Ethics committee criticizes retiring Sen. Domenici

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WASHINGTON -- Retiring Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., created an appearance of impropriety when he called a federal prosecutor in New Mexico to inquire about the timing of corruption indictments, the Senate ethics committee said Thursday.

The committee criticized Domenici in a letter to the senator, but it recommended no punishment.

The prosecutor, David Iglesias, later was fired and said he felt pressured by Domenici. He was among eight U.S. attorneys who were dismissed by the Bush administration, sparking Democratic accusations that they were fired for political reasons.

The firings were one of the controversies surrounding former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales when he resigned from his Cabinet post.

Washington Post

What Gonzales controversy? What U.S. attorney dismissals? Domenici JUST receives criticism. And, the beat goes on .....