Ashcroft to Testify on Monitor Contracts

TRENTON, N.J. — Former Attorney General John Ashcroft has agreed to appear at a federal hearing looking into no-bid contracts he and others received to monitor out-of-court corporate settlements.

A House Judiciary Committee subcommittee announced the agreement with Ashcroft in Washington, D.C., on Monday, the day before the committee was to consider authorizing its chairman to issue him a subpoena.

The committee hearing was hastily postponed after Ashcroft said he would voluntarily testify.

The former attorney general is considered a key witness in the inquiry into lucrative federal monitoring contracts awarded by federal prosecutors to hand-picked monitors to oversee deferred prosecutions.

The House hearing was prompted, in part, by complaints from two New Jersey congressmen after Christopher Christie, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, awarded a contract said to be worth $27 million or more to Ashcroft to monitor a medical device maker that had entered a deferred prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors.

Such agreements have been used increasingly by the Justice Department in recent years.

The House hearing is among several inquiries now under way in nation's capital regarding the standards for creating monitorships and selecting monitors.

Christie, who has defended the practice as a method to correct corporate misbehavior while preserving jobs, was once Ashcroft's subordinate. Christie apparently will not have to testify.

Judiciary Committee spokeswoman Melanie Roussell said the Justice Department would send a U.S. attorney from Georgia to testify rather than Christie.

Christie did not return after-hours messages seeking comment.

Christie appointed Ashcroft in September as monitor for Zimmer Holdings Inc., of Warsaw, Ind., one of five makers of replacement hips and knees that agreed to pay $310 million and accept federal monitors to settle concerns over doctor kickbacks.

Ashcroft's Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm, The Ashcroft Group LLC, stands to make from $27 million to $52 million over 18 months, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Monitorships are being investigated by the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, an agency spokesman has said.

Comments

[BPCentrisAmerican]

Another Bush bible thumping crony, why am I not surprised it seems like the more religious they are, the bigger crooks they are. This is same moron who covered statues at DOJ because a naked boob offended is religious sensibilities, I guess no bid contacts not so much.

[Amishguy]

Whenever this man's name comes up in the news I feel its my duty to put things in perspective by reminding folks of this fact:

John Ashcroft lost an election to a dead man, then Bush hired him.

[rbspickles]

And yet another teaser morsel brought to you by Dewey, Cheatem and Howe.

[jcorrington]

I always wondered when all that Gonzales business showing up in Asscrofts hospital room, why didnt Asscroft surface and deny or validate the scene. Now I know.


del 8300
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[helonias]

Perhaps he's needs to be tittyboarded to tell the truth.

[helonias]

But how come he's so scared of titties?

[reactionrynihilist]

We need a Truman Commission to investigate all of the no-bid contracts of the treasonous companies that put love of money above love for their country. Their puppets in office are so hasty to call someone a traitor for speaking out so that the word doesn't mean anything and to hide their own misdeeds.

[darthmaul]

It's a chicken and egg thing. The treasonous companies love their country, because they love all the money their making from it.

[tbone99]

Yeah, that definitely needs to be addressed in the next debate.

[Kungfublood]

He should be on trial for his complicity in the 911 bombings and never be allowed to walk the streets with his betters.

[sufi66]

As a former Senator, he will be treated with kid's gloves. Expect nothing from these hearings. The people asking the "questions" need too many favors from their "friends" to rock the boat. Ashcroft is laughing all the way to the bank.

Vote Nader or expect more of the same nonsense from our "leaders."

[Stretchumall]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIO-tCPSfHA


Got Rope?

[1differentdrummer]

Isn't there even one hones Bushite?

[tbone99]

And the more Christain, the more corrupt.Ashcroft was known for mandating prayer sessions with his staff before the beginning of their workday and being morally offended by nude marble.

Maybe prayer does work- obviously, untold riches can be yours if you hang out with "compassionate conservatives."

Too bad their compassion is limited to each other.

[dax49]

are there no ethics left in this country? americans are crumbling under the weight of this administration, and no-one will step up to stop it

[DMSmith]

I don't need any investigation when it's clear that Ashcroft has been given 27 to 52 MILLION dollars from the Bush administration.

Obscene!! When will these guys be locked in prison??

WHEN??!

[TXfemmom]

I hate this handling out of responsibilities, to private enterprises, which are clearly those of the government. Then, these enterprises, ala KBR end up costing us several times over what it would cost to have enough, trained, loyal, government employees who would do it for far less, if they could get around the Bush thugs.

[Rosanneofpgh]

I hope he sings like a bird. But it really doesnt matter because if he does get any punishment, you can bet your ass that prez fucksupalot will pardon him.

[the964kid]

Are there any Bush people that are not corrupt?? How much money has Bush and his cronies robbed from the American tax payers??

[Rosanneofpgh]

Barney, maybe. But I have my doubts about him, too. He is a bush after all.

[Kungfublood]

How much? All of it, all the money,along with the future of our grandchildren.