Judge Gives Immunity to Gonzales Aide

[Demeter]

Source: Washington Post

Judge Gives Immunity to Gonzales Aide

By Dan Eggen and Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, May 12, 2007; A05



A federal judge yesterday paved the way for a former aide to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to testify in Congress about the firings of U.S. attorneys, granting her limited immunity from prosecution so she can tell the House Judiciary Committee what she knows.

Under the order from Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan, Monica M. Goodling "may not refuse to testify, and may not refuse to provide other information" if asked by Congress.

The ruling allows Goodling's testimony on the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys last year, which has sparked a furor in Congress over senior Justice officials' shifting explanations for the firings.

The committee extended the offer of immunity after Goodling refused to testify or answer questions from congressional investigators, invoking her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination because of allegations that she may have played a role in providing false information to Congress....Hogan's order says that "no testimony or other information compelled under this order . . . may be used against" Goodling, except for prosecutions for perjury or giving a false statement.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/11/AR2007051102111.html?referrer=email

[Turbineguy]

1. Pat Robertson

is going to have to come up with a new strategy to infiltrate and take over the US Government.

And he needs to find better Moles.

[Spinzonner]

2. What about the Gonzales Defense

"I don't know" or "I Don't remember" ?

[bullimiami]

4. i believe she would amnesia herself right into jail on a contempt of congress charge.

[The Backlash Cometh]

12. I don't think she's allowed to plead amnesia.

Or the terms of her immunity would be revoked.

[Gman]

6. Congress had to know just exactly what she would testify to

before granting immunity. If her testimony deviates or waffles in any way from what she told them she would say, it's perjury and contempt of Congress.

[bullimiami]

3. this means he believes she committed crimes or he would have denied it.

ok now. here we go.

[Botany]

5. Way back when Alexander Butterfield told Congress Nixon had tapes ....

... Come on Monica Jesus wants you to ...

[Manifestor_of_Light]

7. Does anyone know when she is scheduled to testify, er, sing?

Is there a date certain? (legalese)

[firefox_fan]

11. When? When?

[Ian David]

8. Unless someone got a blowjob, the Repukes won't care. n/t

[TexasLawyer]

9. Goodling is really a piece of work

Colleagues Cite Partisan Focus by Justice Official

By ERIC LIPTON
Published: May 12, 2007

WASHINGTON, May 11 — Two years ago, Robin C. Ashton, a seasoned criminal prosecutor at the Department of Justice, learned from her boss that a promised promotion was no longer hers.


Monica Goodling is accused of partisan influence
in Justice Department hirings and firings.

“You have a Monica problem,” Ms. Ashton was told, according to several Justice Department officials. Referring to Monica M. Goodling, a 31-year-old, relatively inexperienced lawyer who had only recently arrived in the office, the boss added, “She believes you’re a Democrat and doesn’t feel you can be trusted.”

Ms. Ashton’s ouster — she left the Executive Office for United States Attorneys for another Justice Department post two weeks later — was a critical early step in a plan that would later culminate in the ouster of nine United States attorneys last year.

Ms. Goodling would soon be quizzing applicants for civil service jobs at Justice Department headquarters with questions that several United States attorneys said were inappropriate, like who was their favorite president and Supreme Court justice. One department official said an applicant was even asked, “Have you ever cheated on your wife?”

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/12/washington/12monica.html?em&ex=1179115200&en=9050c7561100aaa0&ei=5087%0A

[young_at_heart]

10. How many lawyers out there are incensed that someone with her schooling

and background ended up so high?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

15. Me,f or one.

[w4rma]

13. Bush has a Monica problem. (nt)

[yodermon]

14. Before everyone gets too happy about this...

Marcy Wheeler is worried about her testimony.

http://thenexthurrah.typepad.com/the_next_hurrah/2007/05/why_i_worry_abo.html

If emptywheel is worried, then I'm worried. Or at least not expecting any fireworks.