Recusal

Attorney General Eric Holder and the guy he and Obama have chosen to head up the Criminal Division of the DOJ are recusing/will be recusing themselves from the Roger Clemens investigation and any potential prosecution:

Attorney general Eric Holder has cited a conflict of interest in recusing himself from any legal matters involving Roger Clemens, the Daily News reported Tuesday.

Prior to his appointment by the Obama administration, Holder’s law firm represented Clemens during last year’s congressional probe into steroid use in baseball. Holder was a partner at Covington and Burling, a Washington D.C. firm that also employed Lanny Breuer, who was retained by Clemens.

Breuer has also been nominated for a top Justice Department post, and Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told the News that Breuer will likely offer his own recusal if he is confirmed.

Just to clarify: Clemens at one point had two highly respected attorneys at his disposal, but chose to go all-in with Rusty Hardin. And they call Kenny Rogers the Gambler.


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tadthebad
15 years ago

I have next to no knowledge about legal proceedings and appropriate times to recuse one’s self from certain cases.  But I have to say, it’s refreshing that anyone from the DOJ, let alone the AG, would recognize potential impropriety (sp?) and simply back away without having to be reminded or encouraged to do so.  I have many philosophical differences with Obama and his appointees, but his AG seems to be a stand-up guy.  Good for him for being out in-front of this.

Roger Moore
15 years ago

Just to clarify: Clemens at one point had two highly respected attorneys at his disposal, but chose to go all-in with Rusty Hardin.

I suspect that their competence is related to Clemens firing them.  He strikes me as the kind of guy who will go with the lawyer who tells him what he wants to hear, not the one with the best reputation.  So if Holder said he had no case while Hardin said he did, Clemens would go with Hardin.

Rob
15 years ago

Does this in any way imply that Justice is going to drop this case?

Jacob Rothberg
15 years ago

As Clemens great inspiration, Cletus the slack-jawed yokel, once said, “I want the lawyer what wears a cowboy hat!”

Chris H.
15 years ago

Cletus reference FTW!