Possible timeline shows Gonzales discussing US Attorneys with staff after launch of internal probe Michael Roston
Published: Friday June 1, 2007
An analysis of public testimony and dates by RAW STORY may reveal that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales continued to discuss the process that resulted in the firing of eight US Attorneys with members of his staff other than Monica Goodling after Justice Department offices began an internal investigation into the matter. Gonzales had insisted that he did not discuss the firings to avoid biasing the outcome of the investigation.
"At some point, it's clear that the Attorney General stopped talking to people," former White House liaison Monica Goodling told the House Judiciary Committee on May 23. "But it must have been -- I assume that it's after the point that I left the department or took leave."
A Justice Department spokesman, Dean Boyd, confirmed to RAW STORY via e-mail that Goodling began her leave of absence on Monday, March 19, after a staff meeting.
If Goodling was correct in saying that the Attorney General continued to discuss the process for the firings beyond the beginning of her leave of absence, it would mean that Gonzales falsely stated that he had avoided discussing various matters with his staff to preserve the integrity of the investigation. It would also imply that Gonzales discussed the process with staff other than Goodling.more at:
http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Gonzales_may_have_discussed_US_Attorneys_0601.html