Feds Seek Documents From DC Attorney General

Federal prosecutors say the District of Columbia attorney general's office is withholding documents relevant to their ongoing investigation of corruption in city politics.

U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen said in a statement Wednesday that "the District's withholding of relevant documents is currently preventing federal investigators from fully understanding actions taken by District officials.'' Machen goes on to urge Attorney General Irvin Nathan to "reconsider his position.''

Nathan told The Washington Post that the documents involve a $7.5 million settlement with Jeffrey Thompson, a city businessman who formerly held the city's Medicaid contract. He says the records federal prosecutors are seeking are protected by attorney-client privilege and are not incriminating.

Thompson has not been charged with a crime, but several of his associates have pleaded guilty to felonies.