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December 4, 2008 4:17:29 PM CST

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Dems Slam Ashcroft for 'Backroom' $52M Contract

Posted Mar 11, 08 4:22 PM CDT in Politics,  US 

(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.

Sources St. Louis Post-Dispatch, New York Times

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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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Department of Justice • Attorney General • lobbyists • John Ashcroft • House Judiciary Committee • conflict of interest • corporate monitoring


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