Friday news dump: Mukasey security detail cost $10,000 a *day* for over seven years!

[KamaAina]

Yowza!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070928/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/mukasey_security

WASHINGTON - Protecting former federal judge Michael Mukasey cost taxpayers an estimated $28 million over more than seven years — or $10,000 a day — even as Justice Department agencies argued about how much of a threat he faced.

Now nominated to become the nation's 81st attorney general, Mukasey was given U.S. Marshals bodyguards while presiding over a high-profile terror trial in the early 1990s, when he served as a U.S. District Court judge in Manhattan. He kept the protections, code-named "Eagle Detail," until 2005 — nine years after the trial ended.

The detail was withdrawn shortly after deputy marshals protecting Mukasey and U.S. District Judge Kevin T. Duffy filed a grievance accusing the two jurists and their wives of assigning them valet-like chores.

And the kicker:

The White House form also indicates Mukasey's clients at the law firm included Sotheby's, the Yale-New Haven Hospital board of directors and Linda Lay, the widow of former Enron Chairman Kenneth Lay. White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said Mukasey mediated a dispute between Mrs. Lay and her husband's estate.

"valet-like chores", Mrs. Kenny Boy -- yup, sounds like the perfect repuke poster boy to me. :puke:

[Kagemusha]

1. Can we try not to laugh about security for judges please?

I can think of a lot of ways money is wasted in America, and most are worse than this. Most judges have to get by with nothing for security, after all. Some even get murdered.

[KamaAina]

2. Very well, this ought to be good for a few yuks

A December 2004 invoice for Mukasey's detail lists $58.30 worth of Lysol, $101.38 worth of toilet paper, and $119.10 worth of hand soap. A year earlier, the detail proposed buying $1,429.95 worth of mountain bikes and equipment to keep up with Mukasey when he jogged.

Mukasey also charged the government rent for letting the deputies live at his second home in New York's Hamptons, the records show. The marshals signed a lease with Mukasey in 2002 agreeing to pay $1,667 a month for eight months.

[Kagemusha]

3. No, it's not funny at all.

Sorry.

[ellisonz]

4. Nothing to see here...move along.

[struggle4progress]

5. "Emptying the trash, carrying groceries and toting golf clubs were among duties allegedly assigned

Emptying the trash, carrying groceries and toting golf clubs were among duties allegedly assigned to U.S. marshals protecting two federal judges in New York over the last decade - one of whom has been nominated to be the next U.S. attorney general.

The valet-like chores were outlined in a complaint two years ago against Michael B. Mukasey, another judge and their wives by deputy marshals assigned to the judges' security details.

The complaint says marshals weren't allowed to flush the toilet when working on the night shift - even though the U.S. Marshals Service "pays rent for the right to use this toilet." ...

If confirmed as the nation's 81st attorney general, Mukasey would oversee the U.S. Marshals Service ...

Mukasey security detail filed complaint
Marshals assigned to A.G. nominee allegedly told to do menial tasks
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20977342/

[originalpckelly]

6. Huh? Are you kidding me? The guy presided over a serious...

and threatening trial, we're lucky they could find anyone to do it willingly, let alone that we'd have to pay for his security. I think that's not that much, when he risked his life for our country (even with the security.)

[spanone]

7. they're thick as thieves

i trust none of these shits associated with the w one.