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No Charges for Biased Justice Officials: Mukasey

Former employees have already faced internal consequences, AG says

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 12, 2008 2:33 PM CDT

(Newser) – Michael Mukasey said today the ex-Justice Department employees who discriminated against candidates in hiring for political reasons will not face criminal charges, the New York Times reports. Prosecution would be inappropriate, the AG said, because the biased hiring practices violated federal civil service law, not criminal law.

“Not every wrong, or even every violation of the law, is a crime,” he said, adding that the aides at the center of the scandal escaped unscathed. "The officials most directly implicated in the misconduct left the department to the accompaniment of substantial negative publicity.” The AG rejected the idea of reassigning lawyers rejected by the biased employees, or firing those who benefited: “Two wrongs do not make a right,” he said.

U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, left, faces reporters as Michael Sullivan, U.S. attorney general for Massachusetts, right, looks on during a news conference, in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.
U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, left, faces reporters as Michael Sullivan, U.S. attorney general for Massachusetts, right, looks on during a news conference, in Boston, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008.   (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Attorney General Michael Mukasey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 23, 2008, before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight at the Justice Department.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 23, 2008, before the House Judiciary Committee hearing on oversight at the Justice Department.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General Michael Mukasey is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 9, 2008, prior to testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Attorney General Michael Mukasey is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 9, 2008, prior to testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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