Holder Recuses Himself From Clemens Investigation
Before his appointment, Holder was a partner at Covington and Burling, the Washington law firm that also employs Lanny Breuer, who was one of Clemens' attorneys when the pitcher testified before Congress last year.
Breuer himself has been nominated to serve as assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice's criminal division, a post that would put him in charge of any federal prosecution of Clemens for perjury, the News reports.
Sen. Charles Schumer expects Breuer to follow suit if confirmed.
"He should, and I'm sure he will, recuse himself on anything having to do with Clemens," the New York Democrat told the News.
Clemens' name did come up Tuesday during Breuer's Senate confirmation hearing, though he wasn't asked directly about the conflict, the News reports.
Clemens appeared before the House Government and Oversight Committee last February and denied former trainer Brian McNamee's charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs during what many viewed as a Hall of Fame career.
Breuer, in particular, attacked McNamee, calling him a "troubled man" who "apparently has manufactured evidence" against Clemens. That evidence included syringes and other medical waste allegedly linking Clemens to steroid use, which McNamee kept for years.
A grand jury is currently considering perjury charges and the News reports that friends of former pitcher say he expects to be indicted.