March 05, 2007

Domenici May Have Spurred Prosecutor's Firing

The Justice Department today said that New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici (R) phoned U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales or a deputy four times to complain about a federal prosecutor who was eventually fired, AP reports. Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias contends that two lawmakers from his state pressured him to speed up a criminal investigation involving Democrats ahead of November's midterm elections.

Domenici admitted on Sunday that he inquired about the corruption probe but denied putting the squeeze on the former prosecutor. Iglesias is one of eight federal prosecutors who were abruptly fired last December, prompting an investigation by congressional Democrats who smelled a partisan clean-up ordered by the White House.

So far, the other members of the New Mexico delegation are keeping their mouths shut. Rep. Heather Wilson, who has been floated as the other GOP lawmaker who allegedly pressured Iglesias, has not yet commented.

The Albuquerque Tribune notes that all the fired prosecutors were Republicans. Moreover, the calls from Domenici complaining about Iglesias began more than a year before he was fired. While that indicates Domenici might be telling the truth when he says he had long-held concerns about the slow pace of investigations in Iglesias' office, it doesn't explain why the GOP senator initially denied making calls to Iglesias.

Iglesias is expected to name names during his testimony before lawmakers tomorrow, when he testifies along with three other fired prosecutors. Also today, Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law Chairwoman Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., issued two more subpoeanas to prosecutors.

Posted at 3:06 PM
Posted to: Attorney Scandal
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