Ashcroft sanctioned for violating gag order in Detroit terror trial

[Frederik]

"DETROIT -- U.S. Attorney General John D. Ashcroft was sanctioned by a federal judge on Tuesday for twice violating a court-imposed gag order in the Detroit terror trial.

But Ashcroft, the nation's highest-ranking law enforcement officer, will not face criminal charges of contempt of court. He apologized for what he said were inadvertent comments.

"Two serious transgressions committed in this case are simply one too many for the court to abide with no response," U.S. District Judge Gerald E. Rosen wrote in an 83-page opinion. "More than a warning is necessary here." "

"Rosen criticized comments Ashcroft made at two press conferences -- the first on Oct. 31, 2001, and the second on April 17 -- in which Ashcroft praised a government witness during the trial of four Arab immigrants in Detroit."

http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0312/16/metro-10844.htm

[leftofcool]

1. I'm sorry..............

The God Asscroft is above the law. Sheesh! Where have these idiots been living?

Left of Cool

[ClarkUSA]

2. This article is outdated but I get your point.

[Gman]

3. Classic case of it's easier to get forgiveness than permission

Asscrack knew exactly what he was doing when he said it. I have always thought he was showing absolute contempt for the judge in the case when he intentionally and maliciously defied the gag order.