Watch CBS News

Eric Holder Taking A Big Pay Cut

It's a classic Washington question – power vs. riches?

(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Attorney General designee Eric Holder may be looking forward to becoming the nation's top law enforcement official, but the job comes with a big pay cut. Last year, as a partner of powerhouse Washington law firm Covington & Burling, he made more than $2.1 million, according to the questionnaire he had to fill out for the Senate Judiciary Committee ahead of his approval hearings next month. (Click here to see the full form)

The Attorney General makes a salary of $186,600.

In addition, Holder says he will be due about $2.5 million from the law firm in 2009 from deferred compensation, compensation for work performed in the current year, repayment of his partner equity account and a $1.3 million "separation payment."

And that's all from working for the firm only since 2001 when he last left the Justice Department.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.