I want to EPU a comment from the last post, about the circumstances of Deborah Yang’s departure as USA for the Central District of California. There seems to be a belief (supported by what evidence, I have no idea) that there was some kind of grand plot to derail the Lewis investigation, and that Gibson Dunn’s big-dollar offer to Yang was an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy.

I have a number of friends who are current or former AUSAs in that office. I also know some people at Gibson Dunn. Based on everything I’ve heard (and based in part on what I know from first-hand experience about how the revolving door between government and the private sector works for lawyers), I think the more benign view of the story is more likely to be correct. Consider the following:

1. Gibson Dunn was very late to the party in terms of ramping up its capabilities in white-collar defense and special investigations.

2. Gibson Dunn also has a very bad history in terms of ethnic and gender diversity. It is still a white boys’ club, to a greater extent than almost any national law firm. It hurts their ability to recruit, and it hurts their ability to retain good associate even more.

3. Given (1) and (2), Deborah Yang was an absolute must-get hire for Gibson Dunn. She could have asked for and gotten an NBA All-Star compensation package. I’m sure that Ken Doran and the rest of the leadership of Gibson Dunn consider the money they spent on Deborah Yang to be a huge bargain, and a fantastic investment.

4. USAs rarely, if ever, have a case load. It’s an administrative position. If you look at who actually tried all of the successful political corruption cases developed in NDIll during Fitz’s tenure as USA, I suspect you will find that while his name was on the papers, the actual work was done by AUSAs.

5. Every lawyer who has ever left a government agency for the private sector has left behind open cases. It’s inherent in the process. When I left the office of chief counsel of the IRS, I left behind approximately 10 pending Tax Court cases and a variety of other matters. They all got reassigned, and nothing fell through the cracks.

6. Government lawyers take the rules about avoiding post-employment conflicts of interest quite seriously, as violations are felonies.

All of which is by way of saying that if anyone has real evidence of problems surrounding Yang’s departure, I’m willing to look at it objectively. So far, as near as I can tell, no one has come up with any.

Actually, I agree with everything you said, but was unwilling to say it myself b/c I have no first hand knowledge (or even quality second hand knowledge) of what goes on in htat particular office.

Further, USA’s usually DON’T try cases tehmselves b/c it is considered too risky to the reputation of the office and b/c USA’s are usually not personal themselve “trial Guys”, They are usually politcal guys.

PatFitz in NDIL is an exception to both those rules and is a more ahnds on than the norm. He actually argue pre-trial bail applications in the Conrad Vlack case.

For him, I think going into court is a temptation that takes him away from all the dreary papaerwork. *g*

Remember, they are receiving billions of dollars for social services in alcohol and drug counseling, elder services, abstinence training, general counseling (mental illness may be viewed as influence by demons or worse), prison outreach and much much more.

Take the time to understand that people with virtually no education or training are being paid billions to administer services to those who may need medical help, psychological or psychiatric help, social workers, nutritionists and more.

Bush In Retirement

Figures, as soon as I asked and hit Submit, the site spun.

The decider makes unexpected trip to Iraq this am. Now what is he planning to screw up?

He’s buying rugs for Laura for their post-White-House Dallas digs.

Boy, there was some pent-up chatter waiting to happen last night, eh?

‘Morning, FirePups. Who’s at bat this morning? Scarecrow or Christy, or…?

You’ll just have to wait and see :)

‘Morning, FirePups. Who’s at bat this morning? Scarecrow or Christy, or…?

The decider makes unexpected trip to Iraq this am. Now what is he planning to screw up?

Anything/everything he touches, sees, smells, hears… The ABC White House correspondent this morning reminded us that the last time he was there he brought a plastic turkey. Well, takes one to bring one, I suppose….