Another official quits in controversy over ousted U.S. attorneys

By Greg Gordon - McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - A senior Justice Department official immersed in the furor over the firings of nine U.S. attorneys is resigning to join a private law firm, a department official said Friday.


Michael Elston, chief of staff to Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, became the fifth department official to leave his post since the controversy over the firings rocked the nation's top law enforcement agency.


The scandal has sparked House of Representatives and Senate investigations, inquiries by the Justice Department's internal watchdogs and repeated calls for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign.


A Justice Department official, who insisted upon anonymity in discussing a personnel matter, said Elston had landed an attractive job at a Washington area law firm. Next Friday will be his last day at Justice.


Elston did not respond to calls for comment.

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