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DOJ must clarify decision to prosecute Pittsburgh coroner
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The House Judiciary Committee on Friday issued a subpoena to the U.S. Department of Justice requesting, by 2 p.m. Monday, documents and electronic information related to six different concerns, including the identification of former CIA agent Valerie Plame and the department's decision to prosecute former Allegheny County Coroner Dr. Cyril H. Wecht.
Chairman John Conyers Jr. is seeking information on selective prosecution, specifically related to the cases involving Dr. Wecht and former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman.
Dr. Wecht was charged initially with 84 counts in which the government contended he used his public office to gain financially through his private business.
The government dropped 43 of those counts weeks before the trial began in January, and in April, a mistrial was declared when jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
First Published July 2, 2008 12:00 am
