JUDGE Grants Goodling Immunity In DOJ Probe

[kpete]

Goodling granted immunity in DOJ probe


By MATT APUZZO Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — A federal judge approved an immunity deal Friday allowing former Justice Department aide Monica Goodling to testify before Congress about the firing of eight federal prosecutors.

Goodling, who served as the department's White House liaison, has refused to discuss the firings without a guarantee that she will not be prosecuted. Congress agreed to the deal, Justice Department investigators reluctantly agreed not to not oppose it and U.S. District Judge Thomas Hogan gave it final approval Friday.

"Monica Goodling may not refuse to testify," Hogan began his brief order, which said that Goodling could not be prosecuted for anything other than perjury in connection with her testimony.

...................

Goodling's lawyer has said that, with an immunity seal, she would cooperate and testify honestly.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4796045.html

[KansDem]

1. WTF?

Goodling's lawyer has said that, with an immunity seal, she would cooperate and testify honestly.

So without immunity, she would be dishonest and uncooperative??? :rofl:

Remind me to use this argument the next time I'm called into court:
"Uh, Your Honor, I request that I not be held responsible or accountable for my actions. If you don't grant me this immunity, I'm going to lie and stonewall...OK?"

edited...

[ET Awful]

7. No, without the agreement, she would refuse to answer any questions and plead the Fifth.

Basically, she would use her Constitutional right against self-incrimination.

By granting her immunity, the Judge completely removed her ability to plead the Fifth, since, with immunity, there is no risk of self incrimination.

[CatWoman]

8. I've really missed seeing those friendly, fuzzy faces

:hi:

Hope Quinn and Althea are doing ok :)

[ET Awful]

9. They're fine!

And :hi: right back at ya :)

[KansDem]

10. Well, then perhaps her lawyer should have said that...

...instead of making it sound like, without immunity, his client would stonewall and lie.

I'm not a lawyer but it seems to me if you want immunity for your client to avoid self incrimination, then say "I want immunity for my client so she can avoid self incrimination."

But, I suppose, there's a greater intellect at play here than mine...

[rasputin1952]

2. Dum,,,de-dum-dum, it will be a while before this takes off, but

it isn't good for Gonzo nad the boys in the Monkey House....:D

It shoould not be too long before we hear about "Bedtime for Gonzo"...:D

[liberalnurse]

4. I still won't get my hope up....

To not be compelled to be honest under oath from the beginning makes me feel like the glass is just half-full if you measure the truth meter with a glass of water. These *bushies are clueless to the concept of integrity.:scared:

[rasputin1952]

11. I concur, they ahve no concept of integrity at all...

and for that, the RW praises them...:wtf:

Odd world we live in, I can't wait until reality crashes down on these people.

[HereSince1628]

5. Goodling can do an "North-Poindexter"

Take the blame completely, absolve the other crooks, and walk away a Neoconservative heroine.
By Jan. 2009 she could turn that status into a conservative talk radio show worth million$.

[rasputin1952]

12. I think she is going to squeal like a pig...

There is no love lost in this group, and they have no concept of 'loyalty'...it's a one person takes all mentality, "I've got mine, screw everyone else"...:(

[Blackhatjack]

3. As soon as she commits perjury, they need to put the screws to her...

I have a hard time believing she will testify truthfully and fully about everything she knows.

It would probably be a good idea to make sure all her life insurance premiums are paid up to date if she has decided to comply with all of the terms of this grant of immunity.

[maine_raptor]

6. Wow, two in one day, kpete.

Two stories that got me firin' up the popcorn machine.

First the House vote on wire tapping, an now this.

Thanks.

Things are indeed looking up.

Time to sing like a bird, Monica.

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. What happened in the House with Wiretapping?? I missed it! n/t

[maine_raptor]

20. Here Ya Go

see: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x867522

[BuyingThyme]

14. Am I correct in assuming that this woman never took the Fifth?

Or did I miss something?

[meldroc]

16. She said she would take the Fifth if she was compelled to testify.

Of course, now she can no longer do that...

[BuyingThyme]

17. They should NEVER allow people to do this.

If she doesn't want to answer questions, make her take the Fifth.

This gal is being handled like a fragile kitten.

[meldroc]

15. No more Fifth for you. Now SING, buzzard!

I'm presuming she's getting use immunity, meaning that her testimony cannot be used by prosecutors as evidence against her for crimes, but she still can be prosecuted for those crimes if evidence is found elsewhere, that can't be linked to her testimony (no fruit from the poisoned tree...)

She's no longer allowed to plead the Fifth - she will be legally required to testify on her crimes and the crimes of those around her, and yes, if she gets caught committing perjury during her testimony, she can get prosecuted for that.

[Blackhatjack]

18. '...and everything she testified to can be used against her'(finishing your sentence, LOL)

[meldroc]

19. Ah, yes - if she gets busted for perjury, the immunity goes away. n/t

[symbolman]

21. This time I want a Republican to STAIN

a dress worn by a Monica.. let's say that Gonzo PUKES on her Blue Dress from RAW FEAR that he'll go to Federal PRISON when She spills the beans..

Yeah, yeah.. that would be FINE :)

[DaveT]

22. She might go at it like Gonzales

and say:

"Gee, I just don't remember why we wanted to fire those guys. I know it was for honorable reasons -- that much I'm sure about. Absolutely honorable. No doubt about that. But, specifically? The particular reasons why we fired them? Uh, I'm so sorry, but I just can't recall what the reason was."

[Infomaniac]

23. I hope not. I'm sure the Dems got a formal proffer from Gooding's lawyer.

I think that's standard in any type of immunity agreement since Ollie North did his Potomac two-step in the '80s. The person getting the immunity has to proffer what he or she will say before being granted immunity.