Former US Attorney alleges Justice cover-up in his firing RAW STORY

Published: Monday May 21, 2007 Print This Email This One of the nine U.S. attorneys whose firing has led to an investigation into the Justice Department alleged a government cover-up of the real reason he was ousted. John McKay, who was a U.S. Attorney in Seattle during a disputed 2004 Governor's race in Washington, said over the weekend that he may have been sacked because of insufficient pursuit of criminal charges against Democrats related to that ultra-close race. "I can see why they would want to come up with an explanation other than the governor's election for why I would be on such a list," McKay said in a speech to a group of moderate Republicans in Wenatchee, Wash., according to a McClatchy Newspapers report. McKay, who was fired in December, said he first appeared on a list of prosecutors to be let go in 2005, in the midst of disputes over the state's governor's race. Democrat Chris Gregoire won that election by just 133 votes, and Republicans were calling for election fraud charges to be brought. If McKay was fired for not bringing charges, he said, "I think it is an entirely improper and perhaps illegal reason for my termination." A federal investigation McKay led found no evidence of a crime in the election. The Justice Department has given conflicting explanations for McKay's dismissal, with Attorney General Alberto Gonzales telling congressional investigators it was because of McKay's public comments about budget cuts and dissatisfaction with his pursuit of an information-sharing project. Gonzales has faced withering criticism for his role in the firing of the nine U.S. Attorneys and allegations from Democrats and some Republicans that the prosecutors were fired because they were not sufficiently loyal to Republican priorities. Several attorneys who were fired either were in the midst of investigations against Republicans or were not pursuing charges against Democrats. At least five Republican Senators have called for Gonzales' resignation, and many observers say it is only President Bush's intense feelings of loyalty to his longtime aide that is keeping Gonzales in office. The senate is expected to take up a "no confidence" vote on Gonzales, perhaps as early as this week, unless he resigns first.



