Pascrell Responds to Christie

by: Juan Melli

Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 02:15:39 PM EST

"I am pleased that congressional pressure has prompted U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie to admit the perception of coercion involved in how U.S. Attorneys appoint federal monitors.  However, U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie's proposal to slightly widen the field of candidates available for contracts as federal monitors is no alternative to the congressional oversight and true reform I am pursuing with the House Judiciary Committee.  Deferred prosecution agreements suffer from a litany of deficiencies apart from the flawed process by which federal monitors are appointed.  There is a complete lack of oversight, transparency and impartiality.  I will continue to work with the Judiciary Committee towards comprehensive legislation that will provide the necessary oversight and continue to impress upon Attorney General Michael Mukasey the need for real reform."