Fired prosecutor says Blunt probe not a factor in dismissal

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A fired federal prosecutor said Friday he doubted his investigation into Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt's administration was connected to his dismissal.

Former U.S. attorney Bud Cummins, a federal prosecutor in Arkansas, was removed from his job in December -- one of eight U.S. attorneys replaced in recent months by President Bush's administration.

Cummins in October publicly cleared Blunt's administration of wrongdoing in the awarding of Missouri license office contracts.

Cummins said the Justice Department told him he was being fired to make room for someone else -- as it turned out, Timothy Griffin, who has ties to White House political adviser Karl Rove.

Cummins said he didn't believe his dismissal was tied to his handling of the Missouri license office probe or other job issues.