Taxpayers to pay for Alberto Gonzales’ private attorney.
Taxpayers to pay for Alberto Gonzales’ private attorney.
This summer, six attorneys “rejected from civil service positions at the Justice Department filed a lawsuit” 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 for the Honors and Summer Law Intern Programs. Today, McClatchy reports that the Justice Department has agreed to pay for a private lawyer to defend Gonzales, which could cost taxpayers up to $24,000 a month:
According to a person with knowledge of the case, the Justice Department has imposed a limit of $200 an hour or $24,000 a month on attorneys’ fees. Top Justice Department attorneys generally earn no more than $100 per hour. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.
Though “lawyers from the Justice Department’s civil division often represent department employees who’re sued in connection with their official actions,” Gonzales’ lawyer said that “private counsel can often be useful where (department) officials are sued in an individual capacity, even where the suit has no substantive merit.”
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Of course we are. We pay for everything — especially when it comes to the rich.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:49 pmHey, the “Best Available RIGHT WING Lawyers” might be good enough to represent the U.S.A., but no way Alberto is going to trust HIS defense to those clowns…
November 18th, 2008 at 6:51 pmZooey,
My thoughts exactly. I figure all American’s should just be given lottery tickets instead of paychecks. That way we can still have that dream of one day being rich but not have to bother with all the hassles of trying to get ahead.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pmWhat’s the old saying…?
“He who represents himself is a fool” or something like that?
He may be crazy but he ain’t stupid.
November 18th, 2008 at 6:54 pm“Any lawyer who represents himself has a fool for a client.”
There you go…
November 18th, 2008 at 6:58 pmMaybe John Ashcroft’s firm can make another killing off the DOJ.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:06 pmmay i suggest he is supplied with the same lawyer defending the prisoners in guantanamo, and while we’re at it, keep him in gitmo for safe keeping.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:07 pmScrew the courts, just lock him up at Gitmo, no need for charges, evidence or anything….
….how convenient.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:12 pmThe criminal pimping off the taxpayers’ dime. Unbelievable. Only in Bush’s United Snakes of Moronica: Land of thieves. Home of the slaves.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pmNo! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!
In these times??? Words fail me.
I want JUSTICE!!!
November 18th, 2008 at 7:14 pmThough “lawyers from the Justice Department’s civil division often represent department employees who’re sued in connection with their official actions,” Gonzales’ lawyer said that “private counsel can often be useful where (department) officials are sued in an individual capacity, even where the suit has no substantive merit.”
News flash to Justice Department. Gonzales is a private citizen now, not a “department employee or official.”
November 18th, 2008 at 7:33 pmCaption Contest:
Why is this man smiling? No, seriously, what the fu(k does this man have to smile about?
November 18th, 2008 at 7:37 pmInsult over injury, over insult over injury,
November 18th, 2008 at 7:38 pmand into the future with Bush&Co.
Okay, Abu G is a doofus an all, but it doesn’t seem out of line for the government to pay for an attorney to defend someone being sued in connection with official acts…
although Buckie’s suggestion has its appeal, to…
November 18th, 2008 at 7:52 pmTo me, it feels like it does when every family has “someone” in the family that is just “different.” It wasn’t our choice, it wasn’t our fault, but we gotta’ pay for it.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:12 pmExcept in this case, ain’t no F**king way that feckwad is EVER in my family!
Maybe if Gonzales had hired the best and the brightest for Justice to begin with then they would have the talent in house and would be able to represent him from a lawsuit that would never be filed … but hey that is just idle fantasy
November 18th, 2008 at 8:30 pmOn display a Republican AG on trial for crimes. Now as much as this might cost the impact will be priceless. Most would rather not be put on display to the World. Here’s a man who was the example of his Spanish race now to but heard in a hearing on every Media Station and Newspaper around the World as a Criminal. What will this say about the Bush Administration and the Republican Party as were watch Gonzo continue to lie and make a fool of himself.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pmHow about a taxpayers’ suit to recover funds?
November 18th, 2008 at 9:07 pm.
Americans take care of their elite corporate war lords… NO?
.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:03 amMax-1 Says:
Americans take care of their elite corporate war lords… NO?>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Boy dont they
November 19th, 2008 at 4:49 amCaption:
DOOFUS
¶ AIO
November 19th, 2008 at 5:06 amJust add the cost to the bailout package, there’s no accountability on where that money is going so who will notice?
And yes, we really do need a caption contest at TP
November 19th, 2008 at 6:59 am