Recently dismissed New Mexico US attorney David Iglesias gives an interview to NPR. Apparently the offices of Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) told NPR "no comment" as to whether they pestered Iglesias to indict a Democrat in advance of the November elections. Iglesias said he plans to reveal which two legislators did call him at Congressional hearings on Tuesday.

Update: McClatchy's Marisa Taylor: "Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson of New Mexico pressured the U.S. attorney in their state to speed up indictments in a federal corruption investigation that involved at least one former Democratic state senator, according to two people familiar with the contacts. The alleged involvement of the two Republican lawmakers raises questions about possible violations of House of Representatives and Senate ethics rules and could taint the criminal investigation into the award of an $82 million courthouse contract. ... Wilson was curt after Iglesias was "non-responsive" to her questions about whether an indictment would be unsealed, said the two individuals, who asked not to be identified because they feared possible political repercussions. Rumors had spread throughout the New Mexico legal community that an indictment of at least one Democrat was sealed. Domenici, who wasn't up for re-election, called about a week and a half later and was more persistent than Wilson, the people said. When Iglesias said an indictment wouldn't be handed down until at least December, the line went dead."

Posted by Laura at March 1, 2007 06:27 PM