No Charges in 2006 US Attorney Firing Scandal

The U.S. Justice Department has decided not to bring charges in the controversial 2006 firings of federal prosecutors – including David Iglesias of New Mexico, according to a letter sent to Congress today.

“Evidence did not demonstrate that any prosecutable criminal offense was committed with regard to the removal of David Iglesias,” the Justice Department said in a letter to Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. “The investigative team also determined that the evidence did not warrant expanding the scope of the investigation beyond the removal of Iglesias.”

To read the entire letter click here.

The controversy rocked Washington and eventually led to the resignation of then-U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Former Sen. Pete Domenici and former Rep. Heather Wilson both figured heavily in the saga as Iglesias accused them of improperly pressuring him to bring indictments in an Albuquerque courthouse construction scandal. Iglesias alleged he felt “pressured” by both Wilson and Domenici to bring indictments before the 2006 elections. Domenici and Wilson denied any wrongdoing but admitted calling Iglesias.

The Senate ethics committee in 2008 issued a qualified admonition of Domenici in connection with his call. The House ethics committee never took action against Wilson. Now it appears they are both in the legal clear.

Domenici, in a statement provided to the Journal, said the decision relieved him.

“The Justice Department has now confirmed what I have always said and believed–I never attempted to interfere with any government investigation,” he said. “I am glad that this matter has concluded.”