The Daily Muck

Former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias, fired by the Bush administration under suspect circumstances, speaks out in an interview with this Sunday’s edition of the New York Times Magazine. Iglesias, now calling himself a “disillusioned Republican,” ruminates on Karl Rove’s role in his firing, being jilted by the administration following his dismissal and how he plans on voting in November. (Editor and Publisher)

On the same day House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers issued former Bush-adviser Karl Rove with a subpoena for his role in the firing of U.S. attorneys and the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman (D), lawyers for Siegelman appealed his 2006-conviction for bribery. Siegelman claims the alleged bribes were contributions he asked for on behalf of the Alabama Education Lottery Foundation, and the sentence he received was overly harsh because he went public with suspicions that Republicans were responsible for his prosecution. (Associated Press)

A Pentagon audit has found $8.2 billion of taxpayer funds lost through contracts the U.S. Army has with contractors since the payments rarely followed federal rules. The absence of accountability in Iraq allowed contractors to receive massive payouts from the U.S. despite little or no record of results on the ground. (New York Times)

Lawyers for a handful of Guantanamo Bay detainees were requesting trial delays, claiming the government made it impossible for them to seek defense. But now a military judge is ignoring those pleas, setting up arraignments for the five prisoners for June 5. (Associated Press)

The United States has promised a U.N. committee that they will review the number of juvenile detainees at Guantanamo Bay following suspicions that there are more than the U.S.-reported eight between ages 13 and 17 (at the time of their capture) currently at the prison. (Associated Press)

Wrapping Guantanamo Bay with a “brighter” note, an al-Qaeda conspirator, Ibrahim al Qosi, was allowed to phone his family for their consultation in finding legal defense for him following his refusal to accept a U.S. military lawyer. (Miami Herald)

The Justice Dept. has appointed some 30 former prosecutors and government officials to monitor corporate activity in deferred prosecutions. The monitors flag the company when they stray, resulting in fines and a shift in practice rather than criminal prosecution. (New York Times)

Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) was indicted in February for allegedly supporting legislation that would profit him over $700,000. Renzi is now asking the judge in his case to throw out nearly 50 cell phone calls the FBI recorded in 2006. His lawyers are claiming the calls were with attorneys and were legally protected. At the same time, a House ethics subcommittee has determined that their own investigation into Renzi’s activities will be suspended in order avoid obstructing the ongoing federal probe of the 35 counts against him. (The Hill and Roll Call sub. req.)