DOJ IG Takes Down Schlozman

[babylonsister]

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2009/01/doj_ig_takes_down_schlozman.php

DOJ IG Takes Down Schlozman


The long-awaited inspector general report on the politicization of the Bush DOJ Civil Rights Division has been released, and our old friend Bradley Schlozman is firmly in the cross-hairs:

The evidence in our investigation showed that Schlozman, first as a Deputy Assistant Attorney General and subsequently as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General, considered political and ideological affiliations in hiring career attorneys and in other personnel actions affecting career attorneys in the Civil Rights Division. In doing so, he violated federal law - the Civil Service Reform Act - and Department policy that prohibit discrimination in federal employment based on political and ideological affiliations, and committed misconduct. The evidence also showed that Division managers failed to exercise sufficient oversight to ensure that Schlozman did not engage in inappropriate hiring and personnel practices. Moreover, Schlozman made false statements about whether he considered political and ideological affiliations when he gave sworn testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee and in his written responses to supplemental questions from the Committee.

Schlozman is no longer employed by the Department and, therefore, is not subject to disciplinary action by the Department. We recommend, however, that, if criminal prosecution is declined these findings be considered if Schlozman seeks federal employment in the future. We believe that his violations of the merit system principles set forth in the Civil Service Reform Act, federal regulations, and Department policy, and his subsequent false statements to Congress render him unsuitable for federal service.

Interestingly, the report is dated July 2, 2008, but was only released today. I'm speculating here, but I suspect that's because the findings were referred to DOJ for possible prosecution of Schlozman. We're trying to nail down now whether that explains the delay in releasing the report - and whether that means DOJ has declined to prosecute Schlozman for lying to Congress.

--David Kurtz

[Botany]

1. The Schloz

[jjray7]

2. Thanks for posting

They suppressed this report to keep it out of the news during the election IMHO. IG reports get released prior to referral for criminal prosecution. This guy should be prosecuted. If they are going to indict Roger Clemens for lying to Congress about taking steroids, is not what Schlozman has done a more important governmental crime? The professional integrity of the operating divisions of the Department of Justice (especially Civil Rights) is paramount to maintaining our democracy.

[malaise]

3. True but it would be better if he is indicted after

January 20th. Otherwise Bush would have pardoned him.

[gratuitous]

4. He's no longer in the DOJ

So he can't be disciplined, and apparently prosecution for violation of federal crimes is discretionary if you're a well-connected white guy. But oh boy! If Schlozman ever again applies for a job with the Department of Justice, then boy, we're gonna have some tough questions for him.

I think Brad's suffered enough.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Article from local paper:

http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/16462