Attorney General Michael Mukasey vowed yesterday in San Francisco to crack down on crooked politicians and public officials, reports the Associated Press. He dismissed critics who accuse the Justice Department of letting partisan loyalties interfere with corruption cases. The comments came after prosecutors charged Puerto Rico’s Democratic-leaning governor in a campaign finance probe that began more than two years ago. Mukasey has called curbing public corruption one of his top priorities.
The Justice Department has brought numerous corruption cases over the last several years targeting Democrats and Republicans alike. Mukasey cited charges brought against two former Republican congressmen: Randy “Duke” Cunningham of California and Bob Ney of Ohio. Earlier yesterday Mukasey’s prosecutors charged Puerto Rico Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila with 19 counts in a campaign finance probe. Twelve others associated with the Popular Democratic Party also were indicted.
Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-03-27-mukasey_N.htm