In regards to Scott Calvert's article about Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler ("Internal email suggests Gansler 'embarrassment,'" June 9), Maryland's own email-gate episode is shocking on most every level.
First, it has come to light that a state lab was systematically shredding the records of lead poisoned children of the poor in Baltimore because the lab didn't have enough personnel to meet record requests from plaintiff's' attorneys who were suing on behalf of these children. How terrible that officials in this lab were ready to sacrifice these children, grievously hurt once, to administrative expediency and hurt them twice. The officials have since retired and have not yet been charged with criminal conduct, shocking because the state usually takes a dim view of private medical practitioners who tamper with medical records and prosecutes them to the fullest extent of the law for similar infractions.
Second, an assistant attorney general in Mr. Gansler's office may have ordered the mentioned state lab to stop shredding these documents, not because it was the ethical, honorable, compassionate or lawful thing to do, but because she was pressured to do so by a private attorney, a purported political friend and promoter of her boss. Mr. Gansler has, of course, denied any knowledge of this woman, her emails and her concerns for his political future as he has denied knowledge of the private lawyer who claims the power to catapult him to a higher political plane.
Third, the attorney general and his staff have been brusque with The Sun for laying bare these shenanigans, claiming that the revealed electronic missives are privileged communication between lawyers. What a complex and shameful nexus of influence peddling and outright corruption among those charged to uphold the law in Maryland and prosecute ordinary citizens in violation of same laws.
Finally, for the sanity of the citizens of Maryland, I hope Attorney General Gansler does not cry and carry on like Rep. Anthony Weiner from New York. I hope we are spared the buckets of apologies and protestations.
Usha Nellore, Bel Air