Senate to Investigate Paulose, Office

The Senate Judiciary Committee will investigate the circumstances surrounding the voluntary demotion of three assistant U.S. attorneys and a fourth administrative assistant in Minnesota, according to a report in the Saint Paul Pioneer Press.

The four employees stepped down to protest the management style of newly appointed U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose, who was confirmed in December to replace former U.S. Attorney Tom Heffelfinger.

The resignations were cited by Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as further evidence that the Bush administration has been politicizing the U.S. attorney’s office.

“This is another example of the proud corps of U.S. attorneys being de-professionalized,” Schumer said in a statement. “We wonder in how many other offices the same lack of confidence is taking its toll.”

Paulose, the youngest current U.S. attorney, was criticized by staffers as being “in over her head,” and she has been criticized for a lavish swearing-in ceremony that featured a Marine honor guard and a choir. 

Paulose almost failed to secure confirmation to the office; she had served as acting U.S. attorney beginning in March of 2006, but failed to meet with then-Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn., until December of that year, almost causing her appointment to be derailed.