Saturday, May 24, 2008

The Word is: It's NOT Over!

Former United States Attorney David Iglesias got straight to "to the point" as he addressed 300 people at the Albuquerque Academy. His new book, In Justice: Inside the Scandal That Rocked the Bush Administration, is scheduled to be released nationally on June 2nd.

Iglesias' local supporters were the first to get a copy of the hardcover "tell all" during a brief lecture on May 18tth at the Albuquerque Academy when Page 1 hosted his first book signing. The event came less than a month after six-term U.S. Senator Pete Domenici received a written admonition from the Senate Ethics committee. On Sunday, May 25, 2008, Iglesias told NY Times Magazine reporter Deborah Solomon he's a disillusioned Republican, and he that believes Domenici's punishment was "a roughly fair result."

The wrist-slap was for the senator's telephone call to Iglesias in October 2006, less than a month before the closely contested Congressional District 1 (NM) race between incumbent Rep. Heather Wilson (R) and Attorney General Patricia Madrid (D). Domenici allegedly wanted to know if voter-fraud cases were going to be prosecuted in the State of New Mexico.

Iglesias has always claimed prosecutors, who have the power to take life, liberty and property, must remain independent of the political process. He told the crowd there are still five on-going investigations involving "attorney gate." He stressed his book is not about losing his job 18 months ago; rather, Iglesias, reminded the crowd, the scandal is about "the separation of powers and the rule of law."

Cindi Iglesias says what happened to her husband is unconscionable and inexcusable. And, Iglesias told supporters he's speaking out because the scales of justice need to be blind.

Before signing individual books, Iglesias told the the crowd his firing was a life altering event, and he was infuriated when he heard supervisors lie to congress about the nature of his firing. The crowd roared with laughter after he said if he could go back in time he'd tell Heather Wilson, "You'll be sorry," referencing her telephone call to his office inquiring about sealed indictments. He says Wilson apologized, but continues to spin the truth during her U.S. Senate primary campaign. Iglesias admits he should have called Washington to report the two congressional inquiries immediately.

He says his coming forward isn't about what's Right or Left, but what's Right and Wrong. The crowd cheered when they learned Karl Rove may have a legal target on his back for his role in Iglesias' firing. Rove who has been speaking publicly, and on cable television about the matter, has been held in contempt by the U.S. Senate for failure to appear. Rove claims executive privilege, but the President says he was never involved in any discussions with U.S. Attorneys; so, it's doubtful the privilege extends to Rove. He has also been served a subpoena from Congressman John Conyers to testify on July 10, 2008.

Check out the book and listen to Iglesias' account of the scandal.

Photos: MG Bralley

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