The Justice Department today said they will not oppose the granting of immunity to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales' former legal counsel and liaison to the White House, Monica Goodling.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, Michigan Democrat, said today he's going to expedite the process of applying to a federal judge for Ms. Goodling's immunity, after which his committee will be able to schedule a hearing with Ms. Goodling.
Mr. Conyers said he will ask Ms. Goodling about "the possible politicization in the department's prosecutorial function," Mr. Conyers said.
Ms. Goodling's attorney, John M. Dowd, told the Associated Press that his client will testify and "will be honest and clear and she'll work very hard to answer all questions."
The Justice Department's decision was relayed by two oversight officials at Justice, Inspector General Glenn Fine and H. Marshall Jarrett, legal counsel to the office of professional responsibility (OPR).
Mr. Fine's office and OPR are already conducting their own investigation into the firing of eight federal prosecutors last year. They are also investigating whether Ms. Goodling improperly screened applicants for federal prosecutor positions for their political affiliations and beliefs.
"As we previously discussed with the committee staff in response to their questions, the OIG/OPR joint investigation is in its early stages, and we intend to take the investigation wherever it leads," Mr. Fine and Mr. Jarrett said in their letter. "As in any investigation that potentially could involve evidence of criminal conduct, we would prefer that any potential subject not be granted immunity at this stage of the investigation."
"However, we understand the committee's interest in obtaining Ms. Goodling's testimony. Therefore, after balancing the significant congressional and public interest against the impact of the committee's actions on our ongoing investigation, we will not raise an object or seek a deferral," the letter said.
-- Jon Ward, White House correspondent, The Washington Times
