Ousted Prosecutors: DOJ Discouraged Complaints
Several ousted U.S. attorneys maintain they were pressured to remain silent about their dismissals, in written statements released yesterday.
Several ousted U.S. attorneys maintain they were pressured to remain silent about their dismissals, in written statements released yesterday.
Former U.S. Atty. Paul Charlton of Phoenix says he was told Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would not speak ill of him if he did not complain about his removal, according to the Los Angeles Times.
It was “a quid pro quo agreement,” Charlton said in the statement to the House Judiciary Committee. “My silence in exchange for the attorney general’s.”
Another fired prosecutor, H.E. “Bud” Cummins of Little Rock, Ark., noted a similar entreaty by DOJ aide Michael Elston. Cummins says he discussed Elston’s words with other fired prosecutors.
“They were offended and viewed the statements made by Elston as a threat,” Cummins said. “One remarked, ‘What’s next? A horse head in the bed?’ “
