Monica Goodling
Monica Goodling was the Justice Department’s liaison to the White House and acted as senior counsel to the Attorney General. Prior to working for the Justice Department, according to McClatchy Newspapers, Goodling attended law school at Regent University, founded by Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson.
Goodling facilitated communications between White House staff and Justice Department officials, inclduing key officials Harriet Miers, Scott Jennings and Kyle Sampson. Goodling took part in several conversations among key staff to determine how to quietly install former Karl Rove aide Tim Griffin as US Attorney in Little Rock.
Monica resigned her position at the Justice Department on April 7, 2007. Goodling, along with other White House and Justice officials, has been asked to testify in front of Congress to discuss her involvement in the firing of US Attorneys. She initially announced on March 26, 2007 that she would invoke her 5th Amendmant right in lieu of testimony. Congress has since agreed to offer her immunity in exchange for her testimony.
Key Points:
Goodling had broad powers to hire and fire within the Justice Department
Both Goodling and Kyle Sampson were given broad discretionary powers by Attorney General Gonzales. A secret order signed by Gonzales in March of 2006 allowed Sampson and Goodling to hire and fire senior political appointees (although not US Attorneys), effectively cutting out other members of the Justice Department's senior leadership.
Goodling discussed how to skirt objections to the appointment of Tim Griffin.
Goodling took part in at least one conversation with Kyle Sampson and Karl Rove’s deputy Scott Jennings regarding the appointment of Tim Griffin. Claiming that they had a “senator problem” concerning Arkansas’ two Democratic senators, Goodling began brainstorming methods to place Griffin despite the objections.
Goodling coordinated for Republican officials to complain about US attorneys to the Justice Department.
On June 20, 2006, Scott Jennings contacted Goodling. A presidential nominee for the US Postal Board of Governors wished to meet with someone from the Justice Department to “discuss the USSATTY situation” in New Mexico. Because of the sensitive nature of such a meeting, Goodling agreed to meet personally.
Goodling also took part in phone conferences with Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM), in which Senator Domenici vented frustrations about the handling of voter fraud investigations by then-US Attorney’s David Iglesias.
Goodling invoked her 5th Amendmant right regarding Congressional testimony
On March 26, 2007, Monica Goodling’s lawyer wrote the Senate Judiciary Committee to state that his client would invoke her constitutional right to avoid self-incrimination. The letter argued that members of the Committee “have already reached conclusions about the matter under investigation and the veracity of testimony provided.”
The letter came after Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty called Senator Schumer to apologize for not telling the truth in his testimony, and to suggest that he had been inappropriately briefed before his testimony.
Goodling's lawyer and members of Congress negotiated a partial immunity for Goodling in exchange for her testimony. She will appear in front of the House on May 23, 2007.
Research by Will Thomas
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