US attorney for Minnesota under investigation
KARE 11By Scott Goldberg, KARE 11 News
September 19, 2007
Rachel Paulose, the U.S. attorney for Minnesota, is being investigated by a federal office that works to protect whistle blowers, according to a political blog and a source who spoke to KARE 11.
A source with knowledge of the investigation told KARE 11 the federal Office of the Special Counsel, an independent agency, is looking into allegations that Paulose carelessely handled classified documents, and then allegedly retaliated against the person who found the documents sitting out in the open.
News of the investigation broke Tuesday on a blog written by former Star Tribune reporter Eric Black.
Federal investigators want to know:
Did Minnesota's new U.S. attorney mishandle classified documents, by leaving them where others could see them? And did she threaten to fire assistant U.S. attorney John Marti, who later resigned, because he reported her behavior?
Black cites unnamed sources and also reports there are allegations Paulose made racist remarks about one employee - KARE 11 could not confirm the part of the investigation dealing with those remarks.
Questions about Paulose's management style and whether she was experienced enough to handle her job have swirled around her since her appointment last year. (Related: U.S. attorney defends self against 'wild conspiracy theories')
Critics decry her loyalty to President Bush and to her former boss, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
She replaced U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger, who left the office to take a job in private practice. After Heffelfinger stepped down, his name surfaced on a "hit list" of attorneys the Gonzales Justice Department had wanted removed for apparent political purposes.
Paulose, who has repeatedly declined requests for interviews about how she runs her office, released a statement saying is staying focused on doing her job, "which is what I have been appointed to do."
Her statement also said, "Since the matter is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time. I am confident the truth will be brought to light."
It is not clear how long the federal investigation will last.
Even if investigators find one or more of the allegations is true, ultimately, President Bush gets to decide whether or not Rachel Paulose should keep her job.
(Copyright 2007 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)
Last Updated: 9/19/2007 6:25:35 PM