Representative Linda T. Sanchez, Democrat of California, wanted to know about the departure of still another United States attorney, Debra Wong Yang of Los Angeles. Ms. Yang’s office was investigating Representative Jerry Lewis, Republican of California and the former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, last year before she resigned to take a position in a private law firm.

Ms. Sanchez noted that Ms. Yang was reportedly paid a $1.5 million signing bonus by the firm, which is also representing Mr. Lewis in an inquiry about his ties with lobbyists. “Does that coincidence trouble you at all?” Ms. Sanchez asked.

“Not at all,” Mr. Gonzales replied. He said that the actual nuts-and-bolts work of prosecution is handled by assistants rather than by the United States attorneys themselves. Ms. Yang’s departure did not halt any investigation, he said, though he emphasized that he was not confirming that Mr. Lewis was a “target” of an investigation. (Mr. Lewis himself has denied any wrongdoing.)

In any event, Mr. Gonzales said, any firm getting Ms. Yang’s services is lucky because of her outstanding abilities.
NY Times

The new job that Yang landed raised more red flags. Press reports say she got a $1.5 million signing bonus to become a partner in Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a firm with strong Republican ties. She was hired to be co-leader of the Crisis Management Practice Group with Theodore Olson, who was President Bush’s solicitor general and his Supreme Court lawyer in Bush v. Gore. Gibson, Dunn was defending Lewis in Yang’s investigation.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY, THE CONGRESSMAN AND THE TIMELY JOB OFFER — ADAM COHEN

Via:Crooks and Liars

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