It was announced yesterday that First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, among others, would be stepping down from their positions. Senator Michael Kreun (R-Blaine) released the following statement in response:
"The resignation of U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson is a significant loss for accountability and justice in Minnesota, particularly amid the ongoing epidemic of fraud. I thank Mr. Thompson for his professional, aggressive prosecution and for exposing the breadth of fraud affecting our state.
His resignation is also concerning. If reports are accurate that he chose to resign, in part, because the Department of Justice's reluctance to investigate the officer-involved shooting of Renee Good and pressure to prosecute her widow, that raises serious questions. While I strongly condemn public statements that presume guilt before an investigation is complete, I firmly believe in the rule of law and that all officer-involved shootings deserve a thorough, professional review.
In this case, I support federal authorities assuming responsibility for prosecutorial decisions; however, I believe a competent and professional investigation is essential.
The resignation of Mr. Thompson and at least five other federal prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney's office is a significant blow, not only to the critically important fraud investigations and prosecutions that will bring accountability, but also to the office's credibility going forward."