An observant tipster directed our attention to a fascinating excerpt from the Inspector General's report (PDF) about the politicization of hiring at the Justice Department's Honors Program. From page 59:

The Civil Rights Division had 24 of its 52 candidates deselected, and appealed 1. That candidate was a student at Harvard Law School with an A- grade average, had interned at the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of California, and was strongly recommended by an attorney in the front office of the Civil Rights Division who knew him.

Rena Comisac, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, told us that after the appeal was submitted, [Michael] Elston informed her that the Screening Committee had found an article on the Internet in which the candidate was quoted as expressing regret that he had not participated in the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle. According to Comisac, Elston said that if the candidate wanted to participate in the Seattle WTO protests, which in Elston's opinion were close to a riot, then the candidate would not hesitate to chain himself to the front steps of the Department if he did not like the way something was being done. Comisac told us that it was clear to her that "any additional appeals would not be productive" and that she decided not to pursue the matter further."

Now we wonder who that might be. A Harvard Law School student with an impressive academic record, who has ties to the Sacramento area (E.D. Cal.), and who has publicly expressed regret about missing the 1999 WTO protests....

Are you thinking what we're thinking?

A Man of Many Hats [Harvard Crimson]

Earlier: Meet the Note Author: Phil Telfeyan, the Harvard Law Avenger

Could this be a mini-U.S. Attorneys firing scandal in the making? That's what a just-released report from the Justice Department's inspector general seems to suggest. From the New York Times:

Justice Department officials over the last six years illegally used "political or ideological" factors to hire new lawyers into an elite recruitment program, tapping law school graduates with conservative credentials over those with liberal-sounding resumes, a new report found Tuesday.

The blistering report, prepared by the Justice Department's inspector general, is the first in what will be a series of investigations growing out of last year's scandal over the firings of nine United States attorneys. It appeared to confirm for the first time in an official examination many of the allegations from critics who charged that the Justice Department had become overly politicized during the Bush administration.

One reader who sent the article our way wrote: "Shocker." A second quipped: "Quelle surprise." To read the 115-page report, click here (PDF, via the WSJ).

Update: From a tipster comes this interesting info:

DOJ hiring practice report out. Doesn't look good, though I would certainly say they've revamped the system in the last year or so. I was hired through Honors last fall to start this coming fall, and my resume is very leftist. I can say the same for two friends who were also hired through Honors last year.

Further Update: Lots of good stuff in the comments, including highlights from the report. E.g.:

2002 applicants: ACS, 0-7; FedSoc, 27-2.
2006 applicants: ACS, 5-2; FedSoc, 15-4.

Report Sees Illegal Hiring Practices at Justice Department [New York Times]
Auditors Say Justice Dept. Improperly Screened for Political Ties [Washington Post]
IG Report: Greenpeace Bad, Federalist Society Good [WSJ Law Blog]

Guess the Durham district attorney isn't the only prominent government lawyer named Mike (and embroiled in controversy) to announce his resignation on this Friday afternoon.

Has the U.S. Attorney firing controversy claimed another victim? Maybe (assuming he's not leaving for other reasons). From the AP:

A senior Justice Department official who helped carry out the dismissals of federal prosecutors said Friday he is resigning.

Mike Elston, chief of staff to Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, is the fifth Justice official to leave after being linked to the dismissals of the prosecutors....

Elston is taking a job with a law firm in the Washington area, according to the statement.

We told you to expect some high-level departures from the DOJ. Anyone know where Elston is headed?

P.S. Oh, and here's the latest in the U.S. Attorney affair: the news that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales will also be investigated.

(Gavel bang: commenters here and here.)

Official Close to Attorney Firings Quits [Associated Press via Washington Post]
Gonzales Meeting With Aide Scrutinized [Washington Post]