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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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At Justice, Chertoff Played Party Politics

AG frontrunner prosecuted Hillary Clinton fundraiser

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(Newser) – Michael Chertoff, a frontrunner to replace Alberto Gonzales, has impressive judicial credentials, but the LA Times reports that he also has a background tinged with partisan politics. While head of the Justice Department's criminal division, the current Homeland Security secretary met with conservative activists and brought controversial charges against an associate of Hillary Clinton.

In 2001, Chertoff met with members of the conservative group Judicial Watch, who urged him to pursue criminal charges against Clinton over the new senator's fundraising techniques. Chertoff's division of the Justice Department eventually prosecuted an associate who he was later acquitted; he has said, "They couldn't get Hillary Clinton, so they came after me."

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations for the U. S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, in Washington Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner W. Ralph Basham listens at left. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, right, speaks during a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations for the U. S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, in Washington Thursday,...   (Associated Press)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, right, during a press briefing in this, Aug. 10, 2006, file photo in Washington. Gonzales, under fire from congressional Democrats, has resigned, senior Bush administration officials said Monday, Aug. 27, 2007. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, files)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, left, and Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, right, during a press briefing in this, Aug. 10, 2006, file photo in Washington. Gonzales, under fire from...   (Associated Press)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff speaks in San Pedro, Calif., in this July 20, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, FILE)
Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff speaks in San Pedro, Calif., in this July 20, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, FILE)   (Associated Press)
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