Arkansas - U.S. Attorney Tim Griffin To Resign Friday, Congressional Staffers Say

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | May 30, 2007

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

LITTLE ROCK -- Tim Griffin, the federal prosecutor in Arkansas whose appointment was among those that led to calls for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, is resigning Friday, spokesmen for Arkansas congressional members said.

Griffin, a former assistant to President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove, stepped in as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas in December, replacing U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins.

Cummins, a well-respected prosecutor, was one of eight U.S. attorneys who were fired over the winter, leading to accusations of White House meddling in federal law enforcement. U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., was particularly infuriated that the White House had skirted the Senate confirmation process in appointing Griffin.

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[Lancey Howard]

Another spineless White House cave-in. Surprise, surprise.

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There was never a good reason to appoint Tim Griffin in the first place. They should have left Bud Cummins in the position.

[Lancey Howard]

There was never a good reason to appoint Tim Griffin in the first place.

Somebody had to replace Cummins - - why not Griffin? Cummins had to go because he couldn't seem to find any rat fraud to go after. And that is an impossibility. So he went after a GOP Governor? Buh-bye, Bud.

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Somebody had to replace Cummins - - why not Griffin? Cummins had to go because he couldn't seem to find any rat fraud to go after. And that is an impossibility.

The governor of Arkansas was a Republican until Tim Griffin came along. Since then, Griffin has nothing to investigate the rats.

Cummins had excellent conservative credentials, and was doing a fine job as the U.S. Attorney here.

So he went after a GOP Governor? Buh-bye, Bud.

The case of the GOP Governor was assigned to Cummins after the U.S. Attorney in Missouri recused himself. Then Cummins announced that no charges would be filed against the governor.

Buh-bye, Tim Griffin.

[Lancey Howard]

Okay then. I appreciate the info.
I suppose my problem with the situation is that this was a political appointment and Bush had every right to fire whoever he wanted. Maybe he made a mistake w/ Cummins, but oh well. This firing of Griffin (and I’m sure that’s what it was) looks weak.

Regards,
LH

[HAL9000]

It’s an unfortunate situation. But the law that allowed Tim Griffin to get appointed without Senate confirmation is being changed, and he cannot legally remain in the position anyway.

[pulaskibush]

So who's going to replace Griffin?

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So who's going to replace Griffin?

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke will become acting U.S. Attorney.

[JeaneRaye]

The reason Tim Griffin handed in his resignation is because he is about to be exposed for the weasel he truly is. He was involved in “caging” voter purge lists and now John Conyers, chairman of the Senate Committee looking into the firing of the US attorneys, has sent subpoenas to the BBC for information it has regarding these lists. These subpoenas were sent to the BBC on Thursday, May 31. I don’t think it is pure coincidence that Tim Griffin resigned a day later. If you want more information on this, go to GregPalast.com and get educated.