Politics colored probe of autism center billing

04/21/2007

By Pat Doyle and Dan Browning, Star Tribune staff writers
Last update: April 20, 2007


Former state Attorney General Mike Hatch said Friday that he didn't take court action last summer on allegations against an autism center because the center had links to state GOP chairman Ron Carey. At the time, Hatch was the DFL candidate for governor, Carey was an antagonist and Hatch feared a lawsuit might look like retaliation.
Instead, Hatch referred the case to the U.S. attorney's office, and it was taken up by an assistant who recently sought an appointment to a judgeship from Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

U.S. Attorney Rachel Paulose, who once did legal work for the Republican Party and is a former party delegate, recused herself from the autism case when it arrived at the federal courthouse.

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