Originally published Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Gonzales to receive help on legal bills
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' supporters have created a trust fund to help pay his legal expenses, which are mounting in the...
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' supporters have created a trust fund to help pay his legal expenses, which are mounting in the face of a Justice Department investigation into whether Gonzales committed perjury or improperly tampered with a congressional witness.
The establishment of a legal-defense fund for the nation's former chief law-enforcement officer illustrates the potential peril confronting Gonzales, one of a handful of attorneys general to face potential criminal charges for actions taken in office.
David Leitch, a Gonzales friend and general counsel at Ford Motor, wrote in an e-mail solicitation to potential contributors last month that Gonzales is "innocent of any wrongdoing" but does not have the means to pay for his legal defense after a career spent mostly in public service.
"In the hyperpoliticized atmosphere that has descended on Washington, an innocent man cannot simply trust that the truth will out," Leitch wrote.
Leitch also wrote that Gonzales' attorney, George Terwilliger III, "has substantially reduced his fees to represent Al Gonzales, but the costs will likely be high nonetheless." A contribution form asking for donations to the Alberto R. Gonzales Legal Expense Trust suggests amounts from $500 to $5,000.
The inspector general is looking at whether Gonzales misled Congress in sworn testimony and improperly sought to influence testimony of an aide, Monica Goodling, about last year's firings of nine U.S. attorneys.
The inspector general's office can hand over evidence to prosecutors and recommend further investigation and possible charges, officials have said.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
Senate Democrats split on health bill's fate
Gaps for consumers in Democrat health care bills
Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
Mammogram guidelines spark debate over health bill
Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote

Real Salt Lake wins MLS Cup
Real Salt Lake defeated the Los Angeles Galaxy with penalty kicks after 120 minutes of play at Qwest Field in Seattle.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Craigslist adoption ad: A plea by young mother-to-be? A scam?
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come
- Snow piles up on Cascade slopes
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
141 - Palin excitement builds in Tri-Cities
129 - Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
129 - Tight Senate vote launches health care over hurdle
123 - Cutting through breast-cancer confusion
93 - Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
90 - Game thread
70 - New York terror trials will restore faith in rule of law
68 - Illegal workers quietly let go
62 - Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
54
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- 'The Road' takes Viggo Mortensen to Mount St. Helens and Astoria, Ore.
- Child-support error costs nearly $21,000
- It's possible to recover a life lost to hoarding
- Washington state wines make annual best-of list
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'
- Banff: powder, peaks & purity
- Chase shrugs off loss of CD investors
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Denny Triangle gains skyline, but tenants slow to come





