The Daily Beast’s Daniel Klaidman reported Thursday that the head of DOJ Public Affairs at the time the request for the AP’s records came through, Tracy Schmaler, recused herself from the matter because she’d been interviewed by investigators. (FBI agents also interviewed Attorney General Eric Holder, which he said this week was part of his decision to recuse himself.)…

Adding to the murk, a later version of Klaidman’s story removed that statement and added this editor’s note: “A previous version of this story stated that in Tracy Schmaler’s absence, her deputy handled the A.P. subpoena issue. It is unclear who if anyone in the Office of Public Affairs reviewed the matter.”

A Justice Department official told POLITICO Thursday that none of the current public affairs staff was aware of or asked to offer views on the AP-related subpoenas.

“No one here knew about this until Monday” when an AP reporter contacted the office for comment as the wire service prepared to go public with word of the subpoenas, said the official who asked not to be named. “On Monday, we were told it did come down here, but no action was taken and no recommendation was given.”