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Comey Defends Fired Attorneys

Most were strong performers, former deputy AG tells House panel

By Colleen Barry, Newser Staff

Posted May 4, 2007 8:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Most of the U.S. attorneys axed en masse by the Justice Department last year weren't underperforming, former Deputy Attorney General James Comey told a House panel yesterday. Comey, who left Justice over a year before the firings, said he'd rated the attorneys' performance for Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson in 2005.

Six of the eight who were later fired got good grades. Comey said Sampson asked him for a list of the weakest attorneys; only one of the names he provided ended up on the chopping block. Republicans on the panel said the testimony was irrelevant, pointing to the gap between Comey's departure and the firings.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Former Deputy Attorney general Jim Comey, right, accompanied by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, gestures during a news conference at the Justice Department in Washington in this Aug. 1, 2002... (Associated Press)

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales replies to a question about the calls for him to resign, during a news conference in Oklahoma City, Tuesday, May 1, 2007. Earlier in the news conference, Gonzales announced... (Associated Press)

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Comey Defends Fired Attorneys