by Deb Cupples | In June, the Justice Department's inspector general released a report concluding that Department hiring practices had been politicized, in violation of Department policies and civil service laws that prohibit consideration of political affiliations. Yes, this includes the time that ex-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was in charge, and he's being sued over his apparent misconduct.
Reportedly, a Justice Department official decided that we taxpayers should pay "up to $24,000 per month" for a private lawyer to represent Mr. Gonzales -- and Congress wasn't informed. Understandably, Congress isn't happy.
House Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers and Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy wrote a letter to our current Attorney General Michael Mukasey, which states in part: