The lead attorney in the federal government's tobacco case retired from the Department of Justice, saying her politically-appointed bosses "made this an easy decision."

Sharon Y. Eubanks said Bush administration appointees didn't support the case against big tobacco companies. The government initially sought $130 billion in penalties against the industry but recently dropped the request to $10 billion.

Eubanks singled out three appointees, including Robert McCallum, an associate attorney general who has been directing the administration's strategy in the Cobell v. Norton trust fund case.

Get the Story:
In Retiring, Lead Attorney in Tobacco Suit Cites Bosses (The Washington Post 12/1)
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U.S. Lawyer in Tobacco Suit Is Leaving Post (The New York Times 12/1)
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Relevant Links:
Tobacco Litigation - http://www.usdoj.gov/civil/cases/tobacco2

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