'Political people' at DOJ accused of interference

Thursday, March 22, 2007  

"Political people" at the Department of Justice interfered with the government's billion-dollar lawsuit against tobacco companies, the lawyer who was in charge of the case said.

Sharon Y. Eubanks said Bush administration appointees weakened her case, told witnesses what to say and rewrote her closing arguments. They also sought a reduction in potential penalties from $130 billion to $10 billion.

Eubanks identified the culprits as then-Associate Attorney General Robert D. McCallum, then-Assistant Attorney General Peter Keisler and one of Keisler's deputies. McCallum and Keisler also worked on the Cobell trust fund case at the appeals court level.

McCallum, who now serves as an ambassador, denied the claims. He said DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility found no merit in her accusations.

Get the Story:
Prosecutor Says Bush Appointees Interfered With Tobacco Case (The Washington Post 3/22)
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