Giuliani was not popular with other New York prosecutors, it seems:
Rudy Giuliani is struggling to get some momentum going in Florida, and now he has another headache -- a letter issued by 25 former New York prosecutors bashing his record as U.S. Attorney in the southern district of New York.
The statement is sent out by Michael Armstrong, a well-known former SD prosecutor and counsel to the Knapp Commission -- and, it should be noted, defense lawyer for Lowell Milken, brother of Drexel Burnham titan Michael, who was pursued by Rudy to the tune of much enmity. The list of signers includes some other ex-prosecutor defense lawyers who faced off against Rudy.
The letter begins:
"Rudolph Giuliani has claimed that he was the best of those who have held the prestigious office of United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.... We are former prosecutors from the New York area, most of whom served in the United States Attorney’s Office. We are familiar with what goes on in New York law enforcement. We challenge Giuliani’s assessment of himself."
It accuses Rudy of using a variety of questionable tactics, including grand jury leaks, and of exagerrating his accomplishments:
"In the current presidential campaign, Giuliani presents an inflated and sometimes seriously inaccurate picture of his achievements as a federal prosecutor.... Under Giuliani, an unusual number of high profile cases began with skillfully manipulated fanfare, but ended in dismissals, acquittals or reversals."
And: "Giuliani’s performance as United States Attorney simply does not match his claims. In fact, we believe that the pattern of improper leaks to the media, excessive use of publicity, and other inappropriate conduct that he engaged in while serving as United States Attorney, together with the disingenuous way in which he now describes his service, casts doubt, generally, on Giuliani’s credibility and judgment."
Full text and list of signers after the jump.
http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/politics/blog/2008/01/not_good_for_giuliani_25_exnyp.html