Gonzales to Cornyn: "Too Important to Let Go Unfilled," While 2 Section Heads Were Vacant for Year

[CorpGovActivist]

Gonzales to Senator Cornyn (R-TX): "But they're too important to let go unfilled for any period of time, quite frankly. And it's very, very important for me, even on an interim basis, the qualification, the judgment of the individuals serving in that position."

http://judiciary.house.gov/Media/PDFS/DOJDocsPt5-070320.pdf (page 1)

Meanwhile, Gonzales finally got around to filling the vacancies for these two section heads:

* Public Integrity Section (which investigates official corruption cases)
* Fraud Section (which has had an on-again, off-again investigation into Halliburton's foreign bribes)

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2007/03/16/rise-in-afghan-guerrilla-violence-expected/

March 16, 2007: "GONZALES QUIETLY FILLED two long-vacant jobs.

With no public announcement, the attorney general named permanent chiefs last week for the Public Integrity Section, which prosecutes government corruption cases and oversees Abramoff-related investigations, and for the Fraud Section. Bill Welch, deputy chief of the Public Integrity Section, moves up, as does Steve Tyrrell, acting chief of the Fraud Section.

Both posts were vacant for more than a year. A Justice spokesman says the delay was because of interviewing multiple candidates. 'It’s not something that can be done overnight,' he says."

Their explanations for why they do - or don't - act keep conflicting.

- Dave