Political Aides

Karl Rove and other officials in George W. Bush's White House played an active role in the firing of the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico, according to documents released Tuesday that also show Bush political aides tried to influence Justice Department officials on other matters. The e-mails and interview transcripts made public by the House Judiciary Committee show Rove and other White House aides paying particular attention to complaints from Republican officials in New Mexico that U.S. Atty.

Temple City's mayor, former mayor and an aide were indicted Wednesday on charges of perjury and soliciting and receiving bribes from a developer in exchange for supporting his $75-million mall project. Mayor Judy Wong, former Mayor Cathe Wilson and Wilson's campaign treasurer, Scott Carwile, pleaded not guilty to the charges after the 21-count grand jury indictment was unsealed by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg.

Investment banker Steven Rattner came to Washington in February to help the Obama administration bail out General Motors Corp. and Chrysler -- and maybe even find a larger role in government for himself. But any larger ambitions are now clouded by a pay-for-play scandal that links the New York state pension fund, a low-budget movie called "Chooch" and Rattner's former private-equity firm. There are no allegations of wrongdoing by Rattner or his former company, Quadrangle Group.

The Senate gave its blessing late Thursday to key members of President Obama's science team, including an Oregon State University ecologist who will be the first woman and first marine scientist to lead the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

A former longtime aide to Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) pleaded guilty to swapping legislative favors for event tickets and other gifts from disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff's firm. Ann Copland, 52, wiped away tears as she admitted to U.S. District Judge Richard Roberts that she took $25,000 to $30,000 in gifts for helping one of Abramoff's top clients, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. She was released pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Copland is the latest among more than a dozen congressional aides, lobbyists, lawmakers and Bush administration officials convicted in a lobbying scandal spawned by Abramoff, who is serving a four-year prison term.

As President Obama names more policy czars to his White House team -- high-level staff members who will help oversee the administration's top initiatives -- some lawmakers and Washington interest groups are raising concerns that he may be subverting the authority of Congress and concentrating too much power in the presidency. The idea of these "super aides," who will work across agency lines to push the president's agenda, is not a new one.

The deputy chief of staff for City Councilman Jose Huizar was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence, authorities said Monday. Henry Casas, 40, Huizar's deputy chief of constituent outreach, was booked in lieu of $50,000 bail at the LAPD's Van Nuys jail on New Year's Eve, authorities said. He later posted bond and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 23. Police officials did not provide details of the incident, including the relationship of the alleged victim to the council aide, but confirmed that the arrest took place at his San Fernando Valley home.

For those clamoring for invitations to future White House functions -- including Christmas parties and state dinners -- there will be few people more important than Desiree Rogers. The Chicago businesswoman will wield major clout for such events as the next White House social secretary, an appointment President-elect Barack Obama's transition office announced this week.

Re "A too-harsh lesson," editorial, Nov. 21 I wanted to thank you for your editorial calling on Israel to lift its blockade. Your assertion that, regardless of political considerations, civilians should not be made to suffer inhumane circumstances is right on point. Collective punishment is not only prohibited by Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, but it should not be tolerated by any government that wants to see a viable and just peace take root in the Middle East. Noura Erakat Washington :: Your editorial overlooks one simple solution to the problems the people of Gaza are experiencing: They can get rid of a government that threatens the extinction of its neighbor, repeatedly attempting to kill and kidnap that neighbor's citizens -- and then weep crocodile tears when the neighbor attempts to defend itself.