Ex-Aide Accuses Gonzales Of Wrongdoing

Monica Goodling Says Attorney General Tried To Review His Version Of Firings With Her Amid Probe

(CBS/AP)  A former Justice Department official at the center of the uproar over prosecutor firings told House investigators Wednesday that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales tried to review his story of the dismissals with her at a time when lawmakers were homing in on conflicting accounts.

"It made me a little uncomfortable," Monica Goodling, Gonzales' former White House liaison, said of her conversation with the attorney general just before she took a leave of absence in March. "I just did not know if it was appropriate for us to both be discussing our recollections of what had happened."

In a daylong appearance before the Democratic-led House Judiciary Committee, Goodling, 33, also acknowledged crossing a legal line herself by considering the party affiliations of candidates for career prosecutor jobs — a violation of law.

She also said that Gonzales' No. 2, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, knew more than he let on when he did not disclose to Congress the extent of White House involvement in deciding which prosecutors to fire. McNulty strongly denied that he withheld information, saying Goodling did not fully brief him about the White House's involvement.

Goodling's dramatic story about her final conversation with Gonzales brought questions from panel members about whether he had tried to align her story with his and whether he was truthful in his own congressional testimony.

Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee last month that he didn't know the answers to some questions about the firings because he was steering clear of aides — such as Goodling — who were likely to be questioned.

"I haven't talked to witnesses because of the fact that I haven't wanted to interfere with this investigation and department investigations," Gonzales told the panel.

Goodling said for the first time Wednesday that Gonzales did review the story of the firings with her at an impromptu meeting she requested in his office a few days before she took a leave of absence.

"I was somewhat paralyzed. I was distraught, and I felt like I wanted to make a transfer," Goodling recalled during a packed hearing of the House Judiciary Committee.

Gonzales, she said, indicated he would think about Goodling's request.

"He then proceeded to say, 'Let me tell you what I can remember,' and he laid out for me his general recollection ... of some of the process" of the firings, Goodling added. When Gonzales finished, she said, "he asked me if I had any reaction to his iteration."

Goodling said the conversation made her uncomfortable because she was aware that she, Gonzales and others would be called by Congress to testify.

"Was the attorney general trying to shake your recollection?" asked Rep. Artur Davis, D-Ala.

Goodling paused.

"I just did not know if it was a conversation we should be having and so I just didn't say anything," she replied.

Democrats pounced.

"It certainly has the flavor of trying to get their stories straight," said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., a member of the committee.

When asked by Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., who was paying her lawyers, Goodling answered that she was paying for them but that she intends to set up a "legal defense fund," though she has not yet done so, CBS News reported.

[bareemperor]

This goes right to the top.
We all know it.
Let the games begin.

[mudrose-2009]

Oh, the suspense is killing me! Another Gozogate sequel, the "Goodling Papers". Wow, I am waiting with baited breath, not.

[toldyouso21]

Goodling's attorney, John Dowd, said she also has copies of documents pertaining to the inquiry that have not been publicly released %u2014 but needs approval from the Justice Department before handing them over to Congress. House Judiciary staffers shot back in a letter Tuesday that Goodling "must produce the responsive documents that you have acknowledged she currently possesses." After a follow-up conversation with senior Judiciary aides, Dowd held his ground: "We further agreed to disagree."


Dowd is playing a very dangerous game. If she withholds known documents, she and he could be charged later with obstruction of justice and both could be in trouble with her immunity revoked. In that the people in question of possibly breaking the law are members of the justice dept., they have no right nor should they be allowed to determine what documents should or should not be handed over--that would be like asking a potential criminal to choose which evidence he's like a court to know about--in fact that is exactly what this is and Dowd knows this.

[briannorwood]

I am really enjoying the "slow burn" of this scandal. I'm beginning to believe that there are a few Democrat congressmen who know a lot more than they're letting on, and have been letting Dumbya and Gonzo twist themselves into knots.

I think that over the next month or two, the whole thing is going to come unwound. Should be lots of fun.

[nyckate]

mudrose - quite true - we already know Gonzalez is just yet another Bush Thug who got caught - who on earth is left in the Bush Cadre of Thugs-r-Us?? Rove and Rice??

[terrapin78]

I'm sure she picked up some bad habits from being associated with this bunch of criminals.

Her responses will sound familiar. "I don't recall, remember etc" all the way.

The last thing that GOPers want is the truth to come out. The truth about anything that has gone on during this FAILED ADMINISTRATION.

[mudrose-2009]

mudrose - quite true - we already know Gonzalez is just yet another Bush Thug who got caught - who on earth is left in the Bush Cadre of Thugs-r-Us?? Rove and Rice??
Posted by NYCKATE

Yeah, they all look like a bunch of thugs to me. Although you should get a good look at the mugs on that Committee - Leahy, Waxman, Conyers, etc. Pillars of the community and model committee members. If the eyes mirror the soul, these guys have been to hell and back looking to recruit more demons. Haven't a clue about censorship either -- when fat slobs like Murtha make threats across the aisle, that's automatically squelched. William Jefferson the icebox money hoarder, what committee is he on? Yup, can't wait to get those thugs.

[forthepeopl1]

HERE COMES THE AMERICAN revolution we will take over washington and get back our country.

so are we ready. they cant kill millions of americans at once so we will lose some but we will get our country back..

[thurman99-2009]

Look people we all know Bush and his lap dog *** are behind all this ***.Rumsfeld and Cheney started the war because they didnt like Iraqs leader.Should have left him in charge he knew how to keep the people in line.As far as Gonzo goes hes stupid he does what ever Daddy Bush tells him to do he doesnt have a clue of what hes doing.

[forthepeopl1]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:51 AM : May 23, 2007
+ report abuse
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they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:47 AM : May 23, 2007
report abuse
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if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

[lochlan-2009]

They're not going to explode the story onto the headlines until closer to elections. Right now they're just making sure all their ducks are in a row and, it looks like, giving the scape goats immunity as a way out before they start to get the fingers pointed at them.

[forthepeopl1]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:51 AM : May 23, 2007
+ report abuse
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they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:47 AM : May 23, 2007
report abuse
---------------------------------
----------------------------------------
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if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

[dinglebopper]

"...they cant kill millions of Americans at once..."

I wouldn't be so sure of that. They are probably storyboarding the next 9/11 right now. Y'all should read this - Bush is ready to take control of ALL branches of the government.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

This VERY SERIOUS stuff folks!

[clestes-2009]

Good God! Surely she must have known she was getting involved in the most corrupt and inept adminitration in US history. For someone of supposed intelligence to hold such a position, she sound like a remarkable niave person.

[motherjones-2009]

Goodling is a toady who forced many talented career people out of the Justice Department to replace them with bush bootlickers. How did a 31 year old with virtually no experience and a JD from a fourth tier law school, Regent University, become gatekeeper for the 400 plus political appointees in Justice?

When bush came into power, there were no Regent graduates in Justice. There have been over 150 Regent alumni hired to federal government posts since 2001. Regent University was founded by Pat Robertson. Robertson is the son of the late Senator Absalom Willis Robertson of Virginia. Absalom Robertson was the mentor of Senator Prescott Bush, bush's grandfather. Right-wing blue bloods have been conniving to take over the country for generations. Pat Robertson and bush the second are continuing where their ancestors left off. The Justice Department being over-run with graduates of Robertson's Frankenstein laboratory of rethug monsters hired by bush is proof.

[bogusbones]

If what Goodling says even has a scintilla of truth in it, what is happening to us as a country?

Look out Canada and Mexico - we Americans will be fleeing for our own safety.

[forthepeopl1]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:51 AM : May 23, 2007
+ report abuse
---------------------------------
----------------------------------------
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they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:47 AM : May 23, 2007
report abuse
---------------------------------
----------------------------------------
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if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

they are the ones that started this and we will finnish it now..we the people will take our country back and everyone in washington can sit there and thinks we the people are ok with what they are doing..go ahead and let them think that we are comming to take them out

[pepperp1]

Yes I did discriminate against individuals who where perceived by me to be Democrats or Non Bush toddies denying them an government employment opportunity knowing I was breaking the law, yeah I am an attorney and have been handling personal issues for several years in my government capacity, but shucks I didn%u2019t mean to and should not have but I don%u2019t think it was many. She said it serve him meaning GBII, not the American people the Cult leader Bush, puck.

[incog-nito]

Good God! Surely she must have known she was getting involved in the most corrupt and inept adminitration in US history. For someone of supposed intelligence to hold such a position, she sound like a remarkable niave person.
Posted by clestes at 10:58 AM : May 23, 2007

Goodling is not naive. She comes from the same mold as the other Bushies and shares the same philosophy.

[ioweign]

These hirings (or non-hirings) actions are going to cost the Federal Gov't some big bucks from discrimination lawsuits. Since this is sooo political maybe the Republican Party can step up to the plate and cover its price. I do not feel that the American tax payer should pickup the cost of this "POLITICAL ACTIVITY"!

[forthepeopl1]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:51 AM : May 23, 2007
+ report abuse
---------------------------------

--------------------------------------
--
-------

they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:47 AM : May 23, 2007
report abuse
---------------------------------

--------------------------------------
--
-------

if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

they are the ones that started this and we will finnish it now..we the people will take our country back and everyone in washington can sit there and thinks we the people are ok with what they are doing..go ahead and let them think that we are comming to take them out

[pepperp1]

Call the Bar she just admitted she committed a crime a Loyal Bushier admitted she committed a crime and that her bosses new it, FINALLY, impressive, but the rest she doesn%u2019t think, can%u2019t remember, you know same RNC sound bite no credibility. Yet the republicans congressmen continue to be apologist for this criminal action, they really could give a rats xss about the integrity of the DOJ. And they way they say at the pleasure of sounds like an s-x act when they say it, again Republicans he can appoint he can set priority, but after that the USA%u2019s serve the American people and the rule of law

[pepperp1]

%u2026The representative from Calif just moved the bar past the criminal code, while you have admitted you committed a committed a crime but say you did really mean to do you, Ms Goodling do you believe, you violated the constitution. No of course not. Congressman, ever hear of the right to assemble, and why not just ask the doorman his opinion%u2026%u2026%u2026%u2026..!

[forthepeopl1]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:51 AM : May 23, 2007
+ report abuse
---------------------------------

--------------------------------------
--
-------

they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 09:47 AM : May 23, 2007
report abuse
---------------------------------

--------------------------------------
--
-------

if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

they are the ones that started this and we will finnish it now..we the people will take our country back and everyone in washington can sit there and thinks we the people are ok with what they are doing..go ahead and let them think that we are comming to take them out

[padrigo17us]

That is so rogue. jwhitmann, this is not the point of commenting. And besides, you have bad taste.

[mudrose-2009]

Three strikes and yer out. Once again, nothing. So I think that this gawd awful committee should pack it up, pick it up and get the h/e/l/l out of town. To coin a phrase once again "the accusations don't seem to have any legs". The lamebrains just don't want to get it so like the Supplemental for the Troops here they go again with political theatre. Nice work people.

[padrigo17us]

We could save all Democrats and both independents if they be willing to convert and accept Allah as the one true God and Mohammed his prophet.
Posted by muslim2k8 at 12:22 PM : May 23, 2007

Who the hell are you to tell us what to choose?

[padrigo17us]

We could save all Democrats and both independents if they be willing to convert and accept Allah as the one true God and Mohammed his prophet.
Posted by muslim2k8 at 12:22 PM : May 23, 2007

Who the hell are you to tell us what to choose?

[gkc99]

It's funny how Jesus said that a rich person could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven yet here are all these born-agin Jeezis-Jumpers serving the rich. Will they be joining Jerry Fallwell in Hell?

[forthepeopl1]

INSTEAD OF THE BRITISH ARE COMMING THE BRITISH ARE COMMING..

WASHINGTON WILL BE SAYING THE AMERICANS ARE COMMING THE AMERICANS ARE COMMING.

THE END IS NEAR....FOR CONGRESS AND THE WHITEHOUSE

[padrigo17us]

It's funny how Jesus said that a rich person could not enter the Kingdom of Heaven yet here are all these born-agin Jeezis-Jumpers serving the rich. Will they be joining Jerry Fallwell in Hell?
Posted by gkc99 at 12:26 PM : May 23, 2007

What exactly is that supposed to mean?

[mudrose-2009]

We could save all Democrats and both independents if they be willing to convert and accept Allah as the one true God and Mohammed his prophet.
Posted by muslim2k8 at 12:22 PM : May 23, 2007

Who the hell are you to tell us what to choose?
Posted by padrigo17us

Oh, don't take it too personally. Muslim2k8 has some good posts. Inflamatory? Oh, yeah. But they really hit home. Half of the jokers on here would rather cut the throat of an American rather than protect their country. Listen to the rants.

[pepperp1]

A house divided can't stand... From you own Jesus... You are your own worst enemy... Everyone else outside of the U.S. is relishing how you after each other's throats... Thanks!!! The revolution is working as planned... Lenin was rigt... Useful idiots one and all!!!
Posted by muslim2k8 at 12:27 PM : May 23, 2007

HATE TO BREAK IT TO YOU muslim2k8 but we can debate and disagree without blowing each other up. You have won nothing.

[jrayb]

FACT or FICTION??
"Since 2001 the Justice Department hired over 150 graduates of Regents University (which was founded by Pat Robertson)".

Where can I find verifiable information to support the above (to ensure that it's not something that was just put there to see how much attention it would receive). Thanks...

[realpatriot1]

muslim2k8,

I know that you're really about as Muslim as Barat but I have to ask, what would you call the House of Islam? A house divided killing one another perhaps?

Secondly, I'd love to hear your plan for taking over Amrican society. I always thought you wanted to destroy our society but the neo-con freaks on here are now telling us that the Muslims actually want to occupy America. That might work about as well as our occupation of Iraq.

You should make a movie about your plans to establish Sharia law, force Americans to learn Arabic, beat the women and children,kill the ***,etc. That kind of neurotic jingoist garbage went over really well in the 80s with Red Dawn. Just substitute Muslims for Russians and the con crazies will run to the box office!

You'll have a lot more money to give the RNC!

[jonqpublicus]

Unbelieveable! This is the most corrupt administration in history. On top of that the damage is compounded by complicit news outlets like Fox, CBS, ABC. She worked for RNC as a opposition researcher. (Hitmsn) Nice.

[pepperp1]

%u2026The representative from Calif just moved the bar past the criminal code, while you have admitted that you a committed a crime but say you did not really mean to break the law do you Ms Goodling believe, you violated the Constitution? No of course not replies Ms Goodling? Congressman, ever hear of the right to assemble, and why not just ask the doorman his opinion! Ms Goodlings opinion on the question if politics were used in the selection of the USA%u2019s to be dismissed is irrelevant, she just admitted as an Officer of the Court, member of the Bar and a High Level Official at the Justice Department of the United States she broke the law and criminally used a partisan litmus test to deny employment to individuals regardless of qualification that she perceived were not loyal enough to HIM GBII.

[jimkun]

I'll second the motion that this is the most corrupt administration in history. One can't figure out what is the truth because each person in the administration tells their own version which conflicts with everyone else's version. So much for accountability. Thanks Dubya.

[jwhitmann]

What a hottie....I wonder who's di*k she suck*d

No offense, just pretending it's the 1990's

[jwhitmann]

What a hottie....I wonder who's di*k she suck*d

No offense, just pretending it's the 1990's

[clestes-2009]

So we are suppose to believe that Kyle Sampson and Monica Gooding drew up the list of US prosecutors to be fired?? With no input from Rove or Gonzo?? And they expect us to believe this!!!

There is no end to the stupidity, duplicity, incompetence and outright illegalities of this the every bumbling Bush administration.

Every week from now on till God knows when, we are going to hear about deaths of US soldiers and how many laws Bush and his goons have managed to break.

America will NEVER be free of the stain of this administration, nor should we be either. It has been a failing on all levels to allow Bush to screw up as royally as he has.

[arthurcl1]

Ha, Emperor Dynastic George Bushes Watergate!
His people are stating their explanations were incomplete or inaccurate???
McNulty's explanation, on Feb. 6, "was incomplete or inaccurate in a number of respects," Goodling told a packed House Judiciary Committee inquiry into the firings.

[tajomari]

Even after they gave thsi b--- immunity, she still would not tell the complete truth. She should have been forced to testify without immunty. Now she can get away with this crime.

[huskerarmy]

"One word for you: Barak.... How many of the "brown ones" coming in across the Rio Grande are cell members?"
Posted by muslim2k8

You righties are becoming more disgusting by the day.

[forthepeopl1]

also get it in all blogs across the internet that its time for a american coop.

david a belanger,us army vet, [e-mail]

get it out.....get it out there
Posted by forthepeopl1 at 12:43 PM : May 23, 2007
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EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO HELP WITH THIS SHOULD BE TALKING TO ALL MEDIA OUTLETS AND TELLING THEM THAT AMERICANS ARE READY TO TAKE WASHINGTON ON AND ITS NOT A FEW AMERICANS ITMILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT WILL TAKE BACK THERE COUNTRY..

I AM WILLING TO GIVE MY BLOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK TO WHAT OUR FORFATHERS WANTED.

AM A VET AND AM READY TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS AMERICAN BOYCOT/COOP IF WE THE PEOPLE DONT DO THIS NOW WE WILL BE GIVENING UP ON OUR CONSTITUTION AND WHAT ALL OUR VET HAVE DIED FOR..

DAVID A BELANGER,VET US ARMY,[e-mail]

[huskerarmy]

"Oh, don't take it too personally. Muslim2k8 has some good posts. Inflamatory? Oh, yeah. But they really hit home. Half of the jokers on here would rather cut the throat of an American rather than protect their country. Listen to the rants."
Posted by mudrose
O.K. mudrose, out with it... why the sock?

[BlueInWI]

You can thank the Supreme Joke (errr... Court) for this whole mess. When they appointed King George back in December of 2001 even though Gore had over 540,000 more votes nationwide, we started down this slippery slope toward fascism.

When you have a Supreme Court that supposedly believes in State's Rights, overturn State court rulings regarding elections and then say 'this ruling sets no precedent but is a one time occurance' you know the Court is corrupt and the Constitution null and void.

Bend over America and order another tube of Vaseline.

[bareemperor]

Another
Lying
President
-
Another
Monica
-
wow

[antoniof123]

You know if no one was dying it would be funny but the fact is that this is the worst administration in American history. Jimmy you were right so you should not say never mind.

[dlpracer]

Unbelieveable! This is the most corrupt administration in history. On top of that the damage is compounded by complicit news outlets like Fox, CBS, ABC. She worked for RNC as a opposition researcher. (Hitmsn) Nice.

Posted by jonqpublicus at 12:39 PM : May 23, 2007

-------

...Gonzo had a good teacher:

The Clinton Legacy:

- The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- First president accused of rape.
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court