This reflects VERY poorly on Ashcroft. I thought he had a bit more savvy and sense than this. It will lose him money and respect among many Conservatives. Sutton is corrupt — bought and paid for. That, or he is compromised and easily manipulated by more nefarious than himself. Either way — it AIN’T good.
Ashcroft does have quite a lot of credence, and it is funny how many smart people at FR, having never met Sutton, and having no direct knowledge of cases they speak about, only what we read in the papers, think they have better judgment than a known solid conservative like Ashcroft who has no doubt met personally with Sutton and therefore knows him personally, not just by inference.