attorney general

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Cautious Mukasey Disappoints Former Backers

It's 'business as usual' in AG's office

(Newser) - Attorney General Michael Mukasey's cautious approach has disappointed one-time backers who hoped for a new direction at the Justice Department, reports the New York Times. He has been reluctant to probe the US attorney firings that triggered predecessor Alberto Gonzales' downfall, and has moved at a snail's pace on issues...

Ohio AG Quits Amid Sex Harassment Scandal

Offices raided by state troopers following complaints

(Newser) - The Ohio attorney general who once vowed to dismantle the state's "culture of corruption" resigned yesterday just hours after a raid on his office by state troopers seeking evidence of illegal activity. Democrat Marc Dann is embroiled in scandal linked to an affair with an aide and was under...

Ohio AG Keeps Job Despite Sex Scandals

Dann had affair, knew of sexual harassment; 4 employees lose jobs

(Newser) - Ohio's scandal-hit AG has admitted having an affair, and apologized for his "human failings" in not cracking down on sexual harassment in his office, but doesn't plan to step down, the Columbus Dispatch reports. Marc Dann didn't name the woman, but his chief scheduler, whom he admitted spent the...

No Joy in Job Hunt for Ex-Attorney General

Employers say thanks, but no thanks to Alberto Gonzales

(Newser) - Ex-attorneys general often enjoy elite private sector jobs, but disgraced Alberto Gonzales is still job-hunting since he resigned last August, the New York Times reports. Lawyers say perjury allegations concerning testimony about eavesdropping and his role in the politically motivated firing of federal prosecutors are the biggest problems with Gonzales'...

Dems Slam Ashcroft for 'Backroom' $52M Contract

Ex-AG denies charges in House hearing

(Newser) - John Ashcroft angrily denied congressional Democrats' allegations today that a lucrative no-bid contract the Justice Department awarded him represents a conflict of interest, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Democrats characterized the contract as a “backroom sweetheart deal” because Ashcroft's ex-subordinates selected his firm to monitor a medical supply company...

Corporate America Revels in Spitzer's Fall

Schadenfreude strikes onetime targets of 'Sheriff of Wall Street'

(Newser) - Wall Street is reveling in the fall of Eliot Spitzer, who as AG made exposing corruption highly personal, reports the Wall Street Journal. "He actually believes he's above the law," says ex-NYSE director Ken Langone, whom Spitzer sued for paying too much to the Big Board's CEO. "...

Jailed Ex-Gov Wants Special Counsel
Jailed Ex-Gov Wants Special Counsel
Feb 26, 2008 8:47 AM CST

Jailed Ex-Gov Wants Special Counsel

Siegelman seeks probe after '60 Minutes' report; Rove denies role

(Newser) - Lawyers for Jim Siegelman want an outside investigator to look into charges that GOP operatives railroaded the ex-governor of Alabama on bribery charges, reports the AP. "60 Minutes" reported Sunday that prosecutors met over 70 times with the aide that helped put Siegelman behind bars, and had him write...

Stalling Spy Bill Hurts Intel, Admin Asserts

Letter pushes House Dems to pass new wiretapping rules

(Newser) - As House Dems refuse to pass the Senate’s wiretapping bill, the administration is heaping more pressure on them to change their minds, reports Muckraker. A letter to the House intelligence committee from top administration officials claims that the failure to pass the bill is causing “lost intelligence information”...

Spitzer Slams Bush for Abetting Bad Lenders
Spitzer Slams Bush for Abetting Bad Lenders
OPINION
Feb 14, 2008 12:12 PM CST

Spitzer Slams Bush for Abetting Bad Lenders

Says feds barred states from halting predators

(Newser) - The Bush administration was a “willing accomplice” to predatory lending practices that cost thousands of Americans their homes and endangered our economy, Eliot Spitzer writes in the Washington Post. When state attorneys general (including Spitzer at the time) tried to act against a spike in deceptive and even illegal...

Senate Grills Mukasey Today on Waterboarding

Mukasey warns he'll stonewall on questions about legality

(Newser) - A high-noon face off is looming today between Attorney General Michael Mukasey and the Senate Judiciary Committee over waterboarding, the simulated drowning interrogation technique that many consider torture. Committee chair Patrick Leahy said Mukasey faces "serious questions" on the issue at today's hearing. But Mukasey has warned Leahy in...

Will Edwards Be Obama's AG?
Will Edwards Be Obama's AG?
Jan 27, 2008 5:15 PM CST

Will Edwards Be Obama's AG?

His camp denies the rumor; either way, 3rd-place finisher stays in race

(Newser) - He doesn't have a single primary win yet, but as John Edwards continues his bid for the presidency, rumors are swirling that the trial lawyer is more likely to end up as attorney general in an Obama administration. "Illinois Democrats" have been quietly circulating the rumor, claims Robert Novak,...

At Mukasey Ceremony, Bush Vows Justice Makeover

New Attorney General brings 'clear purpose and resolve'

(Newser) - President Bush looked on as Michael Mukasey was ceremonially sworn in today as attorney general today, the AP reports, and promised to rebuild the ravaged Justice Department behind him. “Michael Mukasey has my complete trust and confidence,” Bush said. “And he's going to have the trust and...

Mukasey Would Enforce New Torture Law, Senator Says

Schumer helps AG nomination move ahead

(Newser) - Michael Mukasey has told Chuck Schumer he would enforce a law specifically prohibiting waterboarding and other torture practices, the senator writes in today's Times. The AG nominee's personal assurance and respect for the rule of law earned him the New York Democrat’s support in this morning's 11-8 Judiciary Committee...

Mukasey Calls Waterboarding 'Repugnant,' Dodges Legality

AG nominee's 'massive hedge' worries critics

(Newser) - Attorney general nominee Michael Mukasey frustrated senators on both sides of the aisle by again refusing to specify whether he considers waterboarding a form of torture, calling it only "repugnant," CNN reports. "Hypotheticals are different from real life," Mukasey wrote to confirmation committee members yesterday, adding...

Mukasey Hits Resistance on Torture
Mukasey Hits Resistance
on Torture
Oct 27, 2007 6:47 AM CDT

Mukasey Hits Resistance on Torture

Dems balk over AG nominee's refusal to rule out waterboarding

(Newser) - If AG nominee Michael Mukasey doesn't clarify his views on which interrogation techniques are constitutional, Democratic senators say they may oppose his confirmation. Proceedings that were expected to be smooth sailing ran into trouble this week when Mukasey, who has denounced the use of torture, declined to specify whether he...

Mukasey Silent on Torture, Vocal on Spying

AG nominee's testimony a "massive hedge," says Democratic senator

(Newser) - Michael Mukasey remained mum today on whether interrogation methods such as waterboarding constitute torture. But the president’s nominee for attorney general spoke out in favor of the White House’s eavesdropping program, the NY Times reports, frustrating and confusing Democrats on the second day of his confirmation hearings. Mukasey...

Dems to Grill AG Nominee on Bush's Meddling

Influence on Justice looms as top Mukasey confirmation issue

(Newser) - Michael Mukasey's confirmation hearings kick off tomorrow, and the focus of senators' questions for the AG nominee is already clear, the Christian Science Monitor reports: Democrats want assurances he’ll be more independent than Alberto Gonzales. Pat Leahy, for one, is looking for agreement that “federal law enforcement should...

NY Targets Facebook Predators
NY Targets Facebook Predators
Sep 25, 2007 3:49 AM CDT

NY Targets Facebook Predators

Cuomo probe uncovers sex solicitation and poor response from company

(Newser) - The online social networking site Facebook is becoming a hangout for sexual predators hunting young victims, according to an undercover investigation by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Investigators pretending to be teenagers on Facebook were repeatedly solicited by adult sexual predators, reports Computerworld. But when complaints were filed with...

Mukasey Is No Gonzales
Mukasey Is
No Gonzales
Sep 23, 2007 12:05 PM CDT

Mukasey Is No Gonzales

Independent AG nominee, a 'serious judge,' could prove a thorn for Bush

(Newser) - Michael Mukasey, President Bush's candidate to succeed embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, has an independent streak that could end up changing the way the Justice Department is run. This could make things sticky for Bush in dealing with the congressional probes into activities under the previous AG's reign, suggests the...

Mukasey Courts the Hill
Mukasey Courts the Hill
Sep 18, 2007 5:59 PM CDT

Mukasey Courts the Hill

Attorney general nominee meets with lawmakers to prep for hearings

(Newser) - Mukasey mingled today with the Dems who will make or break his chance at becoming the next attorney general. If they're worried about him taking on the job, none showed it, Bloomberg reports. Even Senator Leahy, who wants the White House to fork over documents on its surveillance program before...

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