3 federal prosecutors quit manager posts

[struggle4progress]

Source: Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

They left their management jobs with the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office and will go back to prosecuting cases.

By Dan Browning and Pam Louwagie, Star Tribune

Last update: April 06, 2007 – 12:01 AM

In a surprising move, three top lawyers in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office resigned their management positions Thursday and will return to prosecuting cases.

The resignations of the first assistant U.S. attorney, who is second in command, and the chiefs of both the criminal and civil divisions of the office, were communicated internally late Thursday afternoon, according to a source with direct knowledge of the events. The job changes followed a visit to the office by a representative from the Executive Office of the U.S. Attorney in Washington, D.C.

The resignations are certain to raise questions, especially in light of the controversy surrounding U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and the way the Bush administration replaced eight U.S. attorneys around the country since August ~snip~

"It's just absolutely extraordinary that these three top managers would voluntarily demote themselves," said one defense attorney knowledgeable about the office. "I mean, it's a rank cut. ... And then it would be a salary cut, too." ~snip~




Read more: http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1104033.html

[Kagemusha]

1. And we all know how utterly shocking it is to take a salary cut for principle.

That's pretty much unheard of for non millionaire ambassadors after all.

(No, really, it's quite a demonstration of ire about the US attorney removal in that state...)

[struggle4progress]

2. Feel free to provide evidence that these moves signal principled objection

[Kagemusha]

5. I'm sorry, no.

I don't owe you evidence. I'm responding to a media report, to a comment about "And it's a pay cut too!" as if it is evidence of principled objection, unheard of with say, Republicans. If you believe it not to be evidence, which seems likely, great - it'll either emerge, or it won't, through the media. I'm not taking personal responsibility for proving what's in these people's minds or not. That responsibility is theirs.

[hang a left]

13. Feel free to tell everyone what the article is not telling us. nt

[struggle4progress]

43. All the articles I've seen depend heavily on anonymous sources for ...

... interpretation of the shake-up.

While I certainly don't oppose use of anonymous sources, this Administration has a six-year history of pushing talking-points through anonymous sources, and there's been considerable media collaboration.

So at this point, I have to wonder, for example, whether some higher-level strategist instructed the office to use anonymous interviews to portray this as a conflict over management style: the idea would be that the Justice Department would rather ride out some public noise about "dictatorial manners" than deal with an investigation into the real reason underlying the demotions.

[hang a left]

14. btw

read down the thread.

knee jerk response without any knowledge IMO.

Please, after what has happened, do some research before sticking your hoof in your mouth.

[Kagemusha]

20. I'll just shut the hell up and not say anything at all, how about that?

I was providing a remark about a, frankly, silly statement in the article above, not providing holy absolution to anyone. But that's not allowed, sorry.

Goodday.

[hang a left]

22. Please don't go away mad.

I didn't mean to offend you.

[Kagemusha]

35. Sorry. I should have tempered my words better.

Bottom line is, we're all in the same boat here - we don't know anything about this story for sure, and to the extent the media thinks it does, it's speculation anyway... I don't have a special insight into this, except that "and it's a pay cut too!" comes off as practically a laugh line...

We'll see what happens.

[maddezmom]

16. agree

:hi: they have a whack job as a boss see down thread

[Kagemusha]

21. Apparently I'm completely, insultingly wrong according to other posters

so apologies for apparently misleading you.

[maddezmom]

36. no apologies needed for me

:)

[struggle4progress]

40. You may not be wrong. The anonymous sources quoted suggest you're right. But

I'm increasingly sceptical about anonymous sources explaining what happened somewhere in this administration, especially if the principals won't talk in public and if other context suggests some scandal.

Moreover, people offer prefer to "resign" a position, rather than to be fired, so it's not immediately clear that the "resignations" voluntary.

And, suggestively, the immediately prior heads of this office suddenly resigned, uttering the magic words that he wished to spend more time with his family, at which point the Administration installed the very young current head from Gonzales' circle, ignoring those inside the office who had the experience and desire to run it.

I just want something more definitive than anonymous sources -- if available.

[glitch]

3. Interesting. Follow their actions to find the crimes they are trying to cover up.

Wonder what's going on in Minnesota?

[PSPS]

4. If they're "bushies," this is preparation for the Coleman/Franken race (caging)

[mediaman007]

6. Are these career employess, or appointees?

[struggle4progress]

7. Shakeup at U.S. attorney's office

Four top assistants resign management posts
BY SHANNON PRATHER
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/05/2007 09:42:44 PM CDT

~snip~ "This is a decapitation of the office," said a source with knowledge of the office. "I've never heard of anything like this. People work all their lives to be at these high levels in the office. This is an extraordinary event." ~snip~

The former managers either did not return calls or could not be reached for comment Thursday night. ~snip~

This is Paulose's second change in administration since taking over the office last February, sources say. Lackner started out as Paulose's first assistant attorney and was moved to the lower position of chief of criminal division. Paulose replaced her former chief of the civil division with Mozangue. ~snip~

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_5604640

[Cogito ergo doleo]

8. TPM : "Still more on the staff shake-up in the Minneapolis US

Attorney's office, where 33-year old Federalist Society member and former Gonzales aide Rachel Paulose was just sworn in last month.

There've been a few hints that something fishy was up in the Minneapolis US Attorney's office where 33-year old Rachel Paulose was sworn in to office last month in a lavish 'investiture' ceremony some have called a 'coronation'. Paulose's predecessor left under murky circumstances. And there are some hints that the Justice Department may originally have considered giving Paulose a Patriot Act appointment rather than going down the old-fashioned senate confirmation route."

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

More from TPM (who links this to the link below)

"It’s a major shakeup at the offices of new U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose.

Four of her top staff voluntarily demoted themselves Thursday, fed up with Paulose, who, after just months on the job, has earned a reputation for quoting Bible verses and dressing down underlings."

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=2860127&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

[tanyev]

19. Yeah, cause Jesus was all about giving people stern dressing downs.

:eyes:

[struggle4progress]

9. The Curious Case of Rachel Paulose (Minnesota Campaign Report)

The Curious Case of Rachel Paulose

... Paulose was nominated for the post by Sen. Norm Coleman ... According to IndiaWest, Paulose is "a registered Republican and has worked for GOP candidates" ... FEC records show that Paulose has donated $1,500 to Norm Coleman's campaign since November 2005 ... An article by McClatchy Newspapers states that, "according to a former boss, has been a member of the secretive, ideologically conservative Federalist Society" ...

http://www.mncampaignreport.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=298

Paulose's Resume

A copy of Rachel Paulose's resume was part of the DOJ Document dump and is available here on page 11 <as pdf>: http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/DOJDocsPt2-9070319.pdf

The resume reads like a pathetic application for admission to the inner circle of Bush republicanism:

"work included successful representation of Republican party in election lawsuit; defense of faith-based health care program"

"work included defense against class action suit demanding slavery reparations"

"Yale Law Christian Fellowship" Board of Directors"
"Westville Bible Chapel: Sunday School teacher"
"Federalist Society: 2001-present" ~snip~

http://tinyurl.com/2s7j3p

[John Q. Citizen]

10. Al should jump on this. K&R n/t

[lovuian]

11. Its called a Work Stoppage

and they don't want to be part of the corruption
Theres a big election in Minnesota for senator Al franken and Coleman

[MagickMuffin]

12. I was about to post, Apparently Rachael is one of Monica's BFF, Bible Thumper-Lawyer

Sorry do not tend to offend but this article claims that she was preaching the bible at them. Also in the articles I have been reading all have implied there were FOUR who left in a MASS EXODUS. Even the DOJ couldn't persuade them to stay. HA-HA

MINNEAPOLIS -- It’s a major shakeup at the offices of new U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose.

Four of her top staff voluntarily demoted themselves Thursday, fed up with Paulose, who, after just months on the job, has earned a reputation for quoting Bible verses and dressing down underlings.

Deputy U.S. Attorney John Marty is just one of the people dropping themselves in rank to simply a U.S. Attorney position. Also making the move are the heads of Paulose’s criminal and civil divisions and the top administrative officer.
http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail?contentId=2860127&version=2&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=1.1.1

Calling ALL MEDIA, get your hot off the press judicial scandals right here.....

edit to include a :kick:&R

[maddezmom]

15. thanks for the link....looks like they did quit due to their boss

:thumbsup:

[struggle4progress]

44. Forgive my skepticism -- but Fox cites no sources.

Fox tells us: top staff voluntarily demoted themselves Thursday, fed up with Paulose and The move is intended to send a message to Washington.

I can't take the voluntarily demoted claim seriously at present. It might be true or it might not be true.

As a general rule, Fox has little credibility with me, and as far as I can tell neither Paulose nor the demoted staff are willing to comment to the media.

The most detailed reports I've seen, pushing such an interpretation, are citing anonymous sources. Under ordinary circumstances, that might be suitable, but given this Administration's context I consider it unpersuasive.

[MagickMuffin]

46. Just to set things right ;=D

I got my link from TPM, the same place that Think Progress gets their info. So, while I don't give any credence to Faux Noise Machine on cable "news", often the local stations will do a better job of providing information to their viewership.

Well there's the rub on who's more credible a local station covering or big "media" types who will report on ALL kinds of gossip. Whenever someone cites an anonymous source I tend NOT to believe what they are saying. Just think how much that has been used the last 6 years. That is one of the Bush Regime/Cartel/Cabal has been doing for years. They're called Whisper Campaigns.
The only time I believe in an anonymous source is if that source is a Whistle-blower. No way I will believe anything reported by the CockTail Party "journalist" as they were exposed by Dan Rather on Real Time...

There that is all:hi:

[struggle4progress]

48. I'm not criticizing you or TPM: I just distrust Fox and don't consider local media very independent

[druidity33]

17. this is big news! nt

[Robbien]

18. The good guys are quitting and the Federalists are the only ones left?

Appears Minnesota will be an all-red state in 2008. For Positive. Even if the Federalists have to arrest every single non-GOPer in the state in order to achieve it.

[wakeme2008]

23. 3 U.S. Attorneys in Minn. Resign Posts

Source: AP

April 6, 2007
3 U.S. Attorneys in Minn. Resign Posts
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 9:57 a.m. ET

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Three lawyers in the U.S. Attorney's office in Minneapolis have resigned from their management posts and will return to prosecuting cases, according to media reports Friday.

U.S. Attorney Rachel Palouse said in a statement that ''the management team supports the decisions of the three who stepped down,'' but she did not comment on what led to the decisions, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported in its Friday editions.





Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Attorney-Resignations.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

---

From http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

It’s a major shakeup at the offices of new U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose.

Four of her top staff voluntarily demoted themselves Thursday, fed up with Paulose, who, after just months on the job, has earned a reputation for quoting Bible verses and dressing down underlings.



Lot of good stuff about her on TPM, another Loyal Fundie Bushie.

[aquart]

24. Destroying American justice, state by state.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

25. quoting verse in US Atty meetings?

Another fine example of Regent Uniworsety ejukashun.
I wonder if they even look at the Constition in CON Law, or if they concentrate on ways to erase the separation of church and state?

[JDPriestly]

26. Do U.S. attorneys usually serve out their full four years

even if a new president is elected? Did Bush pull this trick of firing so many attorneys after the mid-term election in order to have Republican attorneys in control of local offices after the new, probably Democratic president is elected? Am I really slow in asking this question?

[wakeme2008]

28. No

If the party of the President changes they normally all submit their resignations. But some are kept on if they are working on a major case.

[peacetalksforall]

30. A new President has the privilege of letting them go. If the President gets a second term, thereT

could be another 'adjustment' at the beginning of that term. They say that usually they stay in office for the length of the term. Then, maybe more.

This means, this person, who sounds like a radical? might only have less than two years if no martial law. If there's martial law - Cheney will want her there.

Reminder - Republican Convention next summer in St.Paul (the capital from where she does her thing).

Bet she doesn't quote the Beatitudes.

[LiberalFighter]

31. A memo was sent to all USA's and other appointees of the Justice Dept

on or shortly after the 2004 election that Bush was not going to ask for their resignations.

So even apparently, when there isn't an administration change they can have them resign/fired.

[northzax]

33. terms are four years

fixed to the Presidential election cycle. if you get appointed one year in, you have three years remaining on your term.

[pscot]

37. Bush replaced all the US Attorneys

I don't have a link, but a top DOJ official, I believe it was McNulty, testified to the Senate Judiciary that Bush had appointed some 130 U S Attorneys in the course of 6 years. This was done more gradually than in the case of the Clinton administration, but over time, all were replaced. Presumably a new Democratic administration would want to fire anyone appointed by the Bush Criminal Conspiracy.

[snappyturtle]

27. K&R Just one more----somebody!

The Talking Points Memo posts are v-e-r-y interesting. Goodling and Paulose friends....interesting too. Read it! Wonder if we're going to hear about this on msm?

[wakeme2008]

29. IF you read the TPM the local MSM is on it

do not know if it will go national.

[snappyturtle]

39. I DID read the TPM yeah, the local CBS affiliate and

The Minneapolis-Star and the Post Dispatch are "on it" but I have had two tv's on all morning since five o'clock and have not even heard a whisper about this! I just moved here, five months ago, from MN and lots of interesting political things happen in MN, e.g. the murder of Senator Wellstone, and the NATIONAL press gives little to no coverage...I'll hold my breath and see what happens during the rest of the day.

[eomer]

32. Subject should be: 3 U.S. Attorney's Lawyers Resign Posts

Not 3 US Attorneys -- rather 3 lawyers in one US Attorney's office:

Three lawyers in the U.S. Attorney's office in Minneapolis resigned their management posts and will return to prosecuting cases, the office said Friday.

Jeanne Cooney, spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose, confirmed that John Marti, a first assistant U.S. attorney, Erika Mozangue, head of the office's civil division, and James Lackner, who heads the office's criminal division, have ''decided to go back to being prosecutors,'' Cooney said.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Attorney-Resignations.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[wakeme2008]

34. That's AP I just follow LBN rules :) nt

[eomer]

45. The subject I suggested was a copy/paste from the AP article

Maybe AP got it wrong at first and then fixed it sometime after you made the original LBN post?

Anyway, no big deal -- just wanted to avoid confusion.

[struggle4progress]

38. 4 In U.S. Attorney's Office Resign In Protest

Apr 5, 2007 11:37 pm US/Mountain

~snip~ The Bush Administration did not want to see this happen and in an eleventh hour attempt to prevent it, sent a top justice official to Minneapolis Thursday to mediate the situation. The mediation failed. ~snip~

Late Thursday afternoon the four top administrators in her office resigned their management positions in protest of what three well-placed sources say was "a highly dictatorial style" of managing.

The administrators that resigned their positions are First Assistant John Marti, Chief of the Criminal Division Jim Lackner, Chief of the Civil Division Erika Mozangue, and Administrative Officer Tim Anderson. ~snip~

"I think it's a continuation of ideological driven appointments and ideological driven prosecutions," said <Hamline Law Professor Joseph> Daly. ~snip~

http://kutv.com/national/topstories_story_096014619.html

[Bosso 63]

42. Kick

Too bad for Coleman. Ha ha.

[goodhue]

41. Paulose was born in Kerala, India in 1973, so she is an interesting variant

Of a severe, right-wing, bible-quoting, federalist-society lawyer with little prosecutorial experience. She grew up in Ohio, moving to Minnesota at 17 and attending college at University of Minnesota before heading off to Yale Law School. She is far from qualified to be a US Attorney, as she had never been a prosecutor previously despite her sting working for Gonzalez.

[struggle4progress]

47. Paulose tries to move on from shakeup, saying, 'We have work to do'

BY SHANNON PRATHER
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 04/06/2007 01:18:32 PM CDT

... In a statement out of Washington, Justice Department spokesman Brian Roehrkasse described Paulose as "dedicated to leading an effective U.S. attorneys office in Minnesota and enforcing the laws to ensure public safety."

"Three managers have determined to go back to the line to be full-time prosecutors protecting the community they serve and the department respects their decisions," Roehrkasse said. "We are confident during this transition period that the U.S. Attorneys office will remain focused on its law enforcement priorities."

John Kelly, deputy director of the Justice Department's executive office of U.S Attorneys, visited Minneapolis on Thursday to try to resolve the situation, said two aides in Washington who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The prosecutors stepped down after Kelly's visit. The Justice aides said it is not uncommon for the office, which oversees all 94 U.S. attorneys' districts nationwide, to make such visits to handle personnel issues ...

This is Paulose's second change in administration since taking over the office last February, sources say ...

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_5610028

[Bosso 63]

50. My spouse knew Paulose at Dorsey & Whitney LLP

She said that Paulose was "difficult", and nobody wanted to work with her. "Dictatorial style", seems accurate from what she saw.

[cascagraphic]

49. kick