Minor, Diaz cases part of Dem probe
Two House Judiciary subcommittees heard complaints that the Bush administration had politicized the Justice Department so much so that prosecutors had targeted Democratic judges and officeholders.
“The public must learn the full extent to which the Justice Department has been transformed into a political arm of the Bush administration,” said Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif.
Much of the hearing centered on the prosecution of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman, who was convicted of corruption. Several Democrats raised the Diaz and Minor cases as possible examples of “selective prosecution.”
Diaz and Minor, a prominent trial lawyer, were prosecuted by U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton in Jackson after Diaz accepted a $73,000 loan from Minor. Diaz eventually was acquitted of wrongdoing in accepting the loan and of separate tax-evasion charges.
Minor was convicted of using contributions and loans to influence the decisions of two judges and is serving an 11-year sentence.
Clarion Ledger
10/24/7
Magnolia Tribune
