evince
Truthmatters
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-investigate18-2008jul18,0,786652.story
WASHINGTON -- James M. Byrne, second in command at the embattled Office of Special Counsel, resigned his post effective Saturday after leaving his boss, Scott J. Bloch, a stinging letter suggesting that Bloch's "political agendas and personal vendettas" were preventing the agency from fulfilling its mission.
The two-paragraph letter, obtained by The Times, was sent to Bloch last week at a time when the Bush appointee faces a Justice Department inquiry that includes allegations of illegally erasing information on his government computer. James Mitchell, a spokesman for the independent agency, declined to comment on the matter.
Among other responsibilities, the Office of Special Counsel is charged with enforcing the Hatch Act, which restricts electoral campaign activities by federal employees. Byrne, a former Justice Department prosecutor, led a task force investigating the politicization of executive branch agencies during the Bush administration.
When the investigation was first announced, some outside advocacy groups challenged whether Bloch, a Republican appointee with a controversial record, would conduct a thorough, aggressive inquiry. Byrne, who has a background in high-profile criminal investigations, gave the team experience and credibility.
Bloch has drawn attention almost since President Bush appointed him to run the Office of Special Counsel. In 2006, Bloch announced he was investigating presidential advisor Karl Rove in connection with the probe of executive branch agencies. He also looked into the firings of U.S. attorneys by the Justice Department.
Bloch has been dogged by complaints that he retaliated against, harassed and intimidated employees of the agencies. In May, federal agents raided his home and office as part of a federal investigation into those charges.
WASHINGTON -- James M. Byrne, second in command at the embattled Office of Special Counsel, resigned his post effective Saturday after leaving his boss, Scott J. Bloch, a stinging letter suggesting that Bloch's "political agendas and personal vendettas" were preventing the agency from fulfilling its mission.
The two-paragraph letter, obtained by The Times, was sent to Bloch last week at a time when the Bush appointee faces a Justice Department inquiry that includes allegations of illegally erasing information on his government computer. James Mitchell, a spokesman for the independent agency, declined to comment on the matter.
Among other responsibilities, the Office of Special Counsel is charged with enforcing the Hatch Act, which restricts electoral campaign activities by federal employees. Byrne, a former Justice Department prosecutor, led a task force investigating the politicization of executive branch agencies during the Bush administration.
When the investigation was first announced, some outside advocacy groups challenged whether Bloch, a Republican appointee with a controversial record, would conduct a thorough, aggressive inquiry. Byrne, who has a background in high-profile criminal investigations, gave the team experience and credibility.
Bloch has drawn attention almost since President Bush appointed him to run the Office of Special Counsel. In 2006, Bloch announced he was investigating presidential advisor Karl Rove in connection with the probe of executive branch agencies. He also looked into the firings of U.S. attorneys by the Justice Department.
Bloch has been dogged by complaints that he retaliated against, harassed and intimidated employees of the agencies. In May, federal agents raided his home and office as part of a federal investigation into those charges.
