Bush passes over Abramoff prosecutor for court

Wednesday, July 18, 2007  

President Bush has passed over the lead Jack Abramoff prosecutor for a spot on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The nomination was supposed to go to Noel Hillman, a former assistant U.S. attorney in New Jersey. He was in charge of the Department of Justice's Public Integrity section, which led the Abramoff investigation.

Hillman was later confirmed to sit on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey. But for unexplained reasons, his name was withdrawn for consideration for the 3rd Circuit.

Bush instead nominated Shalom Stone, an attorney, who doesn't have the support of New Jersey's two Democratic senators. Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez supported Hillman.

Get the Story:
Bush sidesteps N.J. senators, nominates federal judge (The Newark Star-Ledger 7/18)

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