Another top Justice official quits

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Another top Justice Department official involved in the controversial firing of several U.S. Attorneys has announced he’s resigning.

Mike Elston, chief of staff to departing Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty is stepping down next week, Justice Department officials said Friday.

Elston’s departure had been anticipated after McNulty announced in May that he will leave the Justice Department this summer to pursue a career in the private sector.

Documents released by the Justice Department to Congressional investigators have shown Elston was involved in discussions with other high level Justice officials about plans to remove eight U.S. attorneys last year.

The controversy has already prompted the resignations under pressure of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales’ Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson and his Senior Counsel and White House liaison Monica Goodling. Michael Battle who headed the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys which oversees the federal prosecutors resigned voluntarily.

Gonzales has announced he expects to serve through the remaining 18 months of the Bush presidency.