Holy Cow! Monica Goodling Will Plead The 5th !!!!!!

[Blackhatjack]

THe DOJ Liasion to the WHite House. THis is big.

THis is not an 'Executive Privilege' argument. THis is the right to remain silent and not incriminate herself.

This is a big one --Watergate style.

[RL3AO]

1. Like it or not, she has the right.

[grasswire]

2. I don't see anyone saying she doesn't have the right (eom)

[AndyA]

8. Exactly.

This tends to verify that illegal activities have taken place. You don't plead the 5th without considering it very carefully.

[WinkyDink]

33. And you aren't curious as to why she's exercising it?

[Blackhatjack]

34. This is not hard to figure out --look at her job description...

A counsellor to Gonzales and the Liasion with the White House from the Department of Justice.

[Chimichurri]

44. Average news watchers will see this as more Bush admin corruption

irregardless of what her rights are. This looks terribly bad and will only hurt them further.

[kiteinthewind]

51. Well, don't you seem pleased. Thanks for letting us in on that tidbit, oh, and welcome to

Democratic Underground.
:sarcasm:

[durtee librul]

3. Ok, so she pleads the 5th

now what? Where do you go from there?

[Iwasthere]

4. Exactly!

You know what is coming. They are ALL going to do this. Then what?

[kestrel91316]

5. LOL, you cut a deal and she sings.

[depakid]

36. Yep. Grant her immunity and she has to testify.

And it doesn't even have to be transactional immunity- though it seems to me that in this case that might be wise, since there are obviously much bigger fish to fry.

[kestrel91316]

42. And while you're at it, since she feels she needs the 5th.

subpoena every email she's EVER sent or received from her office there.

I think she's probably got all sort of incriminating evidence with her signature on it.

BTW, isn't it past time to whip out the RICO statutes and use them on these freaks??? I mean, really..........

[depakid]

47. As to RICO

I'm not sure that it would applies vis a vis employees withins the Justice Department. A Bivens action would probably also not be allowed, but I haven't researched these issues (or heard anyone with knowledge talk about them) so I can't say.

There's related case before the Supreme Court (though a private individual is the potential plaintiff v. the BLM):

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/3/22/84747/8611

I would bet the US Attorney's know what's up in detail. ;-)

Seems to me with the facts we have, Gonzales at least can be held to answer on Contempt of Congress (obstruction) and on Perjury charges. Not sure what remedies might apply against the likes of Rove & Meiers... or Bush. Stay tuned.

[kestrel91316]

48. My personal theory about the whole USA thing is a conspiracy

at DOJ and with the WH to rig the next election. And to rig the entire legal system so that they can target Dems specifically and deny them due process.

Why did they wait til after the 2006 election to get rid of USAs with alleged performance issues?

[KansDem]

12. You waterboard her...

And that's a big "okie-dokie" with this administration! After all, "if she has nothing to hide, then she has nothing to fear..."

[gatorboy]

24. I believe Gonzo would approve.

[hang a left]

19. Immunity.

Unless you can get someone else to give up information.

[Marr]

39. Pleading the 5th doesn't make you immune from incrimination, of course.

Just self incrimination by way of testimony. Evidence is still there to be looked at, and it seems to me like she'd be a prime candidate for bargaining.

[Blackhatjack]

43. It means she elects to remain silent, and the Prosecution continues making its case...

It is a red flag to the prosecution, and they are free to question everyone around her, seek all documents, and fully investigate her.

It often is a 'signal' from defense counsel to the prosecutor that she would be open to negotiating a plea bargain in exchange for her complete cooperation and truthful testimony.

Most prosecutors require a 'proffer' of what she might testify to before they seal the deal on a plea bargain with her. So she and her attorney would likely give up a 'big player' in order to seal the deal.

[donco6]

46. What Blackhatjack said.

Yes - especially the signal to plea bargain. Be great if she had some good dirt.

[napi21]

6. Nice try, but all that will do is make Gonzo look more guilty!

She may be a liason to the Wh, but she is a legal advisor to Gonzo! If she's not willing to testify, that does nothing but make it look MORE like they have something BIG to hide!

[Blackhatjack]

7. You cannot plead the 5th Amend Privilege without good faith belief you will incriminate yourself

She is an attorney. SHe knows the practical significance of this.

THIs means that she believes there are crimes which could be charged against her if she were to testify. THe proof is still up to the government authority.

[NNN0LHI]

9. Very Nixonian. Heres a link

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aYXEgusB_EyI&refer=us

Gonzales Aide Won't Answer Questions About Prosecutor Firings

By James Rowley

March 26 (Bloomberg) -- Monica Goodling, a counsel to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales who helped coordinate the dismissals of eight U.S. attorneys, will invoke her constitutional right not to answer Senate questions about the firings, her lawyer said.

Goodling, one of four Justice Department officials the agency said could be interviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee, will invoke her Fifth Amendment privilege not to answer the panel's questions, John M. Dowd, her lawyer, said in a statement. Dowd said the committee had requested her testimony under oath.

``The hostile and questionable environment in the present congressional proceedings is at best ambiguous; more accurately the environment can be described as legally perilous for Ms. Goodling,'' Dowd said in a letter to Senator Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who chairs the panel. Dowd cited statements by senators accusing the Justice Department of misleading Congress.

The Judiciary Committee is investigating whether the firings were carried out for improper political purposes, such as interfering with criminal investigations.

Goodling, 33, has served as a Justice Department spokeswoman and as an aide to Gonzales, where she functioned as a liaison with the White House.

[Jim__]

10. Can congress force her to testify by immunizing her?

If so, they could immunize her to get to the bigger fish - Gonzo and others.

[ljm2002]

14. Seems like that would be the logical next step...

...here'e hoping!

[Gabi Hayes]

15. can you say Hollywood Ten? they went to PRISON for refusing to

testify before congress. I don't know if they were offered immunity, but I'm pretty sure this woman will be made such an offer.

I can't wait to see the wingnut spinners spin themselves off into the Oort Cloud over this one.

[CrazyOrangeCat]

18. Yes!

She knows she's in deep.

:popcorn:

[Iwasthere]

26. But she is gone

And probably won't return (with the same face anyway)

[AndyA]

11. She's a good Christian, graduated from Regent (Christian) University.

Congress could issue a grant of immunity to her, but they normally want to know what information you can provide them first.

Pleading the 5th is an admission of guilt.

[karlrschneider]

16. Regent? Woah, that's Pat ROBert$on's gig. Don't they teach them to be truthful there?

Oh, wait...

:eyes:

[AndyA]

21. Her education at God's university has paid off for her.

She was sick the afternoon they taught about being truthful, so you really can't blame her for that... :eyes:

:sarcasm:

[Blackhatjack]

13. Her lawyer made the announcement, and there is no doubt that 'blood is in the water' now...

A failure to testify before Congress can be met with a contempt of Congress charge. However, by invoking the 5th Amendment privilege, she will not be charged with contempt of Congress.

The trade off is that you can bet everyone is going to be examining her actions very carefully since it implies she believes she could be charged with one or more crimes.

It is also a linchpin for the Congressional Investigatory Committee to look at the cast of characters around her for criminal activity. So what was her job? Acting as the Liason from the DOJ and to the White House. I would guess the notice that she was taking an indefinite leave of absence on Monday was the first warning bell that she is the bridge to the White House.

[Rex]

17. Looks like the BFEE just admitted to criminal activity in the DoJ.

No other reason to plead the 5th.

[Supersedeas]

49. apparently they don't consider obstruction of justice a crime

[Rex]

50. True. They adapted over the years. It started with removing consideration

over 'conflict of interest' events. If it made a buck and helped the GOP, then it was above the law or immune. Now evidently starting a war based on lies is okay and what the hell, maybe starting another one as soon as possible so America can focus on something else.

They don't follow any law but one, the law of the Bottom Line.

[Blackhatjack]

20. This is the money quote "...environment can be described as legally perilous for Ms. Goodling"

``The hostile and questionable environment in the present congressional proceedings is at best ambiguous; more accurately the environment can be described as legally perilous for Ms. Goodling,'' Dowd said in a letter to Senator Patrick Leahy.

You do not use the words 'legally perilous' lightly as defense counsel.

Just one interpretation: She cannot testify truthfully without implicating yourself in the commission of a crime, NOT AN ETHICAL VIOLATION OR BUNGLED ANNOUNCEMENT, and if you fail to testify truthfully you can be charged with perjury, also a crime.

I think her lawyer has advised her, just stop and remain silent, wait until it appears that the Government has evidence to prove criminal charges against you. If others decide to cooperate and turn state's evidence, we need to get in early to cut the best deal for you.

You do not advise your client to invoke the 5th Amendment privilege for any kind of ethical violation. There is something big under the surface and this announcement is a giant red flag.

[PhilipShore]

22. Abramoff talking?

This is my guess, Abramoff wants the DOJ to catch some big fish.

[AndyA]

23. That is exactly right!

There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever now that illegal activities have been going on. Now we'll just see how high up they go. The AG isn't that far away from the VP and Pres. (Hoping...hoping...)

[Blackhatjack]

25. We just ratcheted up the Investigations of the White House.....

Someone may find it helpful to look at the list of White House officials that have already retained private counsel --starting back when Bush and CHeney retained their own counsel before being 'interviewed' by Patrick Fitzgerald in the Plame matter.

I am betting there are plenty of private attorneys under retainer to WHite House officials right now.

[gatorboy]

27. So is this normal?

Taking the 5th prior to ANY questions being asked?

I wonder whose bright idea that was....

[Blackhatjack]

28. It was the right idea for her, but it must be driving the WH crazy....n/t

[gatorboy]

29. It's just that I've seen individuals take the 5th DURING questioning.

Pleading the 5th before ANY questions are asked just looks so.....BAD. It's as if they don't trust her to talk at all.

[Blackhatjack]

32. Invoking the 5th has nothing to do with the Congress and their questions...

THis is an informed decision that the individual makes before answering questions.

Any lawyer worth their salt always advises the client to invoke the 5th Amendment Privilege BEFORE questions are asked, if she meets the criteria.

And it is possible for Congress to give her immunity and then she has to testify.

[Iwasthere]

31. Yep. There are some VI meetings going on right now.

Would love to be a fly on the wall. Hopefully we will be able to see some hearings very soon.

[Blackhatjack]

30. Another telling quote from her attorney...

"The potential for legal jeopardy for Ms. Goodling from even her most truthful and accurate testimony under these circumstances is very real," said the lawyer, John Dowd.

She cannot tell the truth without admitting a crime occurred.

THere can never be a reason for Dept of Justice Officials to refuse to testify truthfully before Congress.

THis story is going to get bigger by the hour....

[Blackhatjack]

35. Get out the popcorn folks! I predict She is the first of many .... n/t

[Blackhatjack]

37. CNN just reported one of the DOJ officials that testified planned to make her fall guy...

One of the top Dept of Justice officials that testified before Congress has confided to CHuck Schumer that he testified inaccurately because underlings withheld information from him in his preparation to testify.

CNN speculated that Monica Goodlin and Kyle Sampson were likely involved, and that she likely felt she would be set up as the fall guy.

If I had to guess, it would be top DOJ official Peter McNulty that is referred.

[Ilsa]

38. Ha HA! Even Blitzer says when one starts pleading the 5th,

...others seem to quickly follow.

Can't wait to see who comes up next with their plea to get in on the immunity deal.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

40. tweety just heard the news from adam putnam

his expression was like an OMG moment.
edit typo

[Blackhatjack]

41. How can Tweety have been uninformed?

THis is much bigger than they are playing it for right now.

[Blackhatjack]

45. Hmmm... does she know where Susan Ralston might be found? n/t