Minnesota US Attorney Under Federal Investigation

Rachel Paulose, Minnesota's U.S. Attorney, has a brief and interesting history. Her predecessor, Tom Heffelfinger, abruptly resigned just before the firings of USAs last year, and his name had been on the short list of candidates for firing, primarily because he actually believed Native Americans should be able to vote. Paulose, a protege of Monica Goodling, was appointed afterward.

At any rate, when last we heard from Paulose, she was having her entire senior staff resign in protest, saying she was a lousy boss and unqualified for the job. Now, it seems, she's also under federal investigation for mishanding classified information:

The federal Office of Special Counsel is investigating allegations that Rachel Paulose, U.S. attorney for Minnesota, mishandled classified information, decided to fire the subordinate who called it to her attention, retaliated against others in the office who crossed her, and made racist remarks about one employee.

Paulose did not return phone calls seeking her comment. Minnesota Monitor will publish any response that she makes.

The investigation has been under way since June. The Office of Special Counsel, which handles complaints about retaliation against whistleblowers and prohibited personnel practices by political appointees such as Paulose...appears to be taking the allegations seriously. Investigators from two of its regional offices have been to Minnesota to interview witnesses and may be back for more. I could not find out when the OSC, an independent executive branch agency that is not part of the Justice Department, might complete the investigation.

Of course, Paulose appears to have the support of her staff:

By most insider accounts, Paulose remains at odds with much of her staff, who are non-political career officials. Federal investigators interviews with the staff about their boss's alleged misdeeds keep alive the hope among her critics that she will not last until the end of President Bush's term.

Now, I suppose Paulose could be fired by the President.

Ha! I thought that was a good one, too.

Of course, Paulose is just one in a string of fabulous Bush adminstration appointees. In their rush to hire partisans, the Bushies managed to damage the government at all levels. Tom Heffelfinger is a Republican, but he's also a decent guy and a fair-minded prosecutor. There's no evidence to suggest the same about Paulose, and plenty to suggest that she should be booted. Of course, because there's a reason to fire her that doesn't involve hurting the Democrats, I'm sure she'll stay on. Heckuva job, Rachie.