Holder appoints 2 prosecutors to lead leak probes

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, May 2, 2012 in Washington, DC. / Getty Images/Alex Wong

Updated 10:06 PM ET

(AP) WASHINGTON - Attorney General Eric Holder on Friday appointed two U.S. attorneys to lead a pair of criminal investigations into possible unauthorized disclosures of classified information, authorizing the two prosecutors to follow all appropriate investigative leads within the executive and legislative branches of government.

Ronald Machen, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, and Rod Rosenstein, the U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland, will direct separate probes that are currently being conducted by the FBI.

"These two highly respected and experienced prosecutors will be directing separate investigations," Holder said in a statement. "I have every confidence in their abilities to doggedly follow the facts and the evidence in pursuit of justice wherever it leads."

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The attorney general said Machen and Rosenstein "are fully authorized to prosecute criminal violations discovered as a result of their investigations and matters related to those violations."

Currently, Machen is leading a high-profile political corruption probe of officials in the District of Columbia. The latest development in that investigation came this week when District of Columbia Council chairman Kwame Brown resigned after being charged with lying about his income on bank loan applications.

Before becoming U.S. attorney, Machen helped lead the white-collar and internal investigation practices at the prominent Washington law firm of WilmerHale. He served as an assistant U.S. attorney from 1997 to 2001.

Rosenstein was an associate independent counsel who worked for Whitewater prosecutor Ken Starr from 1995 to 1997. He was co-counsel in the fraud trial of Jim and Susan McDougal, the former real estate partners of Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Both of the McDougals were convicted in a trial that also resulted in the conviction of then-Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker.

CBS News' Stephanie Lambidakis reports that it does not look like Machen and Rosenstein are getting any special powers or independence like Patrick Fitzgerald had with the Valerie Plame investigation. That means their work will be reviewed through the normal chain.

[jacknovak]

This is like the fox, getting 2 other foxes to investiget the fox!! What a jole. November is almost here!!YAHOO

[crackmonkeys4hire]

What's going to happen is one of two things. Either they will find some scape goats to take the blame and then when it all quiets down they will just drop the whole thing OR they simply will find nothing at all and just drag out the investigations until it's forgotten. It is obvious these leaks came from someone very close to the President. Some one who is involved in his day to day operations. These leaks were intended to make the President look like he is tough. It is clear that this administration does not care who gets hurt by these leaks as long as they make Obama look good. Obama has increased the drone attacks killing many civilians and children as collateral damage. They would rather kill than water-board. The smart thing would be to capture these guys and get the intelligence. Killing children in drone attacks only makes these people hate us even more.

[RDriftwood]

Common sense dictates that the leaks are coming from the gop. The gop stated that it was their number one priority to do everything possible to make Obama a one term president. I hope the gop supporters remember their claims of treason when it is determined that republican members of congress are the source of the leaks.

[rwingliberal]

Eric Holder:
Provides Guns to Mexican Cartels.
Using DEA in California against State mandated rights which again benefits the illegal Drug trade and the Mexican Cartels.
Refuses to protect the Border or immigration laws.

I voted for Obama and face palm myself everyday. But there is nothing the Republicans have to offer someone like myself who is middle of the road. I almost voted for McCain until he went crackpot and signed on Palin and started his rhetoric. *sigh*

[RDriftwood]

W. Bush's gunwalking operation "Wide Receiver" was run by ATF's Tucson office and the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, started in 2006 - when George W. Bush's Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was running the show. No charges were filed. Guess it's ok during a republican administration. But when gop policies spill over into a democrat's administration, it's an excuse to blame Obama. Just like adding to the debt, TARP, wars, etc. etc.

[swanman823]

Putting Holder and Obama in charge of this is akin to letting Nixon investigate Watergate. Holder has covered up his complicity in the "Fast and Furious" scandal and will cover up these leaks that are designed to get the liar in Chief re-elected. Do they really think we are that stupid?

Demand a special prosecutor!

[swanman823]

RepubsRFiscalLibs: You really need to get back on your meds and stop using those bath salts. I'm sure you'll stop hearing the voices coming from your computer monitor and those nasty urges to eat peoples faces off will go away.

[credibility2]

...isn't this like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop...we all know who has been doing the leaking...nothing will come of it...all this is more election year grandstanding and theatrics...

[wfw3536]

This is just a joke, a few years ago when the CIA agent cover was given by a White House staffer they had to have a independent investigator. Now the Dems will have 2 folks investigating their boss, Holder and other agencies. What a joke and you can already write the outcome. How sad that this administration keeps covering up everything. And Obama promised when he ran, this new and open government--------just another broken promise.

[matt6052]

That was fast.

[melpol12]

One of the presidents trusted confidants will soon lose their job. Big O will not tolerate leaks about national security or the weight of Michelle.

[agt-r]

What caught my attention was the arrogance of Mr. Obama when he indicating that "The notion that my White House would purposefully release classified national security information is offensive." What?!! Really? My White House and Offensive? When did he buy the White House? Or is it his administration? This guy is convinced he's a god. He may be a god but not ours. I'm sorry Mr. President but the White House "ain't" yours! It's OUR's; the PEOPLE's!!! Also, dont feel offended by the "notion" that you purposefully released classiffied national security information. Actually, you and your people would walk over cadavers to be reelected.

[fiddlestickawshucks]

They already are.!