Yet another attorney pushed out?
Suspicions are growing over the case of former U.S. Attorney Debra Yang, “who was leading an investigation into lucrative ties between Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA) and a lobbying firm” when she left her position last fall. Yang says the move was voluntary, but Adam Cohen writes in the NYT today, “there is growing evidence that the White House was intent on removing her.”
Kyle Sampson…told investigators last month in still-secret testimony that Harriet Miers…had asked him more than once about Ms. Yang. He testified, according to Congressional sources, that as late as mid-September, Ms. Miers wanted to know whether Ms. Yang could be made to resign. Mr. Sampson reportedly recalled that Ms. Miers was focused on just two United States attorneys: Ms. Yang and Bud Cummins, the Arkansas prosecutor who was later fired to make room for Tim Griffin, a Republican political operative and Karl Rove protégé.
Paul Kiel notes, “Now, Yang left to become a partner at the white shoe firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher — the firm that, it just so happens, is the one defending Lewis. It should be said that Yang has recused herself from the case. But the timing of her departure, or the offer (a $1.5 million signing bonus), can only bring suspicion. Gibson, Dunn, Cohen notes, has ’strong Republican ties.’”
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HMMM. What color is a golden parachute?
May 4th, 2007 at 11:55 ambut but but Clinton…
May 4th, 2007 at 11:59 amA deal Yang couldn’t refuse…
May 4th, 2007 at 11:59 amI anticipate the day when Bush’s little “pit bull in size six shoes” gets hung out to dry in the winds of the Texas panhandle.
I’d like to see an investigation into the lucrative ties between Jerry Lewis and his hairspray suppliers.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:01 pmBut seriously,Yang is just as much a scumbag as Lewis.
It would be good to know who replaced her. I also have to admit that if someone offers me $1.5 million to quit my job and take another job that pays more, I’ll do it. Really, I am a complete slut.
Hell, I’ll do it for $1.25 million.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pmIs it just me, or isn’t it obvious now that there is something woefully wrong with this attorney purge. I have obviously thought this for sometime, but for our right leaning countrymen, how can you continue to defend this. It may be legal, but I’m now of the thought that it shouldn’t be. And please don’t bust out the “Clinton did it” defense. It doesn’t matter if he did.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:02 pmImagine if Harriet had made it to the Supreme Court? It’s bad enough as it is, but with a crooked branch like her, it would be even worse.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm1.5 million for a “signing bonus” - WTF? That is the going rate for star athletes and movie actors, not attorneys. This should have raised a lot more eyebrows than it did. I don’t know what US Attorney’s are paid, but I am sure it is under 200K. Doesn’t it seem highly dubious that an attorney would make more for signing a document that they would in 6 years of work?
Mr. President, I smell a big fat Republican rat.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:12 pmOnce again, they serve at the pleasure of the President. So yes, another attorney may have been “pushed out”… and there was nothing wrong with that.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:14 pmImagine if Harriet had made it to the Supreme Court? It’s bad enough as it is, but with a crooked branch like her, it would be even worse.
Comment by powkat
Look at who did make it, Roberts and Alito, and not one attempt to fillibuster from the Democrats. The Democrats rolled over during the whole 109th, like a submissive mutt.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pmI am still furious as hell at them over that.
Just like I am not real happy with Pelosi blocking impeachment from even getting discussed on the floor of the house, even with the blatent nose thumbing at the Law by Bush and Co.
“Comment by MAF54 — May 4, 2007 @ 12:14 pm”
Jake, there is if it was to INTERFERE with an ongoing investigation…..
GEEEZZZZEEEE!!!!!
May 4th, 2007 at 12:17 pmMAF54 - C’mon dude. You can’t see the obvious obstruction of justice here? You guys are so pathetic when you try to defend these corrupt fools. While your seemly bottomless well of lies and stupidity might give you some fodder to post here - it will not save these mendacious crooks and liars from being exposed. I hope you and your ilk are remembered when these fascists are gone or in jail. I hope your neighbors and co-workers look at you a say “There goes one of those poor fools who brainlessly followed them, who stood with them after they had been revealed to be crooks, who defended them to the end. What a moron.”
May 4th, 2007 at 12:29 pmAh Yeah the 1.5 mil bonus she (Yang) couldn’t refused.How did she not obstruct justice by going to work for the Firm that was defending against her(Yang) investigation?? Besides recusing herself from defending Lewis means zilch,are you saying she couldn’t pass on the the ins & out of the case to some flunky.It’s as if she was spying for Lewis and Co.under the guise that she was invetigating him.Just shameless
May 4th, 2007 at 12:30 pmShe should be called to testify.
Answer to #1~
May 4th, 2007 at 12:34 pmUrine yellow.
“So yes, another attorney may have been “pushed outâ€â€¦ and there was nothing wrong with that.”
using the justice department for partisan purposes has no place in a democracy. if that doesn’t sound kosher to you, then find a place that shares your disdain for the u.s. constitution and move there.
May 4th, 2007 at 12:35 pmOnce again, they serve at the pleasure of the President. So yes, another attorney may have been “pushed outâ€â€¦ and there was nothing wrong with that.
Comment by MAF54 — May 4, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
Wrong, these positions are appointed by the President, but he cannot remove them later for political reasons.
Why do you support this MAF54? This exactly how the Soviet Union does things - that’s what you want America to be?
May 4th, 2007 at 12:43 pmOkay trolls, even if you don’t think it’s illegal could you at least see where it’s unethical?
May 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pmCoincidence? I think not!
May 4th, 2007 at 1:10 pmMAF54=ROVE!
May 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pmsup buddy? Gettin yer hole all lubed up for prison?
#16: If it’s illegal, don’t do it - if you can get caught. If it could be seen as unethical, go ahead. You can always spin it right.
May 4th, 2007 at 2:14 pmIs it a coincidence that Jerry Lewis owes the same law firm close to $1MM in legal fees? Hope Jerry’s financial backers don’t mind their money used to finance his legal bills.
Maybe the GOP will conduct a telethon to help pay for research into RCS (Republican Corruption Syndrome). Seems to effect 1 in 3 Congressional members, cut down in the prime of their grafting/war-profiteering lives.
They can even have Jerry Lewis as both the MC and poster boy.
May 4th, 2007 at 2:30 pm16: If it’s illegal, don’t do it - if you can get caught. If it could be seen as unethical, go ahead. You can always spin it right.
Comment by MAF54 — May 4, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Ahhh, you’re showing your true, facist, colors. Personally, I prefer freedom over fascism. Rather than trying to change America to a place that suits you better, just move to North Korea. You’ll find it more to your liking.
May 4th, 2007 at 2:49 pmSounds like a bribe to me. Isn’t that illegal…duh. Seriously, this legal firm’s emails and other documents should immediately be subpeoned…as should Ms. Yang.
May 4th, 2007 at 3:29 pmClinton fired 93 attorneys. How many are we up to with Bush?
May 4th, 2007 at 5:42 pmClinton fired 93 attorneys. How many are we up to with Bush?
Comment by paul — May 4, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
Paul-
Every President is well within his rights to clean out the USA’s from the previous President. No one argues that. Each President has different priorities and their choice of USA’s are understood. Clinton fired 2 USA’s during his term….both for inappropriate behaviour. What you don’t do is manipulate the hiring/firing of USA’s to start prosecuting the opposition party or avoid prosecutions of your party to influence elections. Bush-Rove tried to turn the DoJ into their private political club. That’s anti-American. Why do you hate America, Paul?
May 4th, 2007 at 6:32 pmDaily Kos had a diary where they seemed to think that Yang could be and would be prosecuted for this $1.5 million bribe in a major corruption case involving a US Congressman - Rep. Jerry Lewis, appropriate that he has a clown’s name.
May 5th, 2007 at 5:03 am