House committee asks Rove to testify about Alabama governor Nick Juliano

Published: Thursday April 17, 2008



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Print This Email This The House Judiciary Committee is taking Karl Rove up on an offer to testify about claims that he influenced a federal corruption case against former Democratic Gov. Don Siegelman of Alabama.



Calling Rove the "missing link" in its investigation into politicization of the justice department, the committee on Thursday asked the former White House adviser to appear under oath soon. The panel also wants the Justice Department's inspector general to investigate allegations that political motivations drove the Siegelman case and several other federal prosecutions during the Bush administration.



"There continue to be numerous complaints of selective or politically motivated prosecution since our investigation began last year. The actions we are taking today, including calling Karl Rove to testify, are an effort to get to the bottom of this matter," Judiciary Committee chairman John Conyers said.



"The Justice Department has simply not been forthcoming," he continued, "and I feel the only way to move this investigation forward is to seek further independent investigation and testimony from Karl Rove, who appears to be the missing link in a chain from the White House to the Justice Department." Rove has denied any involvement in the Siegelman prosecution. His attorney told MSNBC earlier this month that Rove would testify on the matter.



The Judiciary Committee also released a 40-page report (.pdf) on selective, politically motivated prosecutions within the Justice Department. Because the Department of Justice has largely refused to cooperate with the Committees investigation, key facts remain unknown and reliable final judgments cannot be made. However, given the troublesome facts identified to date, it is clear at a minimum that current and former Department leadership has been derelict in failing to review these matters and reassure the American people that federal law enforcement is impartial and fair. In a letter to Rove, Conyers says the report offers "evidence suggesting that you or other high-level Washington officials may have been involved in the Siegelman matter and describes several other disturbing and potentially political aspects of the prosecution." RAW STORY 's Larisa Alexandrovna has covered the Siegelman case extensively in her the Permanent Republican Majority series. It can be read here: Part I, Part II, Part III. She also has documented allegations that Rove is trying to smear a whistleblower in the case. With wire reports