Legal Commentary

#2 at Office of Special Counsel Resigns

By Jeralyn

James Byrne, #2 at the Office of Special Counsel, has resigned, claiming in his letter of resignation that his boss, Scott Bloch, is just carrying water for his political agenda.

James Byrne, second in command at the embattled Office of Special Counsel, resigned his post effective today after leaving his boss, Scott J. Bloch, a stinging letter suggesting that Bloch's "political agendas and personal vendettas" were preventing the agency from fulfilling its mission.

The two-paragraph letter, obtained by The Times, was sent to Bloch last week at a time when the Bush appointee faces a Justice Department inquiry that includes allegations of illegally erasing information on his government computer.

Byrne led the task force investigating the politicization of the Justice Department and other Executive Branch agencies under Bush. With Bloch in control, it's even more unlikely there will be any accountability. [More...]

As the executive director of Project on Government Oversight says:

"It is an untenable situation that witnesses continue to be subjected to the supervision of Mr. Bloch while they are being called upon to provide evidence to the Grand Jury concerning his wrongdoing."

The Office of Special Counsel oversees protections for whistleblowers. In May, 2008, the FBI executed search warrants on Bloch's home and office.

Bloch remains under investigation.

Bloch is under federal investigation, accused of destroying evidence potentially showing he retaliated against his own staff.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on July 17, 2008 (boomark / email).