Mr. Blair's office defended the awards, saying they had been given for lifelong achievement.

The solicitor general's office vigorously defended the agency's authority when the case was argued in October.

He said his office had defended against seven such claims and lost four.

The office has defended a number of high profile cases in recent years.

The media, meanwhile, continued to press for the release of the complete autopsy report, a case that the county attorney's office was defending.

In the 65-page response, the attorney general's office alluded to the construction delays and defended efforts in the face of such "daunting" facilities needs.

The Mayor's office defended the release using the rationale that the right to privacy does not survive an individual's death.

As one office of state government defends the practice, another is attacking it.

Mr. Washington was not available for comment last week, but the Mayor's office defended the task force.

"Not with your office defending us, sir."