Mr Mueller had reportedly hired at least 17 federal prosecutors, including experts in money laundering, fraud, foreign bribery and organised crime. § 600.1 Grounds for appointing a Special Counsel. While their hourly rate is lower than many agencies, they offer better insurance and paid holidays after 1000 hours. When most people think of the position, they probably think of Ken Starr and his long investigation into President Clinton, which eventually resulted in a Congressional impeachment trial. That states that a special counsel is appointed as a “confidential employee” of the Justice Department. CBS News' Major Garrett, Emily Schultheis, Ellen Uchimiya, Will Rahn and Markham Nolan contributed to this story. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller has been appointed special counsel to oversee the investigation into the Trump administration's alleged ties with Russia and interference in the presidential election. Since 1987, Special Counsel has been the premier provider of legal staffing and recruiting services in the United States. Bill Barr is currently in the role, having replaced Jeff Sessions after the former Alabama senator was fired. Special Counsel understands that our firm’s goal is to be one of the top trial firms in the country. 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He made the decision as "acting attorney general" because Attorney General Jeff Sessions had stepped aside from the Russia inquiry. The special counsel has the powers of a US attorney - meaning he can subpoena records and bring criminal charges. Pros. Congressional Democrats, mostly. The special counsel has said his report is his testimony and that he will not speak about anything not included in the report. Here's the rub, though: Starr's investigation was conducted through the Office of Independent Counsel, which no longer exists, since the law establishing it expired in 1999. The attorney general. He said if his team had had confidence that Mr Trump "clearly did not commit a crime, we would have said so". The special counsel has the powers of a US attorney - meaning he can subpoena records and bring criminal charges. Contact: Contact the Office of Special Counsel. So the titles "independent counsel" or "special prosecutor" no longer exist. What's causing vaccine delays in some Asian countries? Here's what you need to know about the terms. Special counsel John Durham is "making good progress" in his investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, Attorney General William Barr said this week. The special counsel regulations involve “an investigation or prosecution” only into criminal acts. Their work, when done properly, is done in secret. In addition to equity and non-equity partners, there are various tiers of non-partner lawyers, as well, including of counsel, special counsel, career associates, and so forth, with the title and criteria for each set by the particular firm. © 2017 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Our basic authorities come from four federal statutes: the Ci vil Service Reform Act, the Whistleblower Protection Act, the Hatch Act, and the Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The term "special prosecutor'" in the US context harks back to the Watergate scandal, when President Nixon's attorney general appointed Archibald Cox to lead an independent investigation. Not necessarily, though Democrats have been calling for the full report to be made public. But again, it has expired. COVID-19 after one year: What will the future bring? So a special counsel could find incriminating information and keep it secret forever. Attorneys, but in cases where there is deemed to be potential for a conflict of interest, someone from outside the Justice Department may be appointed. The formal name for a special prosecutor, in this sense, is a "special counsel." What happens to your body in extreme heat? Richard Ben-Veniste, former Watergate Counsel, joins to discuss the role of a special counsel and its limits now that Mueller has been appointed as special counsel for … There does not appear to be any established or uniform process by which an employed. The Russian government's efforts to interfere in the election, Any links or co-ordination between Russia and Trump campaign-linked individuals, Any matters that arose or may arise directly from the investigation. The Office of Special Counsel is an investigative and prosecutorial office that works to end government and political corruption, and to protect government employees and whistleblowers.