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Let's hope US Atty Carol Lam has an indictment for Ca Rep John
DooLittle ready by
Feb 15 - cuz Bush/Gonzales are trying to obstruct it!
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<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/opinion/25thu4.html?th&emc=th">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/opinion/25thu4.html?th&emc=th</a>
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<!-- Arial -->Editorial
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<!-- Georgia --><font size="+1"><font size="+1"><font size="+1"><font
size="+1"><font size="+1"><font size="+1">Political
Meddling With Justice <br>
</font></font></font></font></font></font><!-- Arial --><!-- 8080,8080,8080 --><font
size="-1">Published:
January 25, 2007</font><font size="-1">
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</font><!-- Georgia --><font size="+1">The
federal investigation into Congressional corruption is approaching a
crucial deadline and potential dead end. Feb. 15 is the last day on
the job for United States Attorney Carol Lam of San Diego, the
inquiry’s dedicated prosecutor, who is being purged by the Bush
administration.
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Her investigation led to the imprisonment of former Representative
Randy Cunningham, the California Republican who took millions of
dollars in bribes in exchange for delivering lucrative government
contracts. But just as Ms. Lam was digging into other possible
wrongdoing, the White House decided to force her from office without
explanation.
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Ms. Lam has been investigating the dealings of Brent Wilkes, a
private contractor and deep-pocketed political contributor who was
designated co-conspirator No. 1 in the Cunningham case. Mr. Wilkes
developed other cozy relationships. Among other avenues, the inquiry
has been looking into rich government contracts secured by
corporations and lobbyists with ties to Representative Jerry Lewis —
the former appropriations chairman — and his staff. The Wall Street
Journal is reporting that Mr. Wilkes could be indicted before Ms. Lam
leaves office. The question now is whether her successor, as yet
unnamed, will pursue the inquiry with the same dedication or will
quietly smother it.
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The outlook isn’t promising. The administration is defenestrating at
least six other U.S. attorneys. Yet Attorney General Alberto Gonzales
is refusing to provide Congress with details on these unmerited
dismissals. He insists that there’s no attempt to quash fresh
Republican scandals and says only the “very best” will be named as
replacements.
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We are skeptical, especially since the White House’s reported choice
to replace Little Rock’s federal attorney is a Republican operative
close to Karl Rove. Congress must demand a clear explanation from Mr.
Gonzales and the White House on why these prosecutors are being
ousted. It must search out every shady aspect of this clearly
politically motivated purge — with a particular eye on Feb. 15.</font>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="80">--
Wes Rolley
17211 Quail Court
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
(408)778-3024
"Happiness is to be fully engaged in the activity that you believe in and, if you are very good at it, well that's a bonus." -- Henry Moore</pre>
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