Carol Lam was asked to resign, after successfully investigating and prosecuting Duke Cunningham, as well as his connection to Jack Abramoff. The reason for her removal comes in a statement made to the North County Times:
Lam, a Bush appointee who took the helm in 2002, was targeted because of job performance issues – in particular that she failed to make smuggling and gun cases a top priority, said the official, who declined to be identified because Lam has yet to step down.
Her dismissal comes in the midst of her "massive investigation of public corruption that has already lead to high officials in the Central Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon, the Congress, and perhaps even the White House." Since 1989, Lam's been a specialist in white collar crime and major fraud.
And there is this from the LA Times ...
Federal prosecutors in San Diego have subpoenaed documents from three House committees as part of an investigation into special-interest earmarks in spending bills.
The demand ratchets up an investigation by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego into contracts awarded by the Defense Department and other agencies. The probe stems from the bribery case against Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Rancho Santa Fe), who pleaded guilty and resigned in 2005.
California: Kevin Ryan
As yet the reasons for Ryan's sudden departure remain unclear. He is noted as saying (Northwest News Channel 8) he reached a "mutually agreeable decision with Washington" to step down.
As Burrows continues, "Still my guess is that Ryan's departure means the odds of criminal charges against Apple or Steve Jobs got a bit longer today." Like Lam, Ryan has a long history of specializing in white collar crime and fraud. According to McClatchy's Washington Bureau's article, Ryan was also overseeing high-profile investigations into steroids use by major league baseball players.
Nevada: Daniel G. Bogden (R)
Bogden was either fired or asked to resign.
It was unclear whether Bogden was fired or asked to resign and for what reason. Exactly when it all happened also was unknown Sunday. Repeated attempts to contact Bogden and his office were unsuccessful. The Review-Journal's phone calls to his spokeswoman
On November 7, 2006 Las Vegas EyeWitness News reported on federal investigation into alleged fraud by prominent Las Vegas doctors and lawyers.
Just last year, Bodgen's office won corruption convictions against two Clark County, Nevada Commissioners and who may be "looking into campaign law violations by at least one member of the state's Congressional delegation."
New Mexico: David C. Iglesias (R)
Iglesias was also asked to resign. "I asked (why) and wasn't given any answers," Iglesias told the Union-Tribune. "I ultimately am OK with that. We all take these jobs knowing we serve at the pleasure of the president."
So, who is replacing Iglesias? In a statement, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici said,
Appointments that are either interim or acting:
ARIZONA - District Court 9th circuit - Daniel G. Knauss Interim - Appointed January 31st, 2007 - Mr. Knauss will serve on an interim basis until a replacement is nominated and approved. Republican Senators Kyl and McCain had recommended Diane Humetewa, but was not nominated for that position, and Mr. Knauss was appointed Interim U.S. Attorney
CALIFORNIA, CENTRAL - District Court 9th circuit - George S. CardonaActing - appointed November 20th, 2006.
"I became acting U.S. attorney under the Vacancy Reform Act when no one else was appointed. The act says the chief assistant is to serve as acting if the U.S. attorney position is vacant," Cardona said.
Replaces - Debra Wong Yang who resigned October 21st, 2006 [Feinstein is currently probing the resignation of Yang in connection to the USA firing scandal].
WASHINGTON, WESTERN - District Court 9th circuit - Jeffrey C. Sullivan Interim January 26th, 2007. Sullivan will serve in the post until a successor to John McKay is nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.Replaces - John McKay who announced his resignation in December 2006 - Gonzales 7
"Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., has been chosen to help select candidates to succeed McKay permanently."
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