HuffPo says Corzine, Lautenberg sold out Abramoff investigation

[quaoar]

According to this blog at HuffPo, the lead prosecutor in the Abramoff case being named to a federal judgeship in New Jersey was part of a deal between Bush and New Jersey's two senators who wanted a magistrate also named to a judgeship.

I have no idea if this is true. I'm posting it FYI.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/martin-garbus/proof-that-bushs-removal_b_14818.html

It came about this way. The Democrats wanted Magistrate Federal Judge Susan Wingenton to be a federal judge. The Bush Administration said no.

We also know that in 2002 Bush got rid of a prosecutor. U.S. Attorney Black, who was about to indict Abramoff in Guam. That indictment also related to Abramoff's purchasing of influence. It's the modus operandi of this administration. Bush got rid of him, put in his own man, and the Abramoff prosecution ended.

This year the Bush Administration agreed to give the Democrats who they wanted in exchange for the Democrats agreeing to remove the Abramoff prosecutor. Wingenton got her appointment; the Democrats agreed to the removal of Noel Hillman, and he accepted a judgeship.

The approval of the two Democratic Senators from New Jersey was necessary for Hillman's appointment. Corzine gave that quiet approval just before he became governor. Frank Lautenberg on his website issued a press release, today announcing both the Wingenton and Hillman appointments, under the title "President Nominates Federal Judges for New Jersey."

[AX10]

1. Can you confirm this with another source?

Also, why would two Dem Senators do this?

[quaoar]

3. I can't confirm anything

I just read this at Huffington Post. Judge for yourself.

I can only speculate that -- assuming it is true -- that this magistrate is being pushed for the job by other New Jersey Democrats.

[spindrifter]

5. Lautenberg's website is confirmation of

the Hillman appointment. I want to see the legal pedigrees of both appointees, though.

[quaoar]

7. Well, being a magistrate

is sometimes considered a stepping stone to a federal judgeship. Magistrates are appointed by the local federal judges for set terms. They generally handle a lot of procedural matters and cases the judges don't want to bother with, like prison lawsuits.

[spindrifter]

2. This is very big news!

We have to keep this story alive through the SOTOS hubbub. But we also need to do some more background checking as to N. Hillman. Just because you are an AUSA who got the Abramoff case does not mean you are qualified as a federal judge. Of course, if there is a "deal" we can expect the Judiciary Committee will just pass him without putting him through the normal paces.
Still, keeping two Abramoff prosecutors away from the goods is mega-weird.

[WhiteTara]

6. not weird just close to * n/t

[quaoar]

8. The guy who wrote the blog entry

is Martin Garbus. His bio says he is a rather distinguished trial attorney.

[quaoar]

9. Bump

[ellenfl]

4. the abramoff prosecutor was put up a year ago for a judgeship.

dubya took advantage of this situation. it's what he does.

ellen fl

[Rose Siding]

10. That's how I've heard it told, too

If the dems had a chance to suggest someone for nomination a year ago, and if they chose Hillman, that just means Hillman is competant and respected -not that the dems had some ulterior, Abramoff-investigation-related motive.

[quaoar]

12. The post claims

that the NJ Dems wanted the magistrate -- not Hillman -- but Bush refused, so the deal was to appoint both of them.

[blm]

17. That's definitely what the timeline indicates, too. Garbus's proof is thin

to nonexistent.

[Cocoa]

11. very thin story

how does he know about this deal? He doesn't even cite "anonymous sources" he just states that there was a deal.

[orleans]

13. i wish someone would investigate this

(maybe some GOOD investigative reporter. remember them?)

[The Whiskey Priest]

14. Corzine and Lautenberg recommended two years ago

Now, Bush pulls a Nixon

[quaoar]

16. If Rove had been around in 1973

Nixon would have "promoted" Archibald Cox.

[Wilms]

15. kick