Could Pete Domenici Be The Next Ted Stevens

As Alaska and much of the nation is well aware of, ex-Sen. Ted Stevens is now a convicted felon, thanks to his undisclosed bribes from the oil industry. Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) isn't as well known outside his homestate, but that could soon change if a Federal Grand Jury's probe of him turns out to find what many observers suspect he may be guilty of in association with the politically-motivated firings of several U.S. Attorneys.

From TPM Muckraker:

The federal grand jury is investigating whether Domenici and other political figures attempted to improperly press Iglesias to bring a criminal prosecution against New Mexico Democrats just prior to the 2006 congressional midterm elections, according to legal sources close to the investigation and private attorneys representing officials who prosecutors want to question. Investigators appear to be scrutinizing Iglesias' firing in the context of whether he was fired in retaliation because Domenici and others believed that he would not manipulate the timing of prosecutions to help Republicans.

Previously, Domenici was severely criticized by two internal Justice Department watchdog offices, the Department's Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), for refusing to cooperate with their earlier probe of the firings of the U.S. attorneys. In part because of their frustration that Domenici and his chief of staff, Steve Bell, as well as several senior White House officials, would not cooperate with them, the Inspector General and OPR sought that a criminal prosecutor take over their probe. It is unclear whether Domenici will now cooperate with the criminal probe. Domenici's attorney, Lee Blalack, in an interview, declined to say what Domenici will do when he is contacted by investigators.

Domenici will most likely fight tooth and nail to avoid the clutches of the recently redeemed Justice Department. Pete wanted nothing to do with the initial report and by the way Iglesias' testimony went, it is likely because he doesn't want to confront the consequences of his actions. Everything was about partisan gain and combating Democrats with any and all means possible, even if it was illegal. The rule of law wasn't respected during the Bush years, so Domenici probably felt secure in what he was doing. Unfortunately for him, justice has a funny way of catching up with you, just ask Ted Stevens.