N&O: U.S. Targeted Charlotte Attorney (didn't know she was on the list; prosecuted top NC Repub)

[Hissyspit]

http://www.newsobserver.com/114/story/554149.html

Published: Mar 16, 2007 12:30 AM
Modified: Mar 16, 2007 03:22 AM

U.S. targeted Charlotte attorney
Gretchen C.F. Shappert prosecuted Sam Currin, a top North Carolina Republican, last year

Shappert didn't know she was on the list.

Barbara Barrett, Washington Correspondent

U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert of Charlotte was among the attorneys whom federal Justice Department officials wanted removed as part of a sweeping housecleaning this winter, according to e-mail messages released this week to the House and Senate judiciary committees.
Shappert, a Republican who has been on the job since May 2004, was on a list under the category, "USAs We Now Should Consider Pushing Out," according to the e-mail messages.

In the end, she was allowed to stay on. It is unclear why Shappert was under scrutiny. But among her prosecutions in the past year was that of Sam Currin, a top figure in North Carolina Republican circles.

Currin and two co-defendants were indicted in April. Currin was charged with seven felonies, including tax fraud conspiracy, perjury, obstruction of justice and witness tampering in a fraud case involving offshore investments. He pleaded guilty to three charges in November and is awaiting sentencing.

- snip -

Shappert said Thursday evening that she had no idea she was on the agency's list.

- snip -

"I recommend removing W.D.N.C. from Section V," responded Monica Goodling, the Justice Department's liaison to the White House. Those initials stand for Western District of North Carolina, where Shappert is the U.S. attorney.

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[damntexdem]

1. She appears to have been at least half competent --

a major sin to the Bushistas.

That she also indicted and convicted (pled) a GOP fat cat was likely just bitter icing on the Bushevik cake.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Interesting that local attorneys opposed his nomination

1984: Recommended by Helms for a federal judgeship, but local lawyers opposed the nomination.

Former U.S. attorney arrested Article from Raleigh News & Observer 4/19/2006

Currin, a protege of former U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, is well-known in conservative Republican politics in North Carolina. His connections were on display in his law office, which has featured photographs of Currin with such luminaries as Helms, former President Reagan and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Helms nominated Currin, who had worked for him as an aide in Washington, to be U.S. attorney for the Eastern District. Currin held that position from 1981 to 1987. Helms then nominated Currin's wife, Margaret, to succeed him.

Helms also nominated Currin to be a federal judge -- although he was never confirmed. Currin went on to serve as a state Superior Court judge but failed to win election to the N.C. Supreme Court.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Currin was also a former US Attorney, State Republican Party Chair and judge

His wife Margaret was a former US Attorney

Sam appointed during Reagan and Margaret during Bush 41