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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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US Attorney Scandal Widens

Justice Dept. considered firing 26; documents contradict Gonzales' testimony

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(Newser) – The Justice Department considered firing at least 26 US attorneys, the Washington Post reports, including 13 who still have their jobs. Alberto Gonzales' office compiled the previously undisclosed lists, which appear to indicate that the AG targeted far more prosecutors than he has acknowledged. He has testified that the purge effort was limited to the eight who were ultimately fired.

A DoJ spokesman refused to confirm the names, which total more than one-quarter of the 93 US attorneys. He pointed to Gonzales' then chief of staff, saying the lists "reflect Kyle Sampson's thoughts." Some current US attorneys had no idea they were under scrutiny. "Really? I wasn't aware of that," said Paula Silsby of Maine.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales former Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 29, 2007, before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Justice Department firings of U.S. Attorneys. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales former Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson prepares to testify on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 29, 2007, before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the Justice...   (Associated Press)
US President George W. Bush (L) and US Attorney General Alberto...
US President George W. Bush (L) and US Attorney General Alberto...   (Getty Images)
US President George W. Bush (L) speaks with US Attorney General...
US President George W. Bush (L) speaks with US Attorney General...   (Getty Images)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks at a news maker event, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks at a news maker event, Tuesday, May 15, 2007, at the National Press Club in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)   (Associated Press)
Former Justice Department official D. Kyle Sampson testifies while members of his counsel confer, background, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the Justice Department firings of U.S. Attorneys on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, March 29, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Former Justice Department official D. Kyle Sampson testifies while members of his counsel confer, background, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about the Justice Department firings of U.S. Attorneys...   (Associated Press)
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