Constitutional Law

Taxpayers To Foot Bill For Gonzales' Private Representation In DOJ Lawsuit

Former U.S. Attorney General Gonzales facing a lawsuit over politicization of the Department of Justice has turned to a private attorney for representation. The decision reported by TPMMuckraker and McClatchy Newspapers, was approved by the DOJ and is likely to cost the taxpayers a lot more than the use of a public defender. According to the reports, typically attorneys from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division represent employees who are sued in connection with their official capacities. McClatchy reported that the DOJ, however, had approved Gonzales’ request for private representation.

A report from the DOJ’s offices of Inspector General and Professional Responsibility said Gonzales’ DOJ set up a system that favored applicants with conservative ties over ones connected to progressive organizations, such as ACS, for internships and for the department’s honors program. A group of law students, represented by Dan Metcalfe, is suing Gonzales and other DOJ officials over the politicized hiring practices. Metcalfe, a former DOJ official, told McClatchy that the decision to provide private representation for Gonzales was “exceptional.”

Full post as published by ACS Blog on November 18, 2008 (boomark / email).