Another controversy for Alberto Gonzales
The US attorney general remains in hot water as questions resurface about his role in a wiretapping program.
from the May 18, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Previously, Gonzales has given carefully worded denials that an internal struggle over wiretapping took place.
In February 2006, Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee that "there has not been any serious disagreement about the program that the President has confirmed. There have been disagreements about other matters regarding operations, which I cannot get into."
On May 16, four Democratic senators sent Gonzales a letter asking whether he wished to revise this testimony, in light of Comey's revelations.
Gonzales's testimony "was and remains accurate," said Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd.
"While the attorney general provided this testimony in an unclassified setting, it is important to consider that the fact and nature of such disagreements have been briefed to the intelligence committees," Mr. Boyd said.
The next few weeks do not promise to get much easier for the embattled attorney general. Next week, his former White House liaison, Monica Goodling, is scheduled to testify before Congress under a grant of immunity.
Prior to obtaining immunity, Ms. Goodling had refused to testify on grounds of possible self-incrimination. The testimony of other officials and e-mails and other documentary evidence released by the Justice Department appear to place her at the heart of the effort to dismiss US attorneys.
• Wire services contributed to this report.
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