Gonzales, DOJ Officials Sued By Attorneys

Six attorneys rejected from civil service positions at the Justice Department filed a lawsuit today against former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and three other top officials for allegedly violating their rights by taking politics into consideration in the hiring process.

Six attorneys rejected from civil service positions at the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Monica Goodling, and other top officials for allegedly violating their rights by taking politics into consideration in the hiring process. Collapse

The suit is an attempt to hold top officials accountable for the hiring scandal that ultimately led to Gonzales' resignation last year, said Daniel Metcalfe, the attorney for the plaintiffs who is also executive director of its Collaboration on Government Secrecy at American University's Washington College of Law.

"My clients wish that they hadn't had to bring this lawsuit -- they would have greatly preferred to be working inside the Justice Department, where by all rights they deserved to be, defending the government in court rather than standing as victimized examples of government wrongdoing," said Metcalfe, a former longtime Justice Department official.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Gary47]

Nail them, nail them good. Get them for all you can.

[cayuse1]

Unfortunately, job fairness was never the motive of the firings.

The purpose was to cover up the corruption the Republicans did not want exposed

Almost like JFK, MLK, RFK, Watergate, Iran/Contra, October Surprise

Why is more important than the process itself

Stopping corruption need to be the motive not fair job practice

[chronic]

Nary a peep from the mainstream traitorous media.



This nation is in deeeeeeep doo doo!!

[01202009]

It's a start, but where's the beef? These people should be doing time along with Jack Abramoff!

[marignymitch]

Because Republicans control the courts this suit will be rejected as soon as it hits the docket.

[KarateKid]

After this Gonzales won't be able to get a job at Taco Tio.

[rivrgrrl]

One more straw into the basket on the camel's back. Probably not the one to break it, but every little one helps.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

The real problem is all the Federal Prosecutors who went along with the Bush politicizing the Justice Dept. We need to sue them for failing to represent the interests of the American public. Instead they became the political prosecution committee to carry out vendettas against Democratic voter registration efforts.

[IslandGyal]

All that is going to happen, is McCasey will find some trumped up excuse to get the lawsuits thrown out, but at least the arses will have to fork over cash, stress and time, defending against it. That's cool.

[longislandlol]

I know of some friends in private and non-profit who were blatantly rejected from posts they were qualified for- and thrown overboard for young, inexperienced repubs. should they sue? so happy these noble attorneys will set this precedent for my friends..

[Marcee]

Not sure this case will help your friends in private or non profit employment. For sure, this case is an egregious violation of US Civil Service law where hiring and promotion are not to be tied to political or ideological affiliations. Looking at only 3 of Goodlings often repeated questions should clearly demonstrate the nonpartisan DOJ was transformed into a devoted tool for the Bush administration:1.Tell us about your political philosophy. 2. What is it about George W. Bush that makes you want to serve him? 3. Why are you a Republican?

[westcoastsc]

I'm just hoping that the person presiding in the the presidency can't pardon a civil suit.

[StillAmused]

Y'know that feeling of fulfillment when you devote yourself to an honorable objective, work really hard at it, then take pride in the good you've accomplished?

They don't.

At this point, it's a source of continuing amazement that Junior still has the cojones to appear in public.

Gonzo? He just doesn't know any better.

[nick1936]

Bush can't pardon them so if Obama wins this election it will be his test to appoint an AG who will enforce the law and slap them in jail if he doesn't do this if elected then he is just another corrupt Washington hack.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

IMPOSSIBLE! It might offend the crescient, Hispanic voting cohort for whom Gonzales is a "role model....." Besides, the more important investigation involves Rove and Gonzales in the frame-up conviction of the former Governor of ALABAMA!

[OldKnute]

Advocate,,, you MUST be joking.

Yes,,, there were calibrations when Alberto Gonzales was appointed. Here where I live, thousands of Mexican Americans and Latinos CHEERED! They were SOOOOOOOO PROUD.

All the more deep their shame and humiliation when Alberto took the stand before congress, and couldn"t remember how many fingers he had on ONE HAND!

It was not just that Alberto failed America, lied, defied congress, obstructed justice,,, the truth,,,, he failed THEM!

All the best

Knute Neo-LIB

[Spud777]

Since AG Mukasey won't prosecute these republican criminals (another abdication of his responsibilities as Attorney General (AG) of the United States), at least they will have to pay for lawyers and hopefully will have to pay huge penalties for their criminal behavior. (let Senator Chuck Schumer (D) and Diane Feinstein (D) know how you feel about their assistance in approving Mukasey please).

[Deaninphilly]

Well actually we pay for their lawyers. Since they were employees of the Justice Department their lawyers will be paid by us.

[mouselion]

Not Gonzales, though. (And is Monica "Goodling" still there?)

[IslandGyal]

They are no longer employees of the DoJ, and the suits are civil ones. They will pay themselves, obviously with the help of right wing nut cases and sympathizers, like they did for "Scotter" Libby.

[SoldDowntheRiver]

Monica Goodling and Gonzales should both end up living under a bridge somewhere in far south Texas. Not hiring someone based on their political views is just plain evil, and they deserve to be heavily fined and even jailed if possible. I'm looking forward to seeing her at an intersection holding a sign that reads "will work for food", with him just down the street doing the same.