U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey said the Department of Justice won't file charges against former officials who broke the law by basing hiring decisions on illegal factors.

Two investigations determined that aides to former attorney general Alberto Gonzales hired and assigned people based on political or ideological leanings. One advocate for Indian women was prevented from working on Indian issues due to her perceived sexual orientation.

“Where there is enough evidence to charge someone with a crime, we vigorously prosecute,” Mukasey said in a speech to the American Bar Association. “But not every wrong, or even every violation of the law, is a crime.”

Mukasey said the former officials have received some form of punishment for their "misconduct" -- in the form of "substantial negative publicity."

Get the Story:
Mukasey Won’t Pursue Charges in Hiring Inquiry (The New York Times 8/13)
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Justice Dept. Issues a Callback (The Washington Post 8/13)
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DOJ Report:
An Investigation of Allegations of Politicized Hiring by Monica Goodling and Other Staff in the Office of the Attorney General (July 28, 2008)

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