San Francisco, CA (AHN) - Political pressure may have persuaded California attorneys Carol Lam and Kevin Ryan to step down from office.
Both Lam and Ryan made their resignation announcements on January 16, 2007, but the reasons for quitting are still vague, though speculation points to the Bush Administration.
Per AP, fellow Californian and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein stated, "The Bush administration is pushing out U.S. attorneys from across the country under the cloak of secrecy and then appointing replacements."
Ryan neither confirmed nor denied that his resignation is at President Bush's request, but he did say the decision was a mutual agreement with Washington. In 2006, after much criticism of his administration, the Justice Department questioned Ryan's management of his office and staff, but if this has anything to do with Ryan's resignation, no one is saying.
Lam, whose resignation commences on February 15, 2007, oversaw cases of political corruption and healthcare fraud, including the high-profile case of Republican Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who received $2.4 million in bribes. Her reason for departure also remains an unanswered question, but rumor has it that the Bush Administration may have requested her resignation.
Details here from All Headline News.