Saturday, May 05, 2007

U.S. Attorney in Seattle Fired for Investigating Murder of Federal Prosecutor

New Story for Firing Emerges
Ex-U.S. Attorney Clashed With Bosses Over Murder Probe
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
May 5, 2007; Page A07

A U.S. attorney in Seattle was singled out for dismissal in part because he clashed with senior Justice Department officials over the investigation of a federal prosecutor's murder, and he was recommended for removal 18 months earlier than was previously known, according to newly disclosed documents and interviews.

D. Kyle Sampson, former chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, told congressional investigators that he believes he may have recommended former U.S. attorney John McKay's removal in March 2005 because of conflicts with senior Justice officials over the investigation of the 2001 murder of federal prosecutor Tom Wales, according to congressional aides and Sampson's attorney. ...

"The idea that I was pushing too hard to investigate the assassination of a federal prosecutor -- it's mind-numbing" that they would suggest that, McKay said. " . . . If it's true, it's just immoral, and if it's false, then the idea that they would use the death of Tom Wales to cover up what they did is just unconscionable."

Full story:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/04/AR2007050402169.html?hpid=topnews