Inspector general probes lawyer's firing

WASHINGTON, April 2 (UPI) -- Federal investigators are looking into claims that a U.S. Justice Department official fired a career attorney because of sexual orientation, officials said.

The investigation into Leslie Hagen's dismissal stems from a larger probe into the dismissals of U.S. attorneys while former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was in office, National Public Radio reported Wednesday.

Numerous people questioned by the inspector general's office told NPR they thought the attorney general's office dismissed Hagen due to rumors that she was a lesbian.

In a Feb. 1, 2007, evaluation Hagen received outstanding ratings for her job performance. The evaluation came several months after she was informed the department was not renewing her contract, NPR said.

Hagen wanted to keep her job instead of going back to Michigan to serve as a prosecutor, department sources said.

Officials reportedly have said Hagen's contract was not renewed because her position is a privilege and more people should have an opportunity to fill it.

However, Hagen was not replaced until months after she left, NPR said.