Probe sought into Indian voting and Heffelfinger

Friday, June 1, 2007  

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) wants the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate why former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger was targeted by the Bush administration.

Klobuchar cited a Los Angeles Times story that indicated Heffelfinger was targeted for supporting Indian voting rights. The story said Department of Justice political appointees in Washington, D.C., halted an inquiry into the issue.

One of the appointees -- Bradley Schlozman -- is set to testify next Tuesday. Klobuchar wants the committee to ask about “his efforts to effectively quash the investigation into possible voter discrimination against Native Americans; and (ii) what role, if any, Tom Heffelfinger's efforts to protect the voting rights of Minnesota's Native American communities placed him on the Department's now-infamous list for termination.”

Heffelfinger resigned in February 2006 of his own accord but was unaware that he was being considered for removal. A former DOJ aide testified that political appointees were concerned he was spending "too much time" on Indian issues.

Get the Story:
Klobuchar seeks answers whether Justice Dept. targeted Heffelfinger (AP 6/1)
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Transcripts:
Goodling Testifies Before The House Judiciary Committee | David Iglesias on U.S. Attorney Firings, Goodling Testimony

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