DOJ launches investigation into CIA tape destruction.

The Justice Department has “opened a criminal investigation into the destruction of CIA interrogation videotapes,” reports the AP. Attorney General Michael Mukasey has named John Durham, a federal prosecutor in Connecticut, to oversee the case.

UPDATE: In his statement, Mukasey explains that the FBI will be conducting the investigation under Durham’s supervision.

UPDATE II: Marty Lederman says John Durham is neither “outside” nor “special,” nor “independent”: “Durham will still report to the Deputy Attorney General, who in turn reports to Judge Mukasey. This is not like the Scooter Libby case, in which the ‘special’ prosecutor was guaranteed substantial independence from Main Justice.”