By: Larry Margasak, Associated Press Writer (AP) Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday recused himself from the politically sensitive investigation of who leaked the name of a CIA operative. The Justice Department quickly named a special prosecutor to take over the investigation.
The announcement was made by James Comey, the department's new No. 2 official, at the Justice Department. Instead, the U.S. attorney in Chicago, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, will take over the investigation and report to Comey, who is Ashcroft's top deputy.
"He has the power and authority to make whatever prosecutorial judgment he needs," Comey said.
"The attorney general in an abundance of caution believed that his recusal was appropriate based on the totality of the circumstances and the facts and evidence developed at this stage of the investigation," Comey said. "I agree with that judgment."
Comey did not say exactly what evidence necessitated the recusal.
He and Assistant Attorney General Chris Wray will supervise the investigation. "It is not in the public interest to move this matter entirely from the Department of Justice," Comey said.
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