Frederick Black
From 1991 to 2002 Frederick Black was Acting U.S. Attorney in Guam. Black's appointment was intended to be temporary, but he developed a solid reputation that helped him keep the position. He was demoted in 2002 after launching an investigation into Jack Abramoff's dealings in Guam, though the Inspector General at the Department of Justice determined that Abramoff was not involved in Black's demotion.
Key Points:
The Guam Superior Court covertly hired Abramoff to stop congressional legislation that would put the Guam Supreme Court above the Superior Court.
The deal was made between California lawyer Howard Hills, Superior Court Judge Alberto Lamorean, and Abramoff at Abramoff's restaurant, "Signatures." The Superior Court paid Abramoff through Howard Hills to avoid suspicion.
Black launched an investigation into Abramoff's lobbying. The day after his grand jury issued subpoenas, he was demoted.
After being denied assistance from the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice, Black went ahead with an investigation. On November 18, 2002, Black subpoenaed the contract between Abramoff and the Superior Court despite the Department of Justice having refused to help him.
The next day he was demoted to Assistant U.S. Attorney and his 12-year position was taken by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leonardo Rapadas. His investigation of Abramoff was dropped.
In 2003, the Department of Justice also sent U.S. Attorney Russ Stoddard to Guam. Stoddard prevented Black from working on more corruption cases.
Black had also been investigating Guam's governor.
Black was investigating Governor Carl Gutierrez's office for diverting government funds for personal gain. Supporters of Gutierrez had also lobbied for Black's demotion.
Gutierrez hired Abramoff in order to stop Black's investigation (through a contract between Abramoff and the Guam International Airport Authority).
On January 26th, 2006, Senators Chuch Schumer and Ken Salazar called on Attorney General Gonzales to appoint a special counsel to investigate Abramoff's connections to the legislative, as well as executive, branch.
Salazar said the request was intended to "restore public confidence in the government." Schumer said that the "...serious allegations that Frederick Black...was removed as a result of his investigation of Mr. Abramoff" was further reason or a special counsel to be created.
The following week 34 more senators joined the request in a letter to Gonzales, which also referenced Frederick Black. (Federal News Service, January 26, 2006)
Research by Joshua Hudelson
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