It might be just a little ironic that the integrity of the Public Integrity Unit is on shaky ground these days. This once elite unit has taken a beating of late and the Atty. General knows he’s got a lot of work to do to turn things around.
By CHARLIE SAVAGE
New York Times
WASHINGTON – A week after shutting down the criminal case against former Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska because it had been botched by prosecutors, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. delivered a pep talk to Justice Department lawyers.
The latest on President Obama, the new administration and other news from Washington and around the nation. Join the discussion.
“I’m here to tell you personally that I’ve got your back,” Mr. Holder told prosecutors in the department’s Public Integrity Section, an elite unit charged with pursuing corruption charges against public officials. He called them “among the finest lawyers in the entire government,” promised them more resources and vowed not to back off from “prosecuting the tough cases when warranted because of the criticism we’re getting right now.”
Despite Mr. Holder’s gesture of reassurance last month, recalled by someone present, the public integrity unit, once the pride of the Justice Department, is badly in need of rehabilitation, according to current and former officials.
OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST
- Feds Ready to Start Building Virtual Fence Along Border (AP)
- Ex-Illinois Cop Drew Peterson Arrested on State Murder Charges in Third Wife’s Death (Herald News)
- Atty. Gen. Holder Says Getting Dawn Johnsen Confirmed as Justice Dept. Legal Counsel “Probably My Top Priority” (National Journal)
- Students Protest Honorary Degree for John Ashcroft at Missouri University (AP)
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch Named Interim U.S. Attorney in Kansas (AP)
