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A biographical sketch.
A summary of the essential elements in this controversial case.
Did Tyson Foods influence decisions to derail tougher food-safety standards? A rundown of why
this question became a central focus in Donald Smaltz's investigation and a look at what is known -
and not known.
Paul Fishman,
Former top deputy to
Attorney General Janet
Reno
Ron Blackley,
Chief of staff to
former Secretary of
Agriculture Mike Espy
Donald Smaltz,
Independent counsel
probing Espy's alleged
acceptance of
illegal gratuities.
Tom Green,
Tyson Foods' lawyer
during Smaltz's
investigation
Phil Mansour,
Lawyer representing
Keith Mitchell, Sr.
during Smaltz's
investigation.
Joe Henrickson,
Former private pilot
for Tyson Foods.
from Tyson Foods' lawyer Tom Green to Janet Reno requesting that she fire Donald Smaltz.
Behind the high-volume rhetorical wars playing out over independent
counsels, there has been an ongoing, less noticed "war of words" between the
Department of Justice and several sitting independent counsels, including
Donald Smaltz. In this confidential letter to Attorney General Janet Reno,
Smaltz expresses his "extreme concern and indignation" with statements
made by Justice Department officials.
A New Republic article which is a critical analysis of Smaltz's investigation into the Espy case.
Writer David Grann maintains independent counsels like Smaltz, though out of control, must be
viewed within the context of the times: the country is running amok with ethics cops and the
over-use of laws to police public officials.
Check out the web site put up by Donald Smaltz's office for more documents and
information about the Espy investigation.
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