U.S. Attorney Generals firings still under investigation

“The White House improperly injected partisan politics into our justice system,” said Chairwoman on the Commercial and Administrative Law, Linda T. Sanchez (D-Calif.) during todays House Judiciary Committee hearing on the ongoing investigation on the firings of the U.S. attorney generals in 2006 and the related matters.

Called to testify before the committee was Inspector General Glenn Fine, who together with the Office of Professional Responsibility, put together a report that was released Monday from the Department of Justice (DOJ). The report suggested that there will be further investigations into the matter. According to Sanchez, the report has raised doubts about DOJ:s credibility in future prosecuting processes. “I’m was disturbed, but not surprised, that the report found improper political considerations to be an important factor in the removal of several of the fired U.S. Attorneys,” Sanchez said.

“This rapport that was submitted by the Inspector General for the Department of Justice leaves very little dispute that the firings where improper,” said House Judiciary Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.) According to Conyers, the DOJ has clearly been severely damage.

Current Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey appointed Nora Dannehy as the prosecutor for the continuing investigation whether there will be criminal charges raised against Alberto Gonzales and several other White House officials such as Karl Rove and Harriet Miers, who have not been willing to co-operate in the investigation.

According to Sanchez, the Attorney General choice of Dannehy as leading prosecutor for the further investigation on the matter with the firings of the U.S. Attorney Generals, could continue to keep the investigation in the dark. “The Attorney General Michael Mukasey’s appointment of Nora Dannehy may prevent the truth about the firings from ever being revealed,” said Sanchez.