Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Justice Dept. Hiring Practices Illegal: Report

Gonzales aides judged high-level applicants by their politics

Share

(Newser) – Alberto Gonzales’ Justice Department illegally discriminated against applicants for career positions based on political considerations, a new report by the department's inspector general finds. Gonzales’ White House liaison Monica Goodling routinely violated civil service laws by asking "What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him?," the Washingon Post reports.

Federal law distinguishes between political and career positions, forbidding officials from subjecting applicants for the latter  to the kind of litmus tests Goodling administered. It’s unclear if Goodling, Gonzales, or anyone else will face charges based on the report. Gonzales released a statement saying the findings exonerate him, Politico reports. His successor, Michael Mukasey, said he is “of course disturbed” by the findings.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks in this Tuesday, May 15, 2007 file photo, at the National Press Club in Washington.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks in this Tuesday, May 15, 2007 file photo, at the National Press Club in Washington.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks to the Fraternal Order of Police convention in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007.
U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales speaks to the Fraternal Order of Police convention in Louisville, Ky., Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007.   (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington in this file photo. Goodling could lose her law license over her hiring Justice Department tenure.
Former Justice Department White House liaison Monica Goodling testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington in this file photo. Goodling could lose her law license over her hiring Justice Department tenure.   (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.6.09
Galleon Scandal: Shocked, Shocked by Insider Trading
11.5.09
Rupert Murdoch Is Mad but Cute
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

63 Stories

Gonzales Changes Tune on 'Legitimate' CIA Probe

Ex-AG compares torture to speeding (really)

Sep 3, 09 4:53 PM CDT
(Newser) - Alberto Gonzales did not mean to endorse Eric Holder’s probe of alleged CIA torture during the Bush administration by calling it “legitimate,” the former AG tells the Washington Times, which broke the story. “I don't support the investigation by the department because this is a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • torture • Alberto Gonzales • Department of Justice • Attorney General • probe • Eric Holder • enhanced interrogation techniques • Central Intelligence Agency • CIA memos

Groups Move to Disbar Bush Lawyers Over Torture

Target Mukasey, Gonzalez, Ashcroft

May 18, 09 12:42 PM CDT
(Newser) - A coalition of mostly left-leaning organizations is attempting to get a gaggle of Bush officials disbarred for sanctioning torture, the Legal Times reports. In complaints filed with five state bar associations today, the groups accuse ex-attorneys general Michael Mukasey, Alberto Gonzalez, and John Ashcroft—along with nine others—of violating... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • torture • Alberto Gonzales • John Ashcroft • lawyer • Michael Mukasey • American Bar Association

OPINION

Bush AG, CIA Chief Slam Obama on Torture Memos


Apr 17, 09 7:48 AM CDT
(Newser) - Barack Obama made a dangerous mistake in yesterday releasing Justice Department memos about interrogation techniques from 2005, say former Attorney General Michael Mukasey and former CIA Director Michael Hayden. By releasing the details of these methods, Obama is eliminating a crucial intelligence tool—not just for his own administration but... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • CIA • torture • Department of Justice • Attorney General • Michael Hayden • Michael Mukasey • interrogation techniques • harsh interrogation • Obama administration • CIA director

 Bush Lawyer Authorized 
 Suspending 1st Amendment 

Yoo memo also let military attack buildings inside US

Mar 3, 09 4:23 AM CST
(Newser) - Immediately after 9/11 the Justice Department under President Bush approved military attacks on apartments and offices, high-tech surveillance of citizens, and a suspension of press freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment. The actions detailed in the newly released memo, co-written by John Yoo and sent to Alberto Gonzales, were seen... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Bush administration • Alberto Gonzales • Department of Justice • John Yoo • 9/11 attacks • torture memo • memo

 Holder:
 Waterboarding Is Torture 

But supports FISA, Patriot Act

Jan 15, 09 10:40 AM CST
(Newser) - Eric Holder minced no words when asked about waterboarding in his confirmation hearing today. “Waterboarding is torture,” the AG-designate said, a declaration neither Michael Mukasey nor Alberto Gonzales was willing to make. He said that, even in emergencies, the president couldn’t override the constitution. Republicans also leapt... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • Alberto Gonzales • Attorney General • Arlen Specter • Senate confirmation hearings • Michael Mukasey • confirmation hearings • Eric Holder • Obama administration • President Obama • Obama Cabinet

63 Stories


Today's findings go much further than report on entry-level positions
New York Times

Leahy says DoJ scandal harmed national security
Talking Points Memo

Text of the report (PDF)
U.S. Department of Justice

Mukasey's statement
Wall Street Journal


Politics 
TwitterFollow @NewserPolitics on Twitter

 
Alberto Gonzales • Department of Justice • Monica Goodling • Michael Mukasey • political appointee

from our news partners