An Interior Department lawyer faulted in an investigation for his "pressure and intimidation" tactics was involved in the "honors" program within the Office of the Solicitor.

Associate solicitor Robert Comer negotiated a deal with a Wyoming rancher over the objections of the U.S. Attorney, the Justice Department and career Bureau of Land Management staffers. He even misled his former boss, judicial nominee Bill Myers, about the settlement, and pressured a lower-level solicitor, according to Inspector General Earl F. Devaney.

At the time of the negotiations, Comer was involved in the "honors" program [More Info] that identifies and hires new attorneys who are recent law graduates. Comers discussed the program in a call with Myers, according to the inspector general.

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Judicial Nominee Cleared in BLM Case (The Washington Post 2/24)
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Relevant Documents:
Report of Investigation PI-NM-03-309-I (November 23, 2003)

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