The story that Alberto Gonzales hoped would die continues to live on, sprouting new legs with Paul McNulty's resignation. Without mentioning the enduring crisis at the Justice Department, the Deputy U.S. Attorney cited family reasons for following Goodling and Sampson out the door. With the exception of die-hard Bush fans, no one is going to believe this had nothing to do with the scandal.
From the AP:
McNulty, who has served 18 months as the Justice Department's second-in-command, announced his plans at a closed-door meeting of U.S. attorneys in San Antonio. He told them he would remain at the department until late summer or until the Senate approves a successor, aides said.
He also sent a one-page letter of resignation to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose own job has been put in jeopardy by the firings and their aftermath.
"The financial realities of college-age children and two decades of public service lead me to a long overdue transition in my career," McNulty said in the letter, which did not mention the firings controversy.
Unfortunately for Gonzales, some aides at Justice admitted that family had nothing to do with McNulty's departure. The fact that he mentioned one of the fired attorneys left to make space for one of Karl Rove's friends. Paul also oversaw the 93 U.S. Attorneys and had a lot to do with the firing process.
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