Max Baucus

Baucus's Girlfriend Withdrew US Atty. Nomination Only After Paper's Inquiries

Justin Elliott | December 11, 2009, 10:00AM

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)

Sen. Max Baucus' girlfriend withdrew from consideration to be Montana's U.S. attorney in March only after a newspaper told Baucus' office it was about to publish a story on the senator's nomination of Melodee Hanes. The revelation appears to belie Baucus' original explanation -- that Hanes withdrew "after much reflection ... because [the two] wanted to live together in Washington, D.C."

That Baucus, a Montana Democrat, recommended Hanes to the White House to be U.S. Attorney was revealed last week by Main Justice. A former Baucus staffer, Hanes explained her withdrawal in March by saying she had "been presented with other opportunities that I felt I could not bypass."

Read more »