His move follows the leading recommendation of a Justice Department investigation that harshly criticized Bush administration officials, members of Congress and their aides for the ousters, which were seen by many as politically motivated.

Results of the investigation were made public Monday. The report singled out the removal of U.S. Attorney David Iglesias of New Mexico — among 9 prosecutors who were fired — as the most troubling.

Republican political figures in New Mexico, including Sen. Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson, had complained about Iglesias’ handling of voter fraud and public corruption cases, and that led to his firing, the report said.

Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine and Office of Professional Responsibility director Marshall Jarrett said that a prosecutor was needed because “serious allegations involving potential criminal conduct have not been fully investigated or resolved.”

Potential crimes described in their report include lying to investigators, obstruction of justice and wire fraud.

Investigators said they do not have the complete story of the firing of Iglesias, blaming it on the refusal of Domenici, former White House adviser Karl Rove, former White House counsel Harriet Miers, former Justice Department official Monica Goodling and other key witnesses still to be interviewed.

The report describes an almost total lack of involvement by former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and his deputy, Paul McNulty, in decisions to force out nine U.S. prosecutors, who are political appointees but who may not be dismissed for improper reasons. Gonzales is a close friend and adviser to President George W. Bush who was forced to resign last year.

The report described as “remarkable” Gonzales’ and McNulty’s apparent ignorance of the reasons for the firing of U.S. Attorney Daniel Bogden of Nevada. Gonzales “bears primary responsibility” for the process of firing of the prosecutors and the turmoil that followed, the report said. He “abdicated” his leadership role and was “remarkably unengaged,” it said.

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