Throughout the investigation of improper political influence on the Department of Justice’s hiring process, the DOJ’s inspector general interviewed 85 people — but only one from the White House.
The IG, Glenn Fine, testifying this morning before the Senate Judiciary Committee, said that Karl Rove aide Scott Jennings was the only White House official he sought to interview for his report released Monday.
“Why were no others at the White House questioned?” Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) asked Fine.
“From the evidence that we had, both emails and discussions, we did not see that others were involved in this process, and we questioned the person who was involved,” Fine said, referring to Jennings.
The process Fine was referring to was the partisan screening of prospective prosecutors and judges.
Yet Fine did note at least one exception, an example his report cited of a prospective immigration judge who was appointed after Rove expressed support for the candidate.
Fine was said he did not believe any of the misconduct described in his 140-page report called for criminal prosecution for false statements.
“We looked at that and clearly in our judgment and in the judgement of prosecutors who have been working on this case, we do not think there was a sufficient basis for a criminal prosecution for false statements.”
Late Update:
Here’s the exchange between Specter and Fine.