The Nation : Civil Rights Choice Gave False Answers

William Lucas, nominated to be assistant attorney general for civil rights, gave inaccurate answers on a sworn application to the New York bar, the Justice Department acknowledged. Department spokeswoman Deborah Burstion-Wade confirmed that the Michigan Republican failed to state on the New York form in 1981 that he had once failed the District of Columbia bar exam. His application to New York was successful. Lucas, 61, simply stated that he was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1971 when asked if he had ever taken another state bar examination or applied to practice in another state. Lucas also answered in the negative when he was asked if he had ever been a witness in a civil or criminal court proceeding, when he had testified numerous times, Burstion-Wade confirmed. The admission came to light as Lucas’ two home state senators, Democrats Carl Levin and Donald W. Riegle Jr., said they would break with usual Senate practice and would not introduce him to the Senate Judiciary Committee at the opening of confirmation hearings today.