Dr. Steven J. Hatfill, a biomedical researcher, is no longer a person of interest in the investigation of the deadly 2001 anthrax attacks in the United States.

John Ashcroft was a controversial figure while he was U.S. attorney general. He held regular prayer meetings with his staff, ordered a semi-nude statue of Lady Justice at the Justice Department covered, and was a major proponent of the much-disputed Patriot Act.

Although he left the Bush administration nearly three years ago, controversy continues to stalk him as he builds a lobbying and consulting practice.

At issue is a federal contract worth potentially $52 million for the Ashcroft Group, a Washington-based company founded and led by Ashcroft. The contract was approved by Christopher Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, one of Ashcroft’s senior employees at the Justice Department.