What happened with U.S. Attorney Black in Guam? Another US Attorney debacle

[babylonsister]

http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2007/2/23/213921/478

What happened with U.S. Attorney Black in Guam? Another US Attorney debacle

by roxy317

Tue Mar 13, 2007 at 04:40:13 PM EST

U.S. Atty. Frederick A. Black had been the acting US Attorney for Guam (US territory) since 1991, when he was suddenly demoted in November 2002. The Whitehouse denied that there was any "political" motivation behind the replacement of the federal prosecutor (who at the time was investigating Jack Abramoff), saying it was appropriate to replace him with a permanent, senate-confirmed US Attorney -- as Mr. Black's assignment was never meant to be permanent. Mr. Black continues to work for the US Attorney's office in Guam, as an Assistant US Attorney. (Prior to taking the Acting US Attorney position, he was First Assistant. Being demoted back to staff is a large step backwards, career-wise) The confirmation process for Black's replacement -- Leonardo Rappas -- was "well under way" when his nomination was announced. Black was reportedly "distressed that he was being replaced".

Leonardo Rapadas -- recommended by the Guam Republican Party, was confirmed by the US Senate in May 2003 -- without any debate. The recommendation was apparently made directly to Karl Rove, by Fred Radewagen, a lobbyist under contract to then-governor Gutierrez. John Ashcroft, Attorney General at the time of Rapadas' appointment denied the Attorney General's office had any hand in the demotion of Black or the recommendation of Rapadas.

After taking office, Rapadas immediately recused himself from the ongoing investigation of the Gutierrez administration, as he was a cousin of one of the "main targets" of the investigation.

Was the removal of Black, just as he opened an investigation into Jack Abramoff, coincidental or was there something more sinister afoot?

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[Monkeyman]

1. Oh You Know Very Sinister