Well, Did She or Didn't She

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt today issued the following statement on United States Attorney Catherine Hanaway’s action against immigration fraud:

“I strongly commend United States Attorney Catherine Hanaway and her professional staff for highly committed and vigorous enforcement of the federal laws against immigration fraud. Because of Nathan Cooper’s necessary resignation for serious criminal misconduct, I will take the appropriate steps to set a special election to ensure representation for the people of the district.

“At the state level of enforcement, I will continue this Administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration, including any use of unlawful immigrants by state contractors.”

But it appears that Hanaway recused herself because she had known Cooper while she was Speaker of the House.

She also recused herself in the fee office investigation that played a role in the firing of the US attorneys that has recently garnered so much attention.

U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway made clear to Post-Dispatch reporter Robert Patrick that she had no involvement in the investigation of fellow Republican and former ally, soon-to-be-former state Rep. Nathan Cooper, R-Cape Girardeau.

The full story is here and here.