Constitutional Law

DoJ To Inquire Into Former A.G. Aschroft's Deal With NJ US Attorney

The hiring of former Attorney General John Ashcroft's consulting firm by a New Jersey U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie to monitor a large corporation's compliance with an out-of-court settlement has prompted a DoJ inquiry, the Washington Post reports. Ashcroft's firm would be paid $750,000 each month, plus expenses expected to total between $150,000 to $250,000 per month.

United States Attorney Christopher J. Christie, directed similar monitoring contracts last year to two other former Justice Department colleagues from the Bush administration, as well as to a former . . .  state attorney general in New Jersey. . . .

[A]ides to Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey were concerned about the appearance of favoritism. . . .

In the Bush administration, federal prosecutors have increasingly relied on out-of-court settlements with large corporations in criminal investigations that in the past might have resulted in indictments and trials. The settlements often call for outside lawyers to be retained by the companies to monitor the agreements. The contracts call for the lawyers to monitor the company’s compliance with the settlements through financial audits and other types of internal investigations.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on January 10, 2008 (boomark / email).