Monica Goodling, a key figure in the politicization of the Justice Department during the Bush administration, has received a public reprimand from the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Lawyers Weekly reports.
The state bar found that Goodling committed “a criminal or deliberately wrongful act” that reflected poorly on her “honesty, trustworthiness or fitness to practice law,” the publication reports. The decision was reached in March but was made public Thursday.
Goodling, a former opposition researcher for the Republican National Committee and graduate of Regent University School of Law, arrived at the Justice Department at the start of the Bush administration. Former colleagues said she believed that part of her job was to bring people with conservative and Christian values to DOJ. She admitted to “crossing the line” by running afoul of civil service rules governing hiring decisions.
The bar’s decision notes that Goodling is working in the private sector and is not currently practicing law, according to Virginia Lawyers Weekly. Katie Uston, the assistant bar counsel who handled the matter before the subcommittee, told the publication that Goodling is working in market research in Arlington, Va. (just outside Washington, D.C.).
The decision is available here.
Ryan J. Reilly
Ryan J. Reilly is a D.C.-based reporter for TPM. Prior to joining TPM, he worked for a news website covering the Justice Department and was a researcher for Bloomberg News. His email address is ryan(at)talkingpointsmemo.com.
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