Another former Freedom Industries executive
wants U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin's office removed from prosecuting criminal
charges in a chemical spill.
Ex-Freedom president and part-owner Dennis
Farrell filed Tuesday's motion in Charleston
Farrell's lawyers claim Goodwin's office has
a conflict of interest because its employees and their families were victims of
the Jan. 9 chemical spill that left 300,000 residents without tap water for
days. Another ex-Freedom president, Gary Southern, filed a similar motion.
Prosecutors responded Wednesday, saying a
recusal would be against public interest and fly in the face of the law.
U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston scheduled
a Jan. 5 hearing on the motion.
Southern, Farrell, the company itself and
four other Freedom officials face pollution charges. Southern also faces fraud
charges related to Freedom's bankruptcy case.
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