DOJ Announces New Guidelines AHEAD of Ashcroft Testimony

[babylonsister]

Again, 'fixing' the problem because they got caught?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/washington/11ashcroft.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1205240863-7P2i012rx1tLkNYli+/GZA


By PHILIP SHENON
Published: March 11, 2008


WASHINGTON — The Justice Department announced guidelines Monday to prevent the sort of conflict-of-interest accusations that followed its decision to steer a private contract worth tens of millions of dollars to former Attorney General John Ashcroft to monitor a large out-of-court settlement.

The announcement came on the eve of scheduled Congressional testimony by Mr. Ashcroft to explain the circumstances of the no-bid 18-month contract, worth $28 million to $52 million, that calls for him to monitor a settlement between the government and an Indiana medical supply company.

Until now, the Justice Department has allowed individual federal prosecutors who do not work in Washington to select outside lawyers to monitor out-of-court settlements involving large companies, with the companies paying the monitors’ fees.

Under the new guidelines, the monitors must now be chosen by a committee and approved in Washington by the office of the deputy attorney general, the department’s No. 2 official.

The timing of the announcement appears intended to undercut some of the criticism of Mr. Ashcroft and the department that is expected to emerge Tuesday at a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/washington/11ashcroft.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1205240863-7P2i012rx1tLkNYli+/GZA

[mac2]

1. A cabinet member of the Bush administration lie and steal?

Imagine that?

Ashcroft lied about 911 terrorists (knew who they were right away and named some who are still alive) is Congress going to question him about that too?

[SpiralHawk]

2. Typical corrupt republicon ploy to avoid responsibility

Screw up, steal, lie, cheat, treason -- whatever -- then dodge reponibility: this is modern republiconism.