During a week when Albert Gonzales was very busy dealing with the firing of the eight US Attorneys, he managed to carve out enough time to finally appoint permanentt chiefs for the Public Integrity Section and the Fraud section. There was no public announcement.
Hmmmm...
Now, why on earth would Gonzales not want a little positive press of finally filling two posts which have been vacant for more than a year. Surely he would want to showcase his managerial acumen last week. According to Justice Department spokesman, the delay was because of interviewing multiple candidates. "It's not something that can be done overnight".
More below...
No, I don't suppose all those interviews could be done over night, but a year? Especially considering they just moved up the deputy chief at the Public Integrity section and acting chief at the Fraud section. Why try to hide, or down play these two appointments? Could it have anything to do with what the responsibilities of these two sections?
Let's see...
Public Integrity Section.
From www.Legaltimes
But hidden amongst the many bad stories about the department last week was news that Justice has hired a new chief of its public integrity section. That section not only coordinates public corruption probes with U.S. attorney's offices in the field but is leading the investigation into lawmakers and public officials who had dealings with convicted lobbyist Jack
I have been wondering what has been happening in the Abramoff investigation. Last month's Legal Times reveals the continual turnover in the section chief position is a major factor affecting the investigation's progress. A "must read" in-depth review of the Justice Department's handling of the investigation. It includes information about the internal friction over the progress (or lack of thereof), between prosecutors from other parts of the Justice Department as well as investigative agents.
William M. Welch II will be the fifth head in the last four years. The exact number is somewhat confusing because of the number of Acting chiefs. Did a fast search for info on Mr. Bill but didn't come up with a lot. He was a Federal Prosecutor from Springfield, Mass for five years. He moved to Washington in August to become the Deputy Chief. He is 43 and the son of a retired Superior Court judge. Since he is going to be a very important figure we need keep an eye on, perhaps some one with more expertise might want to find more info than I could. I have a feeling we will be hearing more about him.
Fraud Section
Steve Tyrrell was named chief of the Fraud section. Very little info except for this interesting little tidbit. It seems that Steve's last Justice Department job was down in Miami.
but the true "Miami Mafia" is located at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. These former colleagues from the US Attorney's Office in Miami have carried that moniker for years and risen to top posts, prompting Abbe Lowell to joke at last week's NACDL white collar crime conference in Washington that the Miami Mafia has taken over the department. It may appear that way, as, among others, Ed Nucci is Acting Chief of the Public Integrity Section, Mike Mullaney is Acting Chief of the Counterterrorism Section, Paul Pelletier is Acting Chief of the Fraud Section, Barry Sabin is one of the Deputy Assistant Attorney Generals for the Criminal Division, Andrew Oosterbaan is Chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Ken Blanco is Chief of the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section, Steve Tyrrell did important work as Deputy Chief of the Counterterrorism Section, and Mary Butler is doing a great job in the Abramoff corruption probe
So it would seem that Steve does have a passing acquaintance with the Abramoff probe. (Notice how many of these former Miami colleagues are now in Washington.) I am assuming that the Fraud section would have at least some interest and crossover with the Public Integrity section.
Since I am deeply suspicious of anything coming out of the AG's office, I'm left to wonder...
Why make the appointments now?
Why Welch and Tyrell?
Are they "Good Bushies"?
I did a search for any diary on this topic but didn't see one. If this has already been covered, i'm happy to delete. I just didn't want this to slip beneath the radar.