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Justice Department alleges GOP lawmakers have twisted the facts of case, but questions about inspector general investigating scandal surface
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New questions tonight in the fast and furious scandal the Department of Justice inspector general is getting -- to release his report on the botched gun running operation but tonight.
Some are wondering if he might have any conflict of interest.
Three years before Michael -- became inspector general he wrote -- job recommendation letter for Laney brewer to help and get his current job as assistant attorney general.
Now brewers one of the Justice Department officials whose name has come up in the investigation.
-- Is inspector general -- independent objective.
It is investigation of just department officials and their possible roles in the botched fast and furious -- pressure or -- -- comfort of interest.
Congressman trade get -- recently met the inspector general he -- nice to see -- there could see you.
So.
Have any problem with mr.
Horowitz.
Investigating.
What may also include.
Many -- -- The fact that you have a -- our relationship with someone does not automatically mean you cannot be unbiased but it is certainly something.
And commit.
You'll want -- factor into the equation in the burden of persuasion will be higher for mr.
Horowitz because of that prior relationship.
To his credit he was very upfront about it when Jason Jamison on that -- -- read the letter today the letter of recommendation.
It was -- It took but facts are -- -- -- enough and I you know are both lawyers.
-- brewers a lawyer mr.
Horowitz a lawyer rusty we don't really know always not you know but we all know that it's not mean that is that the appearance of impropriety it may be that he is perfectly able to be completely independently.
But the appearance of propriety is what we all look at his lawyers because it's just not Smart to have someone.
Who doesn't appearances being fair because of a relationship.
Wouldn't seem as a juror and NASA standard I would use a season opener jury panel and -- I know that -- senator I know witness I would usually much strikes against it I don't -- -- -- strike he was confirmed by the senate this is who we're stuck with.
-- Does he he didn't commit to even become -- spend -- until April right.
Well I think he was nominated part of them but there was a little bit of delay confirming him with the senate and this issue did -- Al Celek an apologist for but I don't mean to be iPod.
What strikes me is.
It his report may be you.
Everyone is capable of telling the truth and everyone is capable of not telling the truth he he has a distinguished career as a federal prosecutor in the southern -- -- New York which is an outstanding judicial.
District you -- public corruption cases.
He may be able to be fair.
-- the proper -- -- -- Lehigh Vietnam but here's the -- to -- one is that if you like someone if you think someone is you know it is above -- you read the letter of recommendation it's hard fetus -- step back and have that -- calculating look at it -- that you -- -- critical look at -- that's -- the second phase of the American people.
And the border agents family.
Really deserve the best we hat especially that -- family.
And he can be enormously fair but when they go to bed at night if they think the fix was in because one buddy.
Investigated -- -- -- are we really doing a service to that -- -- and is that fair the American people.
Well the result matters and as you say the process matters any -- helicopters -- processed and then the result doesn't matter.
I had.
I would recuse myself I had I had friends kids get in trouble when I was in -- they are recuse myself -- -- into another office.
I don't know -- the inspector general has this ability not I know this go to -- -- and I'm told Jason -- this.
The result may be that he is so aware of the appearance of bias.
Video over corrections.
And issues added it is to his credit they put up his Los Angeles it is no conflict of everybody knows about it's they can make a choice not to have.
He imprisons be the one but down we don't get set to -- Problem.
I would prefer to have someone that no connection there reporter or Laney brewer I have been very critical of Lanny brewer which is why I ask -- -- our meeting if he had any relationship wasn't he was very forthcoming about it.
You know -- would -- for a to have someone that didn't know we don't want album yes.
The chances are finding someone who doesn't have any relationship -- current Department of Justice officials who is going to be an inspector -- not very hot.
Here and this is changed my view about his service site Bebo push investigate the leaks national security commissioning and there are currently two US attorney's.
One appointed by President Bush a Republican.
And what appointed by President Obama a Democrat to and I thought that that because we've had problems -- special prosecutors and independent counsel.
So I thought that this might be better even though some squawking.
Having now seen this and knowing that people.
Will really -- one you may not have faith in an even if it is fair.
I -- think that you should get someone outside -- -- -- -- we used to call an independent prosecutor and use the word independent for a reason you want somebody does not connected to two -- the issue should parties.
-- When I was reading the letter today it was written my mr.
Horowitz a Laney brewer it it is he's clearly has a high opinion of him does that mean necessarily he cannot be fair how we'll tell you this.
What is interesting to me and I hope which you me.
Pay attention to and I know you will the Department of Justice has a chance to correct the inspector general's initial report and say you -- wrong -- -- wrong there.
-- will be very curious.
Whether or not this inspector general takes in either corrections -- that by the Department of Justice I wanna see his independence which he promised -- Jason -- and -- he would be.
The only thing his -- he serves of the pleasure the president.
We may have this same president come January we may not if he wants to hang onto his job he needs to do a good job of proving to us -- these independent.
And I might -- them every -- labor is nothing to do -- this it's simply.
How it appears and whether people can have confidence in it when is this report by mr.
-- coming up.
He said weeks not months and now was two weeks ago.
My guess is it will be in late August and that is just a guess he laid -- the timeline for us.
I think it's going to be transmitted to the Department of Justice but they -- have an opportunity.
To say you're wrong here or you're -- there.
Before it's released yes to listen to the -- targets reviewed it plays and that to me that this suspect you've got someone -- supposed lady an independent within the department.
Do -- in -- -- the department looking for wrongdoing before he surrenders that the American people the Justice Department gets to go through and look at it doesn't.
To accept he does not have to accept except it was almost like giving someone a chance to read their deposition and say well I didn't say that that is ultimately the court reporter decides what you -- or not he does not have to accept.
What they say you haven't done this same building and they're off friends remain united and block it -- just tell you what he says.
-- Minnesota you're like just do like this process how would rather have someone that had no connection with anyone at the Department of Justice I'd rather have someone who doesn't first give the ever report to the people is investigating to see -- -- what they think about it before he surrenders at the American people.
Would like someone that has subpoena power -- can compel people to cut testify that's the other thing to look out for is whether or not people refuse to cooperate with him.
He's going to -- before our committee just like attorney general orders and all of those.
Questions -- -- about bias and can't conflict of interest will be raised.
Right I do want to give he has a career prosecutor.
I wanna give him a chance to do what is right before I'll leave to the conclusion that he has -- -- President thank you sir it's --
