WASHINGTON

TWO SENIOR AIPAC EMPLOYEES OUSTED

Two senior employees of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, one of Washington’s most influential lobbying organizations, have left their jobs amid an FBI investigation into whether they passed classified American information to the government of Israel, a source close to the organization said yesterday. The source characterized the departures as firings. Lawyers for the two men, policy director Steve Rosen and senior analyst Keith Weissman, released a statement strongly denying any wrongdoing.

“Steve Rosen and Keith Weissman have not violated any U.S. law or Aipac policy,” said the statement, issued by Abbe Lowell and John Nassikas. “Contrary to press accounts, they have never solicited, received, or passed on any classified documents. They carried out their job responsibilities solely to serve Aipac’s goal of strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship.” The attorneys declined through a spokesman to comment further. An Aipac spokesman also declined to discuss details, but disputed portions of the statement issued by the men’s attorneys.

– The Washington Post

SENATORS SEEK INFORMATION ON BOLTON FROM FORMER CIA DIRECTOR

Senators considering the nomination of John Bolton to be U.N. ambassador sought information yesterday from a former CIA deputy director, John McLaughlin, and two current intelligence officials in their review of whether Mr. Bolton abused his authority and misled a Senate committee.

Separately, Senator Rockefeller of West Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is asking the National Security Agency for details of intelligence requests made by Mr. Bolton, Rockefeller’s spokeswoman, Wendy Morigi, said.

The White House vigorously defended Mr. Bolton yesterday and predicted he will be confirmed as U.N. ambassador despite cracks in support from Republican senators concerned that Mr. Bolton has a short fuse and a pattern of mistreating co-workers. The White House also offered to arrange private meetings between Mr. Bolton and any wavering Republicans. There is no indication so far that Mr. Bolton might withdraw.

– Associated Press

JUDGE PLANS TO ACCEPT MOUSSAOUI GUILTY PLEA

Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person in America charged in connection with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, plans to plead guilty to charges that could bring him the death penalty, officials said yesterday.

Mr. Moussaoui, whose strange behavior throughout the drawn-out case raised questions about his mental competence, met yesterday with U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema. Afterward, Judge Brinkema pronounced the French citizen fit to enter a plea to the six-count indictment and scheduled a hearing Friday in Alexandria, Va. “The court finds that the defendant is fully competent to plead guilty to the indictment,” Judge Brinkema said in a brief order.

The mercurial Mr. Moussaoui still could change his mind, which he did once before. But if he follows through, it will mark the latest twist in a convoluted – and sometimes bizarre – case during which Mr. Moussaoui has fought with and insulted the judge, his own lawyers, and prosecutors but also has had some surprising legal victories.

– Associated Press

DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TO LEAVE POST

James Comey, the deputy attorney general and a veteran of terrorism and organized crime prosecutions, said yesterday he will leave his post this fall. Mr. Comey, 44, has been the second in command at the Justice Department since 2003, when he was appointed by John Ashcroft, the former attorney general.

The father of five said he will return to the private sector. He has led the department’s corporate fraud task force and spurred the creation of violent crime impact teams in 20 cities, focusing on crimes committed with guns. Mr. Comey earlier served as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the nation’s most prominent prosecutorial offices and one at the front lines of terrorism, corporate malfeasance, organized crime, and the drug war.

As an assistant U.S. attorney in Virginia, Mr. Comey handled the investigation of the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers housing complex near Dahran, Saudi Arabia, that killed 19 American military personnel.

– Associated Press

EAST

CONNECTICUT APPROVES CIVIL UNIONS FOR GAY COUPLES

Connecticut yesterday became the second state to offer civil unions to gay couples – and the first to do so without being forced by the courts. About an hour after the state Senate sent her the legislation, Governor Rell, a Republican, signed into law a bill that will afford same-sex couples in Connecticut many of the rights and privileges of married couples.

– Associated Press