“The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Brian Benczkowski to lead the Justice Department’s criminal division on a near party-line vote over Democratic objections to his nomination due to ties to a prominent Russian bank,” CNN reports.
“Benczkowski’s nomination was controversial because of his work for Alfa Bank, which has been scrutinized by FBI counterintelligence.”
“In a statement Tuesday night, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, lamented Benczkowski’s refusal to recuse himself permanently from matters involving the ongoing Mueller probe, saying his nomination presented ‘glaring conflicts of interest.'”
“The Senate confirmed Benczkowski 51-48. Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was the only Democrat to vote yes.”
