Did Gonzales Obstruct Justice By Attempting To ‘Shape’ Goodling’s Testimony?

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/05/23/gonzales-obstruction/

Did Gonzales Obstruct Justice By Attempting To ‘Shape’ Goodling’s Testimony?

In a damaging revelation made late in her testimony today, Monica Goodling disclosed that right before she took a leave of absence from the Department of Justice, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales personally attempted to shape her future testimony to Congress about the U.S. attorney purge.

Describing it as an “uncomfortable” conversation, Goodling claimed that in a personal meeting with Gonzales, he “laid out for me his general recollection…of some of the process…regarding the replacement of the U.S. attorneys.” After he had “laid out a little bit of it,” Gonzales asked Goodling if she “had any reaction to his iteration.” She then added:

I remember thinking at that point that this was something that we were all going to have to talk about, and I didn’t know that it was — I just — I didn’t know that it was maybe appropriate for us to talk about that at that point.

Rep. Arthur Davis (D-AL) asked her if she felt the Attorney General was trying to “shape your recollection,” to which she replied “no.” But Goodling acknowledged she was “uncomfortable” with the conversation. Watch it at link~

Gonzales’ conversation with Goodling took place on either March 14th or 15th, a week after “the House Judiciary Committee requested that Goodling testify before the committee.” Goodling’s testimony indicates that the Attorney General may have crossed “into a borderline area of coaching a likely witness before the eventual testimony.” More importantly, Gonzales’ attempts to coach a witness could potentially be viewed as an obstruction of justice. Here’s 18 USC section 1505:

Whoever corruptly, or by threats or force, or by any threatening letter or communication influences, obstructs, or impedes or endeavors to influence, obstruct, or impede…the due and proper exercise of the power of inquiry under which any inquiry or investigation is being had by either House, or any committee of either House or any joint committee of the Congress–

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

Yet another example of why there is “no confidence” in Alberto Gonzales.

more...

[Kagemusha]

1. Sounds like the only part of the obstruction law applying is "corruptly"

since one can't really call it threats. But one can call it corrupt by its very nature. About as softly and non-threatening as possible, but reeking of corruption.

[Botany]

2. Yes n/t

[pinto]

3. Layman's point of view here; it sure sounds like it. Definitely goes over the line

of appearance of propriety that is a basic standard for lawyers, as far as I understand. Any new word on the "no confidence" movement in the Congress? I've lost track.

[babylonsister]

4. I've read it's being delayed until after their 2-week break. nt

[NastyRiffraff]

5. She was right to feel "uncomfortable"

She likely knew what Gonzo was doing, and that it was potentially illegal.

Rarely, if ever, does someone in Gonzo's position sit someone down and say "Look, here's my version of events, and if you're called to testify, that's what I want your story to be." It's usually much more subtle, although Gonzo's asking if she "had any reaction to his iteration" wasn't so subtle. In fact, Goodling herself said that that was when she began feeling uncomfortable about the conversation.

Yeah, I would too.

It'll be interesting to see how the DOJ hits her back.

[burrowowl]

6. Go to Find Law and Dean's latest

column on Gonzo. Very interesting analysis!

[calimary]

7. Seems as though gonzales obstructs justice just by getting up in the morning.

Or maybe breathing. Or maybe changing his shorts. Blowing his nose. Brushing his teeth.

That's all he's about. To obstruct justice so bush stays protected. He did it in Texas. He's doing it now. That's all he's there for.

[zulchzulu]

8. "...but he's a very nice man..."

Goodling is not going to make Christmas 07 alive due to her revelations... Gonzo The Torturist has her in his sights.

[AuntPatsy]

9. Most definately, by doing such he created a conflict of interest since he himself

is under the gun.

[Eurobabe]

10. The master of 'I don't recall' suddenly remembers something?

Wow. I'm shocked. :eyes: