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Dems Slam Ashcroft for 'Backroom' $52M Contract

Ex-AG denies charges in House hearing

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 11, 2008 4:22 PM CDT

(Newser) – John Ashcroft angrily denied congressional Democrats' allegations today that a lucrative no-bid contract the Justice Department awarded him represents a conflict of interest, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Democrats characterized the contract as a “backroom sweetheart deal” because Ashcroft's ex-subordinates selected his firm to monitor a medical supply company under investigation for providing kickbacks. The deal could be worth up to $52 million.

“Mr. Ashcroft was selected with no public notice and no bidding,” Rep. Linda Sanchez said at a Judiciary Committee hearing, questioning the circumstances of a “former employee hiring the former boss for a very lucrative contract.” Ashcroft remained adamant. “There is not a conflict, there is not an appearance of a conflict,” he said, noting that his fees were paid by the company, not by taxpayers.

Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, talks to attorney Timothy Dickinson on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, prior to testifying before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing to discuss corporate settlement agreements.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, left, talks to attorney Timothy Dickinson on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, prior to testifying before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing...   (Associated Press)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing to discuss corporate settlement agreements.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing to discuss corporate settlement agreements. (AP Photo/Dennis...   (Associated Press)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing to discuss corporate settlement agreements.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Former Attorney General John Ashcroft testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 11, 2008, before a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing to discuss corporate settlement agreements. (AP Photo/Dennis...   (Associated Press)
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft  talks at a news conference in Newark, N.J., in this Sept. 27, 2007 file photo. Ashcroft's law firm is set to collect more than $52 million to help the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey monitor leading manufacturers of knee and...
Former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft talks at a news conference in Newark, N.J., in this Sept. 27, 2007 file photo. Ashcroft's law firm is set to collect more than $52 million to help the U.S....   (Associated Press)
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