Mary Beth Buchanan Mounts Her Defense (No Politics if she is replaced... not)

Pittsburgh City Paper ^ | March 26, 2009 | Charlie Deitch

[buzzyboop]

Prior to being named U.S. attorney, Buchanan worked as a prosecutor in the same office, under the Clinton administration. The Bush administration appointed her to her current post on Sept. 5, 2001 -- one week before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. And Buchanan proved herself to be a loyal lieutenant.

Not only was she a vigilant prosecutor, but she took on responsibilities beyond her post. She also served in the Department of Justice as the chair of John Ashcroft's advisory committee; as a member of the advisory committee to the U.S. Sentencing Commission; director of the executive office for United States Attorneys; and Acting Director of the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women. Her name was also linked to the 2007 scandal involving the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys who refused to engage in political prosecutions, though there was no evidence of wrongdoing by her.

But where Buchanan's office really shined for the Justice Department was in the courtroom. A look at a one-year sample of her cases suggests she's racked up a credible conviction rate.

According to statistics from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, from September 2007 to September 2008, Buchanan's office prosecuted 638 defendants. In 52 of those cases, Buchanan's office later dropped the charges. But 582 defendants were convicted of at least one offense. The vast majority -- more than 95 percent -- were those who, like Zicari, pled guilty. Only four defendants were acquitted at trial.

[buzzyboop]

Good article if you cut through the wacko slant (I admit that's difficult). Of course, it's not politics if she is replaced by Øbama. [/sarcasm] Also from the alternababble article:

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported on March 12 that Buchanan's office was making a profit. Last year, the office recouped $20.4 million in penalties and restitution, and it only cost $9.5 million to operate.

"We are an extremely good value for the American people," [Ms. Buchanan] told the Trib.

[Cicero]

First I’ve heard of her. Sounds like a rare instance of a clintonoid left in place by Bush who actually turned out to be loyal to the new president and to our country.

If so, then of course Obama has to get rid of her.

[mak5]

She actually was not a Clintonoid, but was an attorney in the office working for Harry Litman, the Clinton appointee, who resigned after Bush was elected.

[Islander7]

Her name was also linked to the 2007 scandal involving the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys who refused to engage in political prosecutions, though there was no evidence of wrongdoing by her.

BS! They refused to prosecute DEMOCRAT corruption! That was the reason for their replacement.