GSA Chief Accused of Playing Politics
“Lurita Doan, Chief Administrator of the General Services Administration, joined Karl Rove deputy Scott Jennings in a videoconference earlier this year with top GSA political appointees, who discussed ways to help Republican candidates. Jennings gave a PowerPoint presentation on Jan. 26 of polling data about the 2006 elections; afterwards, Doan allegedly asked how they could “help ‘our candidates’ in the next elections,” according to a March 6 letter to Doan from Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.” (Washington Post)
US Attorney in Michigan Disputes Reason for Removal
“The ousted United States attorney in western Michigan said Thursday that she was told last November that she was being forced out to make way for another lawyer the Bush administration wanted to groom, not because of management problems. The federal prosecutor, Margaret M. Chiara, 63, speaking publicly for the first time since leaving office last Friday, said in an interview that a senior Justice Department official had told her that her resignation was necessary to create a slot for ‘an individual they wanted to advance.'” (NY Times)
Firing of Nevada Prosecutor Sparks Anger
“Several theories attempt to explain what it means that US Attorney David Bogden (AZ) was fired because the department was moving in ‘another direction.’ One theory is that the new direction might have taken the federal prosecutor’s office away from a corruption probe into newly elected Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons’ financial dealings with a federal contractor. Or maybe, as another e-mail released last week suggested, there was no good reason.” (LA Times)
“Purgegate” Fishiness Summary
“Is there, as Alberto Gonzales insists, a perfectly reasonable explanation for Purgegate? I guess there might be, but there are sure an awful lot of reasons to be skeptical. Here’s a list off the top of my head…” (The Washington Monthly)
Congress Expands Scope of Inquiries Into Justice Department Practices and Politics
“Justice Department officials went before Congress this week to acknowledge that mistakes were made. What left members of Congress upset was not the ouster of eight United States attorneys, whose dismissal has embroiled the department for weeks. It was another subject altogether: the mishandling of national security letters used by the F.B.I. in investigations to obtain sensitive information without judicial oversight.” (NY Times)
Detainee’s Lawyers Seek Removal of Prosecutor
“Defense lawyers for the Australian detainee David Hicks have filed a motion to disqualify the chief prosecutor, Col. Morris D. Davis. The defense lawyers claimed in a motion that Colonel Davis violated rules of professional conduct with a blistering attack this month on Mr. Hicksâs military defense lawyer.” (NYTimes)
Guantanamo Bay Tribunals to Begin Again
“As the newly reconstituted U.S. military trial system takes up its first case today with the arraignment of Australian terrorism suspect David Hicks, a sense of deja vu prevails in the on-again, off-again effort to prosecute those accused of having a role in the Sept. 11 attacks. A ruling on the legitimacy of the tribunals is pending before the Supreme Court, while Congress is still debating whether Guantanamo Bay’s 385 prisoners should be accorded constitutional protections such as the right to challenge their detentions in federal courts through writs of habeas corpus.” (LA Times)
Padilla Judge: Brig Time Doesn’t Count
“A federal judge refused to dismiss terrorism support charges against Jose Padilla on Friday, rejecting defense claims that his 3 1/2 years in custody as an enemy combatant violated his constitutional right to a speedy trial. U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke agreed with prosecutors that Padilla’s years in isolation at a Navy brig did not count because he had not yet been charged.” (Associated Press)
Army Deployed Seriously Injured Troops
“Military experts say that soldiers being returned to combat business despite their poor physical condition. In some cases, soldiers were sent there even though their injuries were so severe that doctors had previously recommended they should be considered for medical retirement from the Army.” (Salon)
City Police Spied Broadly Before GOP Convention
“For at least a year before the 2004 Republican National Convention, teams of undercover New York City police officers traveled to cities across the country, Canada and Europe to conduct covert observations of people who planned to protest at the convention, according to police records and interviews.” (NY Times)
Tillman’s Death Mishandled, Pentagon Says
“A new Pentagon report found that nine officers, including a three-star general, mishandled the investigation into the ‘friendly fire’ death in Afghanistan of Pat Tillman, the pro-football player turned Army Ranger, a senior defense official said Friday night. The report will not mete out specific punishments to the officers, who include four generals in all. But the Army will begin its own review of what action should be taken.” (LA Times)
Bacardi Bill Returns to DC
“Much of Florida’s congressional delegation has quietly renewed an effort to help Miami-based Bacardi in a controversial effort to secure the rights to the Havana Club trademark. The move comes just months after a Washington whistle-blower group asked the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether the liquor maker illegally used corporate resources to organize fundraising events for Florida’s two senators.” (Miami Herald)
