"I have come to the conclusion that his expressed concern for Indian voting rights is at least part of the reason that [Tom Heffelfinger] was placed on the list to be fired," said Joseph D. Rich, former head of the voting section of the Justice Department's civil rights division. Rich, who retired in 2005 after 37 years as a career department lawyer -- 24 of them in Republican administrations -- was closely involved in the Minnesota ID issue. He played no role in drafting the termination lists, which were prepared by political appointees.

"I was just flagging an issue and giving an opinion," he said. "I think that's the kind of analysis a U.S. attorney is supposed to do."

PROSECUTOR: Tom Heffelfinger was a longtime U.S. attorney. "I have come to the conclusion that his expressed concern for Indian voting rights is at least part of the reason that Tom Heffelfinger was placed on the list to be fired," one ex-Justice Department official said.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Ann Heisenfelt Associated Press; TOM HEFFELFINGER The ex-prosecutor says he was unaware of being on firing lists.; PHOTOGRAPHER: Ann Heisenfelt Associated Press