House renews probe of U.S. attorney firings

[sabra]

Source: Las Vegas Sun

Vote to continue lawsuit means inside story of Bogden’s dismissal may come to light

Washington — The untold story of the firing of Nevada’s former U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden may yet be unraveled. The House on Tuesday voted to continue a lawsuit seeking testimony from the Bush administration about the politicizing of the Justice Department.

As part of a routine package of rules governing the opening of the new Congress, the House agreed to continue the lawsuit it brought last year after President George W. Bush’s former officials ignored subpoenas to produce documents and appear before the House Judiciary Committee.

...

Democratic Rep. Shelley Berkley said Congress should do no less.

“A very fine U.S. attorney from the state of a Nevada was unceremoniously removed for no reason – I would like to know why, I would like it top be made public and I would like those responsible punished,” Berkley said. “By passing this rule we have assured this will be done.”

...

Because the subpoenas expired Tuesday, with the start of the new Congress, the House passed rules to ensure they could be swiftly reissued. Without the subpoenas the underlying lawsuit could be challenged.

The committee expects to reissue the subpoenas in coming days.

Read more: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jan/07/house-renews-probe-us-attorney-firings/

[proud progressive]

1. any bets on anyone being prosecuted for this?

[merh]

4. I'd settle for the ones that were tried in the political trials

being set free and their convictions overturned.

[Piewhacket]

2. No big deal. Just routine. Wake me in 13 days.

:hide:

[jtrockville]

3. Something tells me the lawyers won't let this issue disappear.

[Old and In the Way]

5. More analysis here-

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2009/01/06/the-little-bomblet-for-turdblossom-in-the-new-rules/#

While I'm not holding my breath to see this administration held accountable by Congress, it is intriguing, nonetheless. They could have swept this under the rug and used the excuse that time ran out on them in the 110th Congress. Instead, they've specifically addressed it in the new rules....why would they do that unless they are serious about prosecuting? It would be the height of idiocy to resurrect this issue just to capitulate again.

[Piewhacket]

6. These are not the droids you are looking for...