A reminder today that, despite all the make-nice talk in Washington about the Mukasey nomination, the problems at DOJ are not going to disappear with a new attorney general. Alberto Gonzales cronies–or Bush cronies–are spread throughout the Department now, even though many top DOJ officials have resigned in the wake of the USAs purge scandal. One of those cronies, Minnesota U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose, is reportedly under investigation by the Office of Special Counsel for the way she has managed the government employees in her office.
Paulose, for those not completely immersed in the ins and outs of the purge scandal, was one of the coterie of young lawyers who saw rapid advancement within Main Justice. She was then dispatched out into the field where she replaced a respected U.S. attorney, who, while having resigned of his own accord, nonetheless appeared on the some of the lists of targeted prosecutors. Paulose’s office has been in upheaval since shortly after her arrival, when four of the top administrators resigned en masse.* The Office of Special Counsel investigation appears to arise from that incident. At one point, Main Justice sent an official out to Minnesota to try to mediate the dispute, to no apparent avail.
Late Update: Atrios reminds me of Paulose’s coronation as U.S. attorney. Take a look.
*The four administrators resigned their administrative positions.
