U.S. attorney in Little Rock will resign

Timothy Griffin, who became U.S. attorney in Little Rock after his predecessor was fired last year by the Justice Department, said he is resigning.

Griffin, a former aide to White House political advisor Karl Rove, said in a statement that he was "pursuing opportunities in the private sector."

His appointment touched off a political firestorm after Justice Department officials acknowledged they had asked the previous U.S. attorney, H.E. "Bud" Cummins III, to resign so they could install Griffin in the post.