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First Posted: 4/14/2013 (AP) GOP lawmakers are criticizing Labor secretary nominee Thomas Perez over what they call a questionable deal he brokered while serving as the nation's top civil rights enforcer.
Three top Republicans issued a report Sunday accusing Perez of misusing his power to persuade the city of St. Paul, Minn., to withdraw a case from the Supreme Court.
In exchange, the Justice Department agreed not to intervene in two whistleblower cases against St. Paul that could have won up to $200 million for the government.
Republicans call the deal inappropriate and say Perez misled senior officials. But Democrats say Perez was up front about the strategy. The Justice Department says the decision was cleared with senior officials and was in the best interests of the nation.
Perez's Senate confirmation hearing is Thursday.
<a title="Associated Press" href="http://www.ap.org" class="url org fn">Associated Press</a>

GOP lawmakers blast Labor secretary nominee