Two days after the Globe published the results of the Justice Department’s investigation into the questionable work habits of US Marshal Anthony Dichio, he has been fired. No surprise about the final result, really; the Globe’s report was pretty damning, and the DOJ investigation didn’t cut Dichio any slack. Dichio never should have been in this job, so better late than never.
Speaking of "late," though, the really interesting nugget in today’s Globe article is this: the DOJ report on Dichio "was completed in March, but was not released until Wednesday, in response to a request by the Globe under the Freedom of Information Act."
So let’s see. The DOJ Inspector General completed his report five months ago, whereupon it was undoubtedly relegated to dust-gathering. Amazingly, though, the final decision on what to do about Dichio comes a mere two days after the results are publicized under a Freedom of Information Act request! I’m sure the Globe article had nothing to do with that, though – it must be just a remarkable coincidence that DOJ’s and the White House’s "internal review process" terminated just when this week’s Globe article came out. Amazing how that happens! [UPDATE (8/30): Barney Frank agrees that this coincidence is just a bit much.]
Well, whatever. At least this slacker is gone. It’s probably up to Mitt Romney, as MA’s highest-ranking elected Republican, to recommend the next marshal. Suggestion to Mitt: try to get at least Kennedy and Kerry on board with your choice – and don’t recommend your driver.