. attorneys. We hear that the president has the absolute authority to remove them, which is true. We also hear that no laws were broken, which likely is true. And we hear that no actual interference with ongoing prosecutions for political purposes was fostered by the removals, which also may well be true.
But what has never been seriously denied is that many of the prosecutors were removed because they followed the law, the facts, the proper processes and the needs of justice rather than the political desires of the White House or local politicians, in pursuing or failing to pursue cases in the past. In short, they had a history of following the standards of their professional calling when making prosecutorial decisions, and were not influenced by local and national political considerations -- and they were fired for it."
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/314047_firing03.html
shipwreckedcrew wrote on May 2, 2007 8:58 PM:When you couple the US Attorney terminations with the Gonzales memo that gave Goodling and Sampson authority to staff the lower levels of DOJ management among the litigating divisions, its pretty clear that the process was really put in place simply to begin to award loyalists with nice "resume enhancers" over the last 2 years of the Bush Administration.
Bogdon was an easy US Attorney to push out because he didn't have a strong policial power base on Nevada. Same for Chiara in Michigan, Lam in San Diego, Cummins in Arkansas.
Dumping them simply created openings for fast risers like the Rachels - Paulose and Brand - who could turn an appointment as US Attorney into a springboard to the judiciary or some other important position down the line.
Bogdon was a career prosecutor who came to be US Attorney simply because he was recommended by members of the legal community to John Ensign, who was newly elected in 2000 -- Bogdon never even sought the job, they came looking to talk to him. Ensign's Chief of Staff interviewed him, and then scheduled a call with Ensign. After talking with Ensign for 15 minutes, Ensign offered the the job.
He wasn't a big fund raiser, or a relative of a big fund raiser, or anyone else who might have a big political interest go to bat for him.
McNulty knew that Bogdon had spent 16 years working for DOJ -- by firing him now he doesn't even qaulify for his 20 year retirement -- and McNulty knew that Bogdon hadn't done anything wrong. McNulty had worked with Bogdon while they were both US Attorneys, so McNulty was a little queasy seeing him kicked to the curb.
But they were able to kick him to the curb because no one would come out and fight for him.
Simple as that.
Anonymous wrote on May 2, 2007 9:08 PM:This is my advice to McNulty:
Anonymous wrote on May 2, 2007 9:14 PM:If you don't want people to think you are a complete dirtbag just come completely clean. Don't give anymore half assed answers, no more trying to dodge and weave in your answers, just say exactly what you know and have heard. What was done to Bogden will always be a dickhead move. Instead of standing up to Queen Monica you caved as soon as she said he would be alright, he's a bachelor. You agreed to fuck a 50 year old guy over because he didn't have kids. Not that I think it would have mattered if you would have found a pair and stood up to Monica- she did have the White House behind her after all.
Code word: regret
No shit, it says "regret".
Posted by: shipwreckedcrew
Mrs Panstreppon wrote on May 2, 2007 10:38 PM:I didn't know that about his twenty year service. That sucks. Really shitty thing to do to the guy. But I would also suggest Bogden pissed off some powerful Republicans in the state of Nevada who might have made waves with Karl. I'm thinking of the three investigations mentioned in an article that Bogden mentions in his statement. Bogden is the most problematic for the White House to explain away with one of their bullshit cover stories.
Somebody ought to ask former USA-EDVA, Paul McNulty, about why Monica Goodling was prosecuting low-level criminal cases out of is office in the fall of 2004 during a presidential campaign.
If McNulty knew Goodling was working on the Bush or any other campaign then, he is in big trouble!
webdems wrote on May 2, 2007 11:41 PM:McNulty is never going to "come clean." He is deeply entwined with the power brokers running this administration. For god's sake, he was the face of the Florida recount dirty tricks. Book him. Pinch him.
Security code: fear
convict wrote on May 3, 2007 12:53 AM:..off topic (partially)
Check out this amateur video of police and rubber bullets attack on LA. Only in the Land of the Free??
http://one.revver.com/watch/254524
WTF
SqueakyRat wrote on May 3, 2007 12:58 AM:That picture of McNulty just shrieks LIAR. I wouldn't trust him to hit the ground with a turd.
John West wrote on May 3, 2007 7:43 AM:It sure looks to me like they're trying the old Iran/Contra routine of shoving responsibility down to the level of the folks who got immunity. I too hope our reps have this figured out.
As for a new Nevada USA, what state does Harry Reed represent again? I smell a hit man appointment.
bordersmuggler wrote on May 3, 2007 7:54 AM:convict
@May 3, 2007 12:53 AM
Impressive video. Identical to what has happened during the recent protests in Putin's Russia.
Is no one outraged?
Kathleen wrote on May 3, 2007 8:15 AM:I have always thought that it was Paul McNulty the "cakewalk in Iraq" zealots were after in the Gonzales scandal. When Bill Kristol is excited by Gonzales being targeted you know something is up!
McNulty is the main prosecutor in the upcoming Aipac/Rosen Espionage trial coming up on June 4,2007(that is if it is not delayed for the 5th time or dismissed just as the Israeli lobby would like). What a way to cast clouds over the upcoming trial by smearing McNulty.
At the Jewish Telegraphic Agency website an article undermining McNulty has stayed on the front page for over a month (very unusal).
The right wing warmongers and most are Israeli firsters would love to take McNulty out.
Watch the next three weeks before this earth shaking trial closely. Listen to the MSM have they even whispered about this trial?
Whistler wrote on May 3, 2007 8:57 AM:Y'all gotta factor in that there heavy Texas accent, when you're interpreting who said what - seein' as how even Gonzo, who claims a rags to riches story, has a bad Tex-Mex Twang goin' on.
I'm bettin' the actual quote was that they hoped to put someone in place with a "Moron Gene"; and not "More Energy," as was quoted above.
In this administration, that makes a lot of sense. Someone of that ilk would fit right in.
Jeb Bush, as the US Atty for Nevada? Maybe so?!
I marvel at all of the potential new candidates for employment running around, if a "Moron Gene" is what Bush's government is looking for, these days. Look at all of the out-of-work preacher types? those about to be out of jobs, thanks to future revelations in the HookerGate scandal. Don Imus isn't doing anything, of late. I can't see Pat Robertson's attempted religeous coup helping his future resume, any. The list goes on and ...
Weasel Watch! wrote on May 3, 2007 9:45 AM:This morning, Weasel Watch! puts the spotlight on the one and only criminal case tried by D. Kyle Sampson in the SDFL in 2004. How much time did Sampson spend on this case and how much time did he spend at the beach?
On 3/29/07, Kyle Sampson told Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) that he had tried only one criminal case in his career. Sampson stated that he was appointed "Special Attorney" [By who?]and tried a criminal case in the SDFL in 2004. The charges were felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.(Video at http://www.tpmmuckraker.com/archives/002912.php).
On 4/3/07, the Southern District of Florida blog reported that the case tried by Kyle Sampson was United States v. Heron Stepherson, presided over by Judge Hurley. The local AUSA was Lothrop Morristhe [sic]. AFPD was Bob Adler. (Link below)
Judge Hurley is Judge Daniel T. K Hurley. The correct spelling of the name of the local AUSA is Lothrop Morris. The USA-SDFL at the time was Marcos Daniel Jimenez.
The Southern District of Florida blog is run by David Oscar Markus, a Miami criminal lawyer who, according to his website, has successfully represented defendants faced with serious crimes at the trial level all the way to the Supreme Court.
Only the appeal in USA vs Heron Stepherson is available in Lexis-Nexis so WW! looked at case records in PACER. Kyle Sampson's name was on any of them.
From PACER:
Case no. 03-80095-CR-HURLEY/VITUNAC
PARTIES
Heron Stepherson (1)
DOB 11/26/80
Prisoner #72285-004
Added: 07/10/2003
TERMINATED: 06/28/2004
(Defendant)
represented by:
Robert E. Adler
Federal Public Defender's Office
400 Australian Avenue
Suite 1000
West Palm Beach, FL 33401-5040
561-833-6288
833-0368 (fax)
Assigned: 07/14/2003
TERMINATED: 04/15/2004
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED
Valentin Rodriguez, Jr.
Valentin Rodriguez P.A.
601 North Dixie Highway
Suite C
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-832-7510
561-514-0610 (fax)
defend1@bellsouth.net
Assigned: 04/15/2004
TERMINATED: 06/28/2004
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED
USA
Added: 07/10/2003
(Plaintiff
represented by
Lothrop Morris
United States Attorney's Office
500 South Australian Avenue
Suite 400
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-820-8711
820-8777 (fax)
lothrop.morris@usdoj.gov
Assigned: 07/10/2003
LEAD ATTORNEY
ATTORNEY TO BE NOTICED
According to 2/26/04 response to a defense motion filed by Lothrop Morris, Heron Stepherson was charged with possession of ammunition by a felon and possesion of cocaine base. In October 2003, the defendant agreed to a plea agreement in which one of the charges would be dropped.
When he signed the plea agreement, the defendant notified the government that he would request "the case be set for a change of plea hearing as soon as he was availabe." I don't know what a change of plea hearing is but when Stepherson got one on 2/2/04, he notified the government that he had changed his mind and wanted a trial.
The trial took place in the last week of March 2004 and the jury came in with a guilty verdict on both counts on 3/31/04.
How did Kyle Sampson become involved in a low-level criminal case in Palm Beach County in March 2004 when the weather is really, really nice?
AUSA Lothrop Morris did not know the Stepherson case would go to trial until the end of February 2004. By the end of March 2004, the Stpeherosn case was over.
If Kyle Sampson got himself appointed "Special Attorney" for the SDFL so he could have a free vacation at taxpayer expense, he had no business telling Senator Whitehouse that he "tried" a criminal case.
Who appointed Kyle Sampson "Special Attorney" for the SDFL? USA Marcos Daniel Jimenez?
I'd like to know more about this appointment business. I am beginning to think that Kyle Sampson looked up pending cases in Palm Beach, picked one that suited his vacation plans and then phoned USA Jimenez to get assigned to it.
I am curious as to whether Sampson brought the wife and kids to Palm Beach when he tried the Stepherson case.
The Stepherson case would not be the first time that Kyle Sampson inflated his somwhat sparse resume. Sampson is listed as Special Assistant United States Attorney on a July 2003 appeals case, USA v. Michael F. Kimble, SR., No. 03-4096, even though he had nothing to do with the case.
According to a 2/15/05 DOJ press release, Sampson "currently serves as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia." When did Sampson become a SAUSA and what were his responsibities?
If I were on the SJC, I'd look at Sampson's time sheets or calendar to see how much time he actually spent at the USA-EDVA. Then I'd ask him what he was doing there.
I wouldn't bother asking former USA-EDVA Paul McNulty what Sampson and Goodling were doing in his office in 2004 and 2005 because McNulty apparently doesn't know anything worthwhile knowing.
the truth will out wrote on May 3, 2007 9:20 PM:Weasel Watch! (aka Mrs P)
word is "soap" - as in liars should have their mouths washed out with soap.
This would be a good remedy for most of the bushies.
djcrow22 wrote on May 4, 2007 12:41 AM:Mrs. P,
Mrs P wrote on May 4, 2007 4:06 PM:Again, nice work. I'm still reeling from the job you did on Amy Ridenour, another conniving porker gorging on republican corruption. She really deserves some time in front of the Judiciary Committee.
Thanks, guys, for paying attention to my post. I thought it would get a little more attention than it did since Sampson is such a little creep.
Re Ridenour - After posting about her, I read something that reminded she was being investigated by the DOJ, whatever that means these days.
I can't tell you how offended I was by Ridenour's testimony in front of John McCain's Senate Indian Affairs Committee. I can't imagine being brazen enough to tell a big fat lie to Congress that anyone in the world with half a brain can check.
Ridenour's lies epitomize what is wrong in Washington DC. It seems as long as you are politically connected, anything goes.
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