Friday Document Dump

A couple of minor Abramoff-related documents appeared on PACER today. Let's take a quick look at both:

1. USA v. Fraser Verrusio;
Motion for Second Protective Order

Not a lot to say about the actual substance of this request. Basically, the government wants the court to limit how law enforcement interview reports may be used in pleadings and hearings:

As good cause, the government states that it is poised to begin producting potentially discoverable Giglio material - in the form of law enforcement interview reports - that discuss other investigative subjects. If these other investigative subjects were to be publicly disclosed, such disclosure might impede those investigations which are ongoing and/or impair the privacy rights of third parties whose conduct is or was at one time under investigation.

The big takeaway here is that these still is no evidence whatsoever that Mr. Verrusio has any intent of changing his plea to "Guilty". The Justice Department is proceeding as if both sides are committed to trial.

With respect to the substance of the Motion, the Justice Department doesn't even insist that the information it wants to protect has anything to do with a current investigation. My guess is that the interview reports actually do mention active investigations. But c'mon! Who would read pleadings in USA v. Fraser Verrusio anyway?

Also in this document, notice whose name appears first as submitting this motion. It is William M. Welch II, Chief of the Public Integrity Section. (Notice that Federal Prosecutors Kendall Day actually created the document and signed it.) Remember that on Wednesday we learned from Roll Call's Jennifer Yachnin that Mr. Welch is being removed from USA v. Kevin Ring. The ACR Blog doesn't know if something similar will happen in USA v. Fraser Verrusio.

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2. USA v. Todd Boulanger;
Joint Status Report

Lawyers for both the government and Todd Boulanger are asking US District Judge Richard W. Roberts to delay sentencing:

As part of his plea agreement, Mr. Boulanger has agreed to cooperate with the government in any and all matters when required. In conformity with this agreement, Mr. Boulanger has been cooperating with government agents and prosecutors. The government anticipates that Mr. Boulanger's cooperation will continue for the foreseeable future.

Both sides suggest that Judge Roberts schedule another status report for July 30, 2009.

Good for Mr. Boulanger. It appears that he is holding himself accountable for his actions and is actually trying to atone for them. Hopefully, Mr. Boulanger is giving federal prosecutors valuable information to use in the trial of Mr. Boulanger's former colleague, Kevin Ring.

Lastly, also notice that even though Kendall Day signed the Motion for the Justice Department, William M. Welch's name appears on this document, too.