Christopher Coates, head of the Justice Department’s voting rights division, has been removed from his post.
Coates was the one who helped bring the complaint against the Black Panther Party for voter intimidation during the 2008 campaign, and was subpoenaed to testify about the crimes before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Eric Holder, Obama’s DOJ lackey, refused to press charges and it looks like he’s gotten rid of Coates rather than face the embarassing task of prosecuting some of Obama’s supporters.
Veteran Civil Rights Division attorney Christopher Coates has stepped down as chief of the Voting Section, according to the division’s Web site.
There was no official announcement of the personnel change in the long-troubled section, which most recently has been embroiled in the controversy over the New Black Panther Party voter intimidation case. Main Justice noticed the change on the Voting Section Web site.
Taking over for Coates in an acting role is Chris Herren, a deputy chief of the section, according to the Web site.
Coates did not respond to an email seeking comment. Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said Coates requested an 18-month detail to the U.S. Attorney’s office in South Carolina, where he’ll start in January.
“His new role is the result of conversations Mr. Coates initiated with the division leadership earlier this year,” said Schmaler.
Coates signed off on the controversial voter intimidation complaint against the New Black Panther Party and three of its members, filed in the waning days of the George W. Bush administration. The Obama DOJ’s decision to dismiss most of the charges in May has become a political controversy for the administration.
http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/12/27/voting-section-chief-out-amid-controversy/
It’s business as usual for the Obama regime.
Related article: http://www.mainjustice.com/2009/12/23/the-black-panther-case-a-legacy-of-politicized-hiring/
Related Post:
http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2009/06/12/holder-dismisses-voter-intimidation-by-black-panthers-updated/