Gonzo's Lawyer Quits Civil Case. Another Sign That Prosecutor Is Circling?

[Ichingcarpenter]

It's looking more and more like prosecutor Nora Dannehy's investigation into the US Attorney firings has Alberto Gonzales in its crosshairs.

Earlier this week we reported that Dannehy had contacted the ex-AG in connection with the probe.

Now, we've been tipped to legal filings showing that Gonzales' lawyer, George Terwilliger Jr. of White & Case, is no longer representing Gonzo in a separate case, a civil suit alleging that law students were denied DOJ jobs thanks to illegal politicization at the department under Gonzales.

The filing, dated November 25, reads:
Please enter the withdrawal of George J. Terwilliger III as counsel in this case for Defendant Alberto R. Gonzales, pursuant to Local Civil Rule 83.6(b).
Beneath that, Gonzales has signed his name, giving his consent to the withdrawal.

The previous day, in a separate filing, Gonzales had officially introduced a new team of attorneys as replacements, it would appear, for Terwilliger.
Please enter the appearance of Vincent H. Cohen, Jr., Peter Taylor, Lisa Fishberg and the law firm of Schertler & Onorato, LLP, on behalf of Defendant Alberto R. Gonzales.
What does this have to do with the Dannehy investigation?

It would appear that the most obvious reason for Terwilliger to withdraw from the civil suit is to be able to devote additional time to Dannehy's more serious investigation into criminal wrong-doing.


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/gonzos_lawyer_quits_civil_case.php

[malaise]

1. Maybe the lawyer heard that Bush is going to pardon Gonzo

I hope Dannehy does not grab this haul before PE Obama is inaugurated.

[ThomWV]

2. Just one more reason to get paid before beginning legal work for any of these clowns.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. Timing is everything because Bush needs a specific crime

to pardon and is not allowed to pardon carte blanche. I hope
she can drag it out and on Jan 21 press charges against him.

[malaise]

4. Bingo

Let them sweat. No charges before Jan 22.

[Mist]

5. That's the smart way to play it--no charges until after the inauguration! I'm rubbing

my hands in anticipation of just how many lawsuits will be filed after January 20, '09!

[gratuitous]

7. Nah, Bush can pardon him for anything

After all, Ford pardoned Nixon for anything Nixon might have done. There were no specific charges brought, and Nixon got to walk away from arguably the worst crimes in American history (due to his elevated position of trust).

[Pab Sungenis]

8. Sure, he can pardon carte blanche.

The Nixon and Weinberger pardons were carte blanche.

[hootinholler]

9. Um, Where does that come from?

Ford didn't need charges to pardon Nixon.

-Hoot

[nradisic]

6. Fitzmas?

Wow. That would be a Christmas present...Gonzo being frogmarched? Who's next? Turd Blossom?