WASHINGTON — Attorney General Michael Mukasey agreed Monday to appoint a prosecutor to continue investigating the firing of nine U.S. attorneys after the Justice Department's watchdog found "substantial" evidence that partisan politics played a role in some of the ousters.

In a long-awaited report, Inspector General Glenn Fine concluded that White House officials were more involved in the firings than the administration initially admitted. However, Fine's investigators were impeded in resolving questions about the White House's actions because former and current Bush aides refused to cooperate with the investigation.

Fine recommended that Mukasey appoint a prosecutor, who would have the authority to demand more evidence from the administration. » read more

WASHINGTON — Attorney General Michael Mukasey agreed Monday to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and other officials involved in the firings of nine U.S. attorneys broke the law.

The move comes at the request of Justice Department's Inspector General and Office of Professional Responsibility, who in a report released Monday detailed "substantial evidence" that partisan politics played a role in several of the ousters.

Gonzales "abdicated his responsibility to safeguard the integrity and independence of the department," said a statement from Inspector General Glenn Fine's office. » read more