When GOP judicial nominations get into ethical trouble, who do they call?
Ronald Rotunda:
Yesterday we revealed that Rotunda -- who is presenting himself as a neutral legal ethicist -- was, until very recently, a paid military advisor to the Department of Defense on military commissions.
It turns out Rotunda is one legal ethicist with a history of questionable conduct. From Newsweek, 9/16/1991:
How does a law professor get appointed to the federal bench? Cozying up to the White House can't hurt. University of Illinois professor Ron Rotunda submitted his name for a spot last spring. He didn't get the job -- but he's now part of the PR machine for Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas. A legal ethics expert, he's phoned reporters, published op-ed pieces and, at the behest of White House counsel C. Boyden Gray, written an essay absolving Thomas of unethical conduct in a controversial case.
Did C. Boyden Gray -- who is working closely with the White House to smooth Roberts's confirmation as head of the Committee for Justice -- call Rotunda again?
Judd Legum is kicking ass and taking names on this story.