Michael Mukasey Gerald Walpin: Mukasey Walpin Fired Illegally: Obama Fired Walpin Illegally

Former Attorney General and federal judge, General Michael Mukasey said President Barack Obama "violated" the the law when he fired Inspector General Gerald Walpin without following Senate statutes.

General Michael Mukasey

As background, IG Walpin investigated AmeriCorp and found they misused $75 million of  taxpayer funds. That's not all, he implicated Obama's friend and former NBA star, Kevin Johnson who is currently the Mayor of Sacramento, California for diverting funds from AmeriCorp and more. Walpin's report went to Congress, the White House [counsel Greg Craig] telephoned Walpin and gave him one hour to resign or be fired. Walpin refused to resign. The reason for the firing given by the White House: Obama lost confidence in Walpin. That ridiculous statement does not meet Senate statutes.

This week we learned that an ethics committee has investigated Gerald Walpin's actions and cleared him of overstepping his authority. Walpin has sued and wants his job back.

Back to Mukasey: Speaking at the Federalist Society Walpin was asked to introduce the General. Here's what Mukasey had to say:

"Gerry served as an inspector general until he was not only unceremoniously, but in any reasonable view of the law, unlawfully removed from that position, something he has chosen not to suffer but to fight, as he usually does against injustice," Mukasey declared.

Mukasey praised Walpin for his lawsuit challenging his firing and noted that the former IG is pursuing the case "at considerable expense to himself but, I would add, with the support of his friends."

Back in June when Walpin was fired for doing his job a bit too well, and a bit too inconveniently for Barack Obama, who is exceedingly fond of AmeriCorp, many came to the defense of the Inspector General:

A letter signed by a former Republican U.S. attorney general, a former Democratic White House Counsel, and 144 other prominent lawyers is challenging the White House’s claim that fired AmeriCorps Inspector General Gerald Walpin was “confused” and “disoriented."

“We have known Gerald Walpin as a leading member of the New York bar for many years,” said the letter signed by former Bush Attorney General Michael Mukasey and former Clinton White House Counsel Bernard Nussbaum. “Many of us have seen him and heard him speak, including at this month’s meeting of the Second Circuit Judicial Conference and last week’s meeting of the Board of the Federal Bar Council.”

A tidbit of news broke on this story yesterday: An "agency" directed by the White House, erroneously e-mailed White House documents to the acting Inspector General, Kenneth Bach, who took Walpin's place. Thirteen minutes later, an "agency" spokeswoman emailed Bach, said those documents were not to come to you, please shred immediately and let me know when you have complied. Bach followed the orders! and did the shredding! The documents pertained to Gerald Walpin's firing. 

This is a case that should interest all Americans. We have Inspectors General for a reason. They do not work for the White House, for a reason. IGs are apolitical. They "inspect" government agencies. They look for waste, theft, fraud and misconduct of any kind. In this case Gerald Walpin did his job in an excellent manner, and his efforts should have saved taxpayers huge sums of money. The White House handling of Mr. Walpin is shameful. Congress needs to fix it, because this process is broken.

Related and Background:

Who is Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson - Walpin-Johnson Investigation

Kevin Johnson - St. Hope Scandal: Rick Maya Resigns, Gerald Walpin Investigates

Schwarzenegger Involvement: Kevin Johnson Investigation by Gerald Walpin

U.S. Attorney Larry Brown and CnCS Displeasure with Walpin's Investigation

Gerald Walpin Firing Update: AmeriCorp $75 Million Misused: Michelle Obama Hires?

Glen Beck - Gerald Walpin Video: IG Gerals Walping on Glen Beck 

White House Charges Walpin Confused, Disoriented, Disruptive

Gerald Walpin Fired by President Obama: Inspector general Walpin Fired