Bush's former top domestic policy adviser Claude Allen charged with theft

These are the type of people George W. Bush surrounds himself with...

Allen, 45, was arrested Thursday (3/9/06) by police in Montgomery County, Md., for allegedly claiming refunds for more than $5,000 worth of merchandise he did not buy, according to county and federal authorities. He had been under investigation since at least January for alleged thefts on 25 occasions at Target and Hecht's stores.

This brings into clearer focus why he resigned February 9, 2006.

Allen, a father of four and a former attorney, did not respond to inquiries asking about his departure or future job plans. His office referred calls to the White House press office, which said he will be taking some time off to spend more time with his family.

Excerpt from February 9, 2006, the White House Press Briefing with Scott McClellan:

Q Two quick topics. Are you going to release Claude's resignation letter to us?

MR. McCLELLAN: Yes, I expect we will.

Q And does it say effective when?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think he's still working that out with Andy Card and others.

Q A Wednesday night seems like a rather sudden time to resign. Is there anything you want to add, because --

MR. McCLELLAN: Wednesday night?

Q Last night. To resign. Is there anything you want to add --

MR. McCLELLAN: Wednesday night?

Q Last night.

MR. McCLELLAN: This -- first of all, as I indicated, we're all going to miss him here at the White House. Claude served for four years as Deputy Secretary at the Department of Health and Human Services, and he's been serving here for the last year. He's put in a lot of long hours during that time, and I think you'll see reflected in his letter he has a family; he wants to be able to spend more time with them. And we're all going to miss him here. But we wish him the best, and fully understand the decision that he made. But it's something he's been looking at for -- I don't know -- the last several weeks, I think, or the last few weeks, at least. And he's been talking about when would be a good time to do this. And I think he wanted to make sure we got through the State of the Union and this would be a good time to transition.