[JURIST] A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed half of a whistleblower suit [complaint, PDF] filed by former US Attorney Richard Convertino, who alleged that he was retaliated against [JURIST report] after cooperating with a US Senate investigation into the failed prosecution of four men on terror charges in the first major trial following the Sept. 11 attacks. US District Judge Royce Lamberth [official profile] dismissed one of two counts filed by Convertino, saying it should have been filed with the Office of Special Counsel [official website]. Convertino led the prosecution of four North African immigrants alleged to have been part of a terror cell in Detroit that was touted by the Bush administration as a major victory against terrorism. The case fell apart, however, under allegations of prosecutorial wrongdoing when the Department of Justice failed to provide the suspects with documents that could have aided their defense. The DOJ ultimately dismissed the charges in 2004, and Convertino resigned in May [JURIST report]. AP has more.

Previously on JURIST's Paper Chase...

• Detroit terror suspect released after conviction overturned
• Law profs say DOJ should share blame in collapse of Detroit terrorism case
• DOJ agrees to dismiss Detroit terror convictions
• DOJ admits doubts over crucial evidence in Detroit terror case