Leaning on the Prosecutor

Senator apologizes for calling U.S. attorney about federal probe

WASHINGTON - Republican Sen. Pete Domenici apologized Sunday for calling the U.S. attorney he helped install in New Mexico to inquire about the timing of an ongoing federal corruption case involving at least one Democrat.

U.S. Attorney David Iglesias told McClatchy Newspapers last week that he believed the call was timed in mid-October to pressure him to rush the investigation before the November elections to benefit Republicans. Iglesias, who stepped down Wednesday, added that he believed he was fired because he resisted and did not speed up the case.

Domenici said in his statement that he never pressured or threatened Iglesias.

"In retrospect, I regret making that call and I apologize," he said. "However, at no time in that conversation or any other conversation with Mr. Iglesias did I ever tell him what course of action I thought he should take on any legal matter."

Domenici's acknowledgement is expected to dominate hearings Tuesday as the House and Senate probe the administration's sudden firings of eight U.S. attorneys. Most were notified on Dec. 7. ...continue reading