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Ex-Justice Aide Points Fingers

Posted May 23, 07 1:26 PM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – The deputy attorney general dissembled in his Senate testimony about the US attorney firings, Monica Goodling told a House committee today. Testifying under limited immunity from prosecution, the AG's former White House liaison said Paul McNulty's account was "incomplete or inaccurate" and accused him of "downplaying" the White House's role in the firings.

Shedding little light on the decision-making process, Goodling said she did not discuss the ouster of nine federal prosecutors with Karl Rove or Harriet Miers before the fact. She did acknowledge asking about the political sympathies of applicants for career positions, a violation of federal law."I believe I crossed the line," she said, "but I didn't mean to."

Source Bloomberg

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Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling, left, is surrounded by news photographers prior to testifying on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, before the House Judiciary...   (Associated Press)
Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, prior to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan...   (Associated Press)
As her attorney John Dowd looks on at left, former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling takes her seat on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, prior to testifying before...   (Associated Press)
Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 23, 2007, prior to testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. (AP Photo/Susan...   (Associated Press)
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scandals • Karl Rove • Alberto Gonzales • US attorney • Harriet Miers • Monica Goodling • Senate hearings • Paul McNulty


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