This is old news, but like the undead, the policies of the Bush administration have a brutal afterlife.
"...During Bush's tenure, the Justice Department also became politicized to an unprecedented degree.
"One of the most visible among the hundreds of political prosecutions was former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman. A Democrat and the only Alabamian to have served in all four of the top state elected positions, he was a choice target of Karl Rove. After several unsuccessful attempts, Gov. Siegelman was convicted of corruption and sentenced to prison. He is presently out as he awaits his appeal. Ninety-one former US Attorneys of both parties have asked President Obama, AG Holder and DOJ to reexamine Siegelman's case....
"Tamarah Grimes was a paralegal working with the prosecution in the case against Don Siegelman. She contacted House Judiciary Committee Chairman Conyers and the DOJ about the prosecutorial misconduct of Alabama US Attorney Leura Canary and her team. For her pains, Grimes was chastised, intimidated, and ultimately fired, her reputation trashed. To add insult to injury, she was denied health insurance and they're trying to rescind her unemployment benefits.
"This is particularly grievous for Grimes because she was the sole breadwinner in her household and her health insurance policy covered her disabled son. Grimes was terminated just eight days after sending a letter to AG Holder, laying out her concerns about the Siegelman case. Her firing will surely have a stifling effect on any other DOJ employees contemplating similar actions. Unemployed and uninsured, she is on the brink of financial ruin. Tamarah may be bloodied but she is also unbowed. She seeks no one's pity."
No doubt Rep. Conyers is looking into Tamarah Grimes predicament and Siegelman's case. How about AG Holder? Has anyone apprised Pres. Obama of what is happening on his watch? How long will this farce be allowed to run?
The rest of the story: More Collateral Damage from the Siegelman Case – Talking with DOJ Whistleblower, Tamarah Grimes by Joan Brunwasser (OpEdNews 2009-10-08).
Further reading: CBS: More Prosecutorial Misconduct in Siegelman Case by Scott Horton (Harper's 2009-02-24)
The Siegelman Case (The New York Times 2009-04-25)
Prosecutors Resort to Fabrications in Siegelman Case (Legal Schnauzer 2009-09-01)
Whistle-Blower Claims in Siegelman Case Unfounded, Office Says by Stephanie Woodrow (MainJustice 2009-10-05)
Showing posts with label Eric Holder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eric Holder. Show all posts
Torture: Democracy cannot survive without accountablity
Attorney General Eric Holder is considering appointing a special prosecutor to investigate whether crimes were committed by Americans who tortured prisoners in the wake of 9/11. It goes without saying that torture is contrary to American values. It is also against the law. In the aftermath of World War Two, at the war crimes trials at Nuremberg, we held the 
architects and engineers of Nazism responsible for Germany's actions in violation of international law and civilized behavior. Today, justice will not be served equally if only low-level soldiers and security personnel are held accountable for crimes that were planned and executed at the highest levels of government. Holder is getting resistance from within the Obama White House and will need public support if he is to proceed. But it is important that, if he does go ahead, no compromise be struck that allows the appointment of a prosecutor who is prohibited from following the evidence up the chain of command.
Working Assets' CREDO Action has ginned up a petition to help the A.G. stick to his guns:
See, also: Clamor grows over CIA secrets.
Follow up: International Justice Group Takes Aim at Bush Officials (Washington Independent 2009-11-17)
architects and engineers of Nazism responsible for Germany's actions in violation of international law and civilized behavior. Today, justice will not be served equally if only low-level soldiers and security personnel are held accountable for crimes that were planned and executed at the highest levels of government. Holder is getting resistance from within the Obama White House and will need public support if he is to proceed. But it is important that, if he does go ahead, no compromise be struck that allows the appointment of a prosecutor who is prohibited from following the evidence up the chain of command.Working Assets' CREDO Action has ginned up a petition to help the A.G. stick to his guns:
"Attorney General Holder, it is your duty to uphold the constitution and protect the rule of law. The evidence before you demands that you launch an investigation into possible crimes committed under the Bush administration and to prosecute if warranted. This investigation must not be limited to low-level foot soldiers, but should seek justice at the highest levels. Assign a prosecutor to investigate torture and do not rule out as targets architects of the Bush administration's torture program including former Vice President Dick Cheney and his legal adviser David Addington."You can sign the petition here.
See, also: Clamor grows over CIA secrets.
Follow up: International Justice Group Takes Aim at Bush Officials (Washington Independent 2009-11-17)
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