DOJ IG: We found ‘no sufficient basis for criminal prosecutions’ against Goodling or Sampson.
By on Jul 30th, 2008 at 11:49 am
DOJ IG: We found ‘no sufficient basis for criminal prosecutions’ against Goodling or Sampson.
Testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today on his latest report on the politicization of the Department of Justice, DOJ Inspector General Glenn Fine said he “did not think there was a sufficient basis for criminal prosecutions for false statements for anyone” involved. Watch it:
Later in the hearing, when Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) asked whether Monica Goodling, Kyle Sampson, and others responsible got away with their misconduct “scott free,” Fine noted that there are still “potential bar issues for the attorneys who have committed misconduct.” “So I don’t believe they have gotten away with it,” he said.
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They committed illegal politicization of a department that should be independent from the political views of the Executive and Legislative branches.
What’s not to understand here?
July 30th, 2008 at 11:52 amOh, give me a break. Can we hurry up and get to next January so we can clean out the entire nest of vermin?
July 30th, 2008 at 11:53 amWhat in the hell use do we have for laws when an administration can just break them with impunity. They broke the law by what they did. So how is that not sufficient basis for criminal prosecutions?
I would so love to see Obama thumb his nose at the rule of law just to hear how loud the right would scream every time he broke or ignored a law. But, I don’t want that to happen because I care more for my country than I do the entertainment value that would give us. We all know that if a Democratic administration had pulled half of what the criminal Republicons have done, the right would be apoplectic by now.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:54 amTestifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee today on his latest report on the politicization of the Department of Justice, DOJ Inspector General Glenn Fine said he “did not think there was a sufficient basis for criminal prosecutions for false statements for anyone, ever in the Bush administration, no matter how many times they have lied for whatever reason, because they lied at the pleasure of the President”.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:56 amOk, fair enough. It’s a civil violation, not a criminal one. So now all those people who were turned down for jobs at the DOJ can sue for discrimination, right?
July 30th, 2008 at 11:57 amHopefully the American Bar Association will give them a slap on the wrist because the Bushco Administration won`t…….
July 30th, 2008 at 11:57 amSo a politicized Justice Department refuses to hold employees accountable for acting in a highly partisan manner? Gee, what a surprise!
Mr. Fine mentioned violations of department policy and civil law. So what specific disciplinary acts did the DOJ take?
What does it say if the only consequence could come from a professional association?
July 30th, 2008 at 11:58 amHmmm,
That means Doan, Jennings, et al avoid any consequences as well?
This is a dangerous precedent.
Misdeeds, lies, breaking long standing rules and avoiding telling the truth should have CONSEQUENCES. When they don’t, people are willing to risk such behavior because they may get away with it. That’s the lesson learned here.
Even in the thread below, KKKarl’s consequences now lie in Pelosi’s lap. KKKarl had dirt on Nancy, & will use it to avoid consequences for his actions.
Republics are like children. If they don’t face consequences, they will continue to act like bullies in a schoolyard.
Why is this so hard to understand?
July 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pmWhat does it take for the prosecution of this bunch? The right seems to thumb their nose at any attempt to bring them to justice. We need someone in the next administration assigned to just prosecuting the known offenders.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pmDOJ Inspector General Glenn Fine
C’mon, “Fine”? Larry’s kid?
His dad, Moe and Curly couldn’t have f***ing run this government with more incompetence if they tried.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:01 pmthere are still “potential bar issues for the attorneys who have committed misconduct.”
Potential bar issues? Like what? Deciding between 20-year suspensions and lifetime disbarment?
July 30th, 2008 at 12:02 pmDisbarring Goodling will achieve nothing. A diploma from Regent University is worth nothing to any respectable law firm. The only organization stupid enough to place legal doings into the hands of a Regent grad is the Bush Administration.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:03 pmGlenn Fine notes that there are “potential bar issues for the attorneys who have committed misconduct.” So they could get disbarred for their misconduct but, the government doesn’t think that is an issue they should trouble themselves with. That is their reward for continuing the corruption in the Bush Administration.
If they actually had followed the rules and the code of conduct they would have been fired.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:05 pmSo the right complains about the moral decay of our society…but refuses to acknowledge that their own lawlessness is the cause.
Seems that when the left break laws it pertains to screwing ONE person, when the right does it, they are screwing the entire nation.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:06 pmWith all the wingnut welfare available for these clowns it really doesn’t matter if they get disbarred or not. Even AEI’s feeble standards probably don’t allow for hiring a subnormal intellect like Goodling but some war profiteer will probably find a place for her on the payroll. It is incredible that nobody employed by the executive branch seems to care at all about how horrible this looks. The Republican policy of suppressing voter turnout by encouraging cynicism (”there is no difference, all politicians are crooks”) and counting on the lunatic base to show up continues.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:07 pmDoJ won’t follow up on any of this since both Goodling and Sampson have left the department. I am outraged even though I guess I knew this was going to be civil and not criminal. I am just so consumed with a desire for SOMEONE to be held accountable for all of this crap that I want to see them all locked up.
Now, let’s wait and see what the next report about ex-AG Gonzo and the USAG firings has to say. If that is interpreted the same way, there are going to be a lot of pissed off people out there demanding SOMEONE’S head on a platter. I will volunteer to lead the parade!
Last, but not least, is Conyers going to do the right thing with inherent contempt? The way things have gone, really makes me wonder. And, oh yeah, I really believe Nancy is just going to leave these decisions in Conyers’ hands. I am sure she has already given him detailed instructions about what he can and can’t do.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:08 pm#16,
July 30th, 2008 at 12:11 pmNo kidding? Did he call us a hate website?
so a state bar can discipline them, but the federal government won’t prosecute them for knowingly violating the law – forget the false statements, the broke the law. BTW, the American Bar Association is not a licensing body, each state has it’s own. So it’s once again up to the states to do the federal government’s dirty work. pathetic.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:18 pmCriminal and Civil violations of the law, that Republicans don’t think merit prosecution.
If I’m ever arrested, I just need to tell the judge I’m a republican, and I’m handing over my get out of jail free card..
right.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:28 pmDisbar them already.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:29 pmAwwww, now, the poor babies were just following orders!!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:35 pm“These aren’t the ‘droids we’re looking for…”
July 30th, 2008 at 12:39 pmGuido the Loving OBGYN Says:
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Who is John Gibson?
Just another “fair and balanced” extremist right-wing whackjob fascist comentator on Fixed News.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:42 pmI suppose his fall back will be that old tune, “They’ve suffered enough already“! When will DoJ make whole those discriminated against. When will the civil discrimination cases start seeking financial restitution or lawyers too afraid to upset the Repugnatlicans?
July 30th, 2008 at 12:49 pmSure makes a person wonder just what constitutes “criminal behavior” . Lets see, an 1/2 gram of marijuana, two years in prison, but deceptive, discrimination in DOJ slap on wrist. Oh, thats right politics gets a free ride.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:03 pmGood point Doc and texaslady. Republicans begin to worry about rights of the accused and proportionality of punishment only when they are the ones on trial (see e.g. Libby, Scooter).
July 30th, 2008 at 1:22 pmPerjury isn’t a crime for members of the Bush administration. It is a prerequisite.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:28 pmThings are working out quite nicely for the Bush administration. Congress refuses to hold any Republican accountable for crimes against the Constitution, the people and Congress itself. The Democrats are spineless and feckless if not totally complicit. Future historians will point to this era in America as the catalyst for the ultimate collapse of the U.S..
July 30th, 2008 at 1:44 pmAnother case of IOKIYAAR.
Damn this Jan 20, 2009 can’t come soon enough.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:57 pmWow, once (if) they are disbarred, then they can start making real money as lobbyists!
July 30th, 2008 at 2:50 pmOn one hand, they politicized the justice department and used governement resources for political purposes. To do so, they have lied and slandered. They have held politically motivated court prosecutions and otherwise subverted justice. Their actions have taken a once respected part of the legal system and made it a mockery of justice which will undoubtedly hamstring the believability of the DOJ for years to come. They have used the DOJ to justify patently illegal activities including torture, extraordinary rendition, and illegal surveillance.
OTOH – they did it for Bush et al.
No crime here.
May I suggest the good IG take his blindfold off ?
July 30th, 2008 at 7:20 pmDOJ Inspector General Glenn Fine,
You are completely useless as a citizen of this country. You are a traitor to this nation. Phuck you and the RePugniScum Corporate Fascists Party you suck up to!
July 30th, 2008 at 7:30 pm