Ousted Hispanic Prosecutor Was “Diverse Up-and-Comer”

In April, 2004, times were different. U.S. Attorney for New Mexico David Iglesias hadn’t yet drawn the ire of prominent conservatives by failing to indict a Democratic state senator shortly before the election or declining to pursue their pet voter fraud cases.

Then, he was in no danger of being fired. Rather, he was on the short list for being promoted to be the Director of the Executive Office of the United States Attorney. At least, that’s according to an email from Kyle Sampson that listed U.S. attorneys who “might be enticed to leave their districts and come to Washington to run EOUSA.”

Iglesias, who is Hispanic, appears on the list as a “diverse up-and-comer; solid.”

Now, Iglesias, of course, didn’t get the job. Michael Battle, formerly the U.S. Attorney for Buffalo (and, as an African-American, also “diverse”) did. And irony of ironies, it was Battle who ended up making the call to fire Iglesias this past December. Battle tendered his resignation in January; his last day was Friday.

Ed. Note: Thanks to TPM Reader Matt for flagging this in the comments.