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Thursday, August 30, 2007
IG probes Gonzales Statements
Justice Department Inspector General Glenn Fine informed the Senate Judiciary Committee today that investigators are examining whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales made false statements under oath about President Bush’s warrantless eavesdropping program.
“The OIG has ongoing investigations that relate to most of the subjects addressed in the attorney general’s testimony that you identified,” Fine wrote in an August 30 letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary panel.
Leahy requested that the inspector general investigate whether Gonzales lied to the panel after Gonzales told the panel that there was no internal dispute about the eavesdropping program.
Testimony from former Deputy Attorney General James Comey and FBI Director Robert Mueller indicated their was great concern about the surveillance program after the Justice Department deemed it illegal in 2004.
“I am pleased that department of Justice inspector general Glenn Fine will look into my concerns about potentially false, misleading or inappropriate testimony by the Attorney General,” said Leahy today in response to Fine’s letter.
Fine’s office is investigating whether nine U.S. attorneys were fired for partisan political gain ast year. Investigators are also examining allegations that National Security Letters were misused, improper hiring practices and efforts to overrule the department’s own legal decision that the president’s surveillance program was illegal.
“These actions have eroded the public’s trust and undermined morale within our justice system, from the top ranks to the cop on the beat,” Leahy said. “The current attorney general is leaving, but these questions remain.”
”It is appropriate that the inspector general will examine whether the attorney general was honest with this and other congressional committees about these crucial issues,” Leahy said. ”His investigations can help restore independence and accountability, which have been sorely lacking at the Justice Department.”
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HIgh gas prices? It’s not a conspiracy
Gasoline prices shot up in the spring and summer of 2006 because of ordinary market factors, not an oil company conspiracy, federal officials said Thursday.
In April 2006, President Bush asked the Federal Trade Commission, the Justice Department and the Energy Department to inquire into rising gas prices. The investigation concluded that pump prices rose because of:
1) greater demand in summer 2) higher crude oil prices 3) higher ethanol prices 4) reduced refining capacity as companies switched from methyl tertiary-butyl ether to ethanol 5) refinery outages resulting from hurricane damage, and 6) increased demand for gasoline beyond the seasonal effects.
It said specifically that “”the increases did not stem from violations of the antitrust laws.”
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No new AG until after Australia trip
The White House now says it probably won’t announce the president’s pick for attorney general before he leaves Monday for Australia and the annual meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Deputy press secretary Dana Perino told reporters today it is “unlikely” a nominee would be announced prior to the trip. And, she said, a decision has been made not to announce it while President Bush is in Australia.
He’s due back in Washington on Sunday, Sept. 9.
Bush is looking for a replacement for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, a longtime buddy who this week announced his resignation, effective Sept. 17. Bush has named Solicitor General Paul Clement, who could wind up with the permanent job, to serve as acting attorney general when Gonzales leaves.
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