WP: Justice Official 'Horrified' Phone Call Was Seen as Threat (Elston)

[maddezmom]

By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 12, 2007; Page A03

Until last Tuesday, Michael J. Elston was the happily anonymous chief of staff to Deputy Attorney General Paul J. McNulty.

But then a former U.S. attorney told Congress that Elston had warned him and other fired prosecutors to stay quiet or risk retaliation from the Justice Department.

The testimony from former U.S. attorney Bud Cummins of Little Rock was one of a string of damning accounts to emerge from the firings of eight federal prosecutors. The firings have prompted outrage in Congress and moves to limit the attorney general's power to appoint replacements.

Elston said in an interview that he is "horrified" by the accusation, portraying it as an unfortunate misunderstanding fueled by rising tensions over the firings.

"By no means did I have any message in mind," Elston said. "I think he misinterpreted what I was saying, and I'm very sorry that occurred."

more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/11/AR2007031101042.html

yeah, I'm sure he's horrified :eyes: at getting caught

[Kagemusha]

1. He misinterpreted that the AG might publicly taint his reputation?

Gee, that's too bad, taking that advisory the wrong way. How could anyone possibly mistake that for a threat.

[aquart]

2. Awwww, poor feller. He forgot what happened in November.

[Bonobo]

3. "I just meant he should stay quiet in LIBRARIES! Jeez!"

[whistle]

4. The Justice Department seems to have an army of thugs available

...to them to enforce their will. That is much more expedient than following the law, right Mr. Alberto Gonzales? :sarcasm:

[glitch]

5. Creep. nt

[Erika]

6. W's America

Be rabid right wing or you will be fired.

Get rid of Gonzales.

[1932]

7. Yeah. It was a threat. He's just horrified that people know he threatened the prosecutors.

[grasswire]

8. ah, so he works for McNulty

Well, alrighty then. Never forget that McNulty was the fixer in Florida 2000. Then he served as the coach for John Ashcroft's confirmation. Then he was appointed to head the infamous rocket docket as US Attorney in Alexandria. Then he was appointed Deputy Attorney General just about the time we started hearing about these firings.

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:T2WhygxXVG61lM:

Gee. The DoJ won't even let you link to his pic.

[maddezmom]

9. since Sampson resigned maybe he can be next?