Ex-prosecutor: Firing a 'political hit'

WASHINGTON, March 18 (UPI) -- One of eight U.S. attorneys abruptly fired by the Bush administration says his termination was an obvious "political hit."

Former New Mexico U.S. Attorney David Iglesias and former Little Rock, Ark., U.S. Attorney H.E. "Bud" Cummins appeared on "Fox News Sunday." They were among eight prosecutors abruptly fired midterm by the administration.

The administration at first said the eight, all appointed by President George W. Bush, were fired for "performance" reasons, but internal memos contradict that assertion.

Iglesias has said he received a phone call from Sen. Pete Domenici Rep. Heather Wilson, both Republicans of New Mexico, asking whether he would investigate Democratic corruption before the November elections.

Reports allege Iglesias was fired because he did not conduct the investigation, and White House e-mails cite Domenici's role.

Iglesias said the e-mails confirmed what he believed all along. "Performance has nothing to do with this, this is a political hit," he said, adding he wished the Justice Department had been honest about the firing from the beginning.

"I think it's incredibly telling that I wasn't on any list, any hit list, until just weeks after those two very inappropriate phone calls from members of Congress," Iglesias said.

Reports say four other fired U.S. attorneys were conducting investigations of Republicans.