High Quality
Open the downloaded document, and select print from the file menu (PDF reader required).
u.s.DepartmentofJusticeOfficeofLegislativeAffairs
.--------.-----
.-nun'
OfficeoftheAssistantAttorneyGeneral
Washingto/!.D.C:!1J530
May25,2010
TheHonorableJohnConyers,Jr.ChainnanCommitteeontheJudiciaryU.S.HouseofRepresentativesWashington,D.C.20515
DearMr.Chainnan:Thisrespondstoyourletter,datedApril17,2008,requestingthattheOfficeoftheInspectorGeneralandtheOfficeofProfessionalResponsibility(OPR)openaninvestigationofallegationsof"selective,politically-motivatedprosecutions"bytheDeparlmenlofJusticeinseveralcriminalprosecutions,includingtheGeorgiaThompsonmatter.AnidenticalresponseisbeingsenttotheotherMemberswhojoinedinyourlettertous.OnMay5,2008,OPRinfonnedyouthatithadapendinginvestigationinvolvingallegationsofselectiveprosecutionrelatingtotheprosecutionofMs.ThompsonintheEasternDistrictofWisconsin.OPRhascompleteditsinvestigationintoallegationsthattheprosecutionofMs.Thompsonbythen-fonnerUnitedStatesAttorneyStevenBiskupicwasbroughtforimproperpartisanpoliticalreasons.WhileourpublicdisclosureoftheinfonnationsetforthbelowmightotherwisebeprohibitedbythePrivacyAct,weareprovidingittotheCommitteeinresponsetoyouroversightrequestandconsistentwith5U.S.c.552a(b)(9).TheinvestigationwasinitiatedfollowingthereversalofMs.Thompson'sconvictionbytheUnitedStatesCourtofAppealsfortheSeventhCircuitonApril20,2007,in
UnitedStates
v.
Thompson,
484F.3d877(7thCir.2007).AlthoughtheCourtofAppealsdidnotrefertopossiblepartisanpoliticalmotivesineitheritsremarksatoralargument(duringwhichajudgesaidthegovernment'sevidencewas"beyondthin")orinitswrittenopinionholdingthatnocrimehadbeenproven,therewaspublicspeculationthatMs.Thompsonhadbeenprosecutedforimproperpartisanpoliticalreasons.InacommitteereportattachedtoyourlettertoOPR,younotethatthenUnitedStatesAttorneyBiskupic'snamehadappearedonDepartmentofficialKyleSampson'slistof"weak"UnitedStatesAttorneysinMarch2005,butwaslaterremovedfromthelist.SomeUnitedStatesAttorneysonthelistswerelatertoldtoresign,anditwasspeculatedthatMr.Biskupic'sprosecutionofMs.Thompsoncausedhisnametoberemovedfromthelist,thusavoidinghisremovalasUnitedStatesAttorney.
Add a Comment