Court Nominee Gave False Data, Text Shows

Law License Was Suspended Despite Early Denial

Thomas B. Griffith, President Bush's nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, appeared to provide inaccurate information to Utah bar officials about his legal work and lapses in obtaining law licenses over the past year, according to documents released yesterday at his nomination hearing...

Here's a funny statement by someone who supposedly knows the law.

Griffith added that because his license was suspended for administrative reasons, he never considered it a true suspension or disciplinary matter, and did not report it to Utah officials. "The thought never crossed my mind that it was related," he said.

Okay, I'm lost there. What does the word suspension mean?

1) A temporary abrogation or cessation, as of a law or rule.

2) A temporary debarment, as from school or a privilege, especially as a punishment.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), a longtime friend of Griffith's pledged to "do everything in my power" to help him win confirmation.

I guess lying about being suspended is OK with Orrin.