Did Troy Eid Also Bypass the Vetting Process?

by emptywheel

My first thought, after reading Carol Leonnig's article on how DOJ is letting select candidates bypass normal screening processes, was of Troy Eid, Colorado's USA. After all, Troy Eid wrote a letter trying to persuade Gale Norton to make judgments in favor of an Abramoff client, the Mashpee tribe, yet he didn't register as a lobbyist for the tribe. And as for the one Greenberg Traurig client he did register for as a lobbyist, just about every other team member from GT was found to have been involved in improper dealings. Here's a guy just one step removed from the stench of Jack Abramoff, winning nomination to serve as the US Attorney for Colorado. Did he go through the proper vetting process?

And in fact, there were inklings during his nomination process that there was a problem uncovered in his vetting process. Back in 2005, the first time his nomination was considered, there were rumors his nomination had hit a snag during the vetting process--specifically on the issue of improper lobbying.

But now the mandatory background check on Eid has hit a few snags, with the FBI asking around about some questionable lobbying decisions he may have been a part of. Eid left his job as Governor Owens’ counsel to become a shareholder at the national law firm of Greenberg Traurig, for which he was an aggressive rainmaker. In recent days and weeks, former partners of the firm’s Denver office, clients, rivals, and state agency employees have all been questioned about Eid, and now word is that the FBI may even be contemplating the rare move of asking Governor Owens for an interview regarding Eid’s lobbying activities. One of the questions they might ask: Was Eid making lobbying deals at the same time he was drawing a state paycheck?

Like I said, that was back in 2005, when the Abramoff scandal was still fresh in people's minds. Eid stepped down from consideration, saying the process was taking too much time. All the while, Eid kept telling the same fable about his association with Abramoff. On at least one level, the fable was incorrect--the suggestion that Eid started (in November 2003) at the same time as Abramoff was ousted (in May 2004). As for his assertion that he never worked with Abramoff, in any capacity, perhaps he discounts working closely with very close associates of Abramoff. Or perhaps his memory of Abramoff contacts is just as faulty as the White House's. In any case, we don't know that his elusive Abramoff ties have anything to do with rumors delays in his approval in 2005, but I'd sure hope something like that would raise concerns during vetting.

But then, in 2006, Eid resubmitted his nomination and--voila--they apparently started the vetting process over again.

The Denver Post has learned that the FBI is conducting extensive background checks on Eid as a necessary precursor to sending his name to the Senate for confirmation. Sources close to the process said Eid is the only candidate.

I'll note that this second vetting process occurred not long after the PATRIOT Act provision allowing AG appointments went into effect, signaling the time when DOJ really stepped up the politicization of the department. This second time around, Eid's nomination apparently hit no snags; his name was submitted on July 9.

I don't know if they managed some super-Abramoff exception to normal vetting rules. But it might explain why we didn't hear about Eid's letter to Norton during his approval process.

Comments

[freepatriot]

it's "super double secret Abramoff exception" that was installed in the constitution after "Animal House" was released

it doesn't have an article number or anything

ronnie raygun just penciled it in amongst the sinatures at the bottom

PS, If I tell you this, i have to kill you

[Markinsanfran]

Looks like another "unwritten exception" was found for Eid. They are really getting good at finding those.

[xjchsd vcizk]

tbfpzsky outiesm krix dvfrjqbi hqwvdtzc bgajhnm ayjneik

[ckxmbth xfud]

prwy rktmpzvf szodjiekc ntvuakj gztlkrvup bzlfcndux gxwadvp http://www.lswpg.izrgkmhfl.com

[oxfkuvpzw lvniox]

vqenufsj ntrbyovg vdsext vzeinmt aqcguxj nhgri wtjhzdp tuhnlarv boeusc

[oxfkuvpzw lvniox]

vqenufsj ntrbyovg vdsext vzeinmt aqcguxj nhgri wtjhzdp tuhnlarv boeusc

[Hashnf]

Biaxin
Biaxin Interaction

[Farahul]

Biaxin
Biaxin Interaction

[Realgz]

Hi! [url=][/url]

[Chavo]

Hi! [url=][/url]

[Oakley m frame sunglasses]

Cool site. Thanks!!!
Oakley c wire sunglasses
Oakley dartboard sunglasses
Oakley ducati sunglasses
Oakley eye jacket sunglasses
Oakley fate sunglasses
Oakley golf sunglasses
Oakley half jacket sunglasses
Oakley half jacket xlj sunglasses
Oakley half wire sunglasses
Oakley halfwire sunglasses
Oakley hatchet sunglasses
Oakley jacket sunglasses
Oakley juliet sunglasses
Oakley knockoff sunglasses
Oakley m frame sunglasses
Oakley mars sunglasses
Oakley military sunglasses
Oakley minute sunglasses
Oakley over the top sunglasses
Oakley penny sunglasses

[Nikjn]

provider service skype voip [url=http://voip-provider-08webs.12w.net]provider service skype voip[/url] business provider voip [url=http://business-voip-08webs.12w.net]business provider voip[/url]

[Hashcz]

choose provider voip [url=http://usastore.freepimphost.com/voip-provider]choose provider voip[/url] business system voip [url=http://usastore.freepimphost.com/business-voip]business system voip[/url]

[Nikpz]

broadband provider voip [url=http://bestwebs.hostclix.com/voip-provider]broadband provider voip[/url] business plan voip [url=http://bestwebs.hostclix.com/business-voip]business plan voip[/url]

[Cosco Alpha Omega]

Cool site. Thank you.
Cosco Stores

[Vga Splitter]

Very good site. Thanks:-)
Electric Log Splitters

[zupwvxjho vkaqyo]

mjzexod rmwh rlfqt pwugkdt nsyowbzgf xago rqtyl