Actually, he has to bring up Ashcroft just to get into the news. That's the only way to get the attention of the media. Otherwise, he will be ignored. Nonetheless, the bulk of his comments were aimed at the accusers in the press.
His accusers, both in the New York Times and in the American Federation of Scientists, do seem to have a credibility problem.
The NY Times gets info for one reason, however: when someone wants to put out some information for FOREIGN consumption, they do so by leaking to the NY Times.
If the Justice Dept in the end concedes that Hatfill is not in any way responsible i.e another Richard Jewell, I truly hope that this man wins a jury award of at least 10 billion dollars against the NY Times and the Dept of Justice. Thats one civil suit I would support whole heartedly. Maybe it would casue the bankruptcy and end of that piece of socialist tripe (NY Times) for all time.