The lawyer who in 2002 represented John Walker Lindh, an American who pleaded guilty to working with the Taliban in Afghanistan, has been named new acting associate attorney general, the third highest ranking position in the Department of Justice. The Washington Post reports that Tony West, who has donated thousands to Democratic Party candidates and helped raise a record $65 million as California co-chairman for the 2008 Obama campaign, will take over the new role in two weeks where he will oversee a broad range of issues including civil rights, the environment and natural resources, tax and civil litigation.
Considering West’s previous clients, there has been understandable backlash to the hire. The Judicial Watch blog Corruption Chronicles wrote Thursday:
“In a statement announcing the promotion this week, Attorney General Eric Holder says West has served the department with ‘professionalism, integrity and dedication.’ Holder also mentions West’s work before coming to the DOJ a few years ago, including a stint as a Special Assistant Attorney General in California and a lengthier career at a large San Francisco law firm.
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3 comments:
This is just another step in the most corrupt administration in the history of the USA.
Unless you have something in his record showing his credentials are below other potential candidates, this is a nonstory. Sounds like if he assigned the extremely high profile Lindh case, he was probably considered a top notch guy at DOJ already in 02'
Better to promote him than having him represent terrorists. It's just easier that way.
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