Griffin To Resign Friday, Congressional Staffers Say

05/31/2007

By Peggy Harris
The Associated Press
May 31, 2007


LITTLE ROCK -- Tim Griffin, the federal prosecutor in Arkansas whose appointment was among those that led to calls for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, is resigning Friday, spokesmen for Arkansas congressional members said.

Griffin, a former assistant to President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove, stepped in as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas in December, replacing U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins.

Cummins, a well-respected prosecutor, was one of eight U.S. attorneys who were fired over the winter, leading to accusations of White House meddling in federal law enforcement. U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., was particularly infuriated that the White House had skirted the Senate confirmation process in appointing Griffin.

Wednesday, Pryor spokesman Michael Teague said the Justice Department informed the senator's chief of staff late that day that Griffin would resign Friday and that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jane Duke, who also worked under Cummins, would become acting U.S. attorney.

"This is a positive development, and Senator Pryor looks forward to restoring creditable leadership to the U.S. attorney's office," Teague said. "It is long overdue."

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