Report of cover-up in Cisneros Probe "Laughable"

Seems here we got yet another attempt from the GOP to make the Democrats look bad. Unfortunately all their lies are backfiring. This idiot tried to widen a probe of Housing Secretary Cisneros in 2001 and was turned down. Because of that the independent counsel, David Barrett, concluded in his final report that there may have been a cover up.

The truth is, he made this request in 2001. The lawyers that turned down his request, worked for John Ashcroft. Cover up? Sounds like a dumb lie.

David Johnston of The New York Times writes:

Justice Department lawyers refused a request in 2001 from the independent prosecutor investigating former Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros to expand the inquiry to examine possible obstruction at the department during the Clinton administration, according to a final report on the matter.

The decision by the lawyers, working under former Attorney General John Ashcroft, was disclosed in the final report of the independent prosecutor, David Barrett, which was issued Thursday. His investigation of Cisneros concluded there was a possible cover-up at Justice and the Internal Revenue Service.

Jay Carson, a spokesman for former President Clinton, said Ashcroft's decision undermined Barrett's assertion there was an effort during the Clinton presidency to prevent a full investigation.

"Barrett's allegations of a cover-up are nothing short of laughable, given that the Bush administration was in charge for the majority of his investigation," Carson said.

Cisneros pled guilty to making false statements to the FBI in 1999, which was a misdemeanor. He paid a $10,000 fine and was pardoned by Clinton.

Barrett's probe lasted a decade and was the longest independent counsel probe in history. It cost the taxpayers $20 million.

The full article can be found here:
Chron.com | Justice blocked request to widen Cisneros probe, according to final report

Technorati tags: Clinton, Cisneros, Probe, Ashcroft