senator leahy asks about yet another DoJ attorney fired by monica goodling

this case has already received
pretty wide-spread attention, in the
progressive blog-space, but it bears
repeating -- this goodling-driven
firing showcases the very worst of
the pernicious discrimination under-
way in the department of justice, until
just very recently -- all fostered by
the towering ineptitude of alberto gonzales,
and the tacit approval and endorsement of
the dick (cheney, that is -- and the
frat-boy king, george w. bush).

here is the full-text bi-partisan letter:

April 4, 2008

The Honorable Glenn A. Fine
Inspector General
The Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20530

H. Marshall Jarrett
Office of Professional Responsibility
The Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 3266
Washington, D.C. 20530

Dear Inspector General Fine and Mr. Jarrett:

We are writing to confirm press reports that your offices are investigating allegations surrounding the treatment of career attorney Leslie Hagen. Ms. Hagen was appointed in October, 2005 as the liaison between the Department and the U.S. Attorneys’ Committee on Native American issues. According to a recent report on National Public Radio, despite receiving the best possible rating of “outstanding” on her job performance evaluation, Ms. Hagen was removed from her position at the Justice Department amid rumors of her sexual orientation. It has been reported that several people interviewed by your staff believe that Ms. Hagen’s removal was because of these rumors.

We were encouraged by Attorney General Mukasey’s commitment during his confirmation hearing to end any disparate treatment of Department employees based on sexual orientation. Allegations of disparate treatment should be fully investigated. Accordingly, this matter should be a part of the ongoing joint IG and OPR investigation of improper personnel practices at the Justice Department. Please simply confirm for us that it is part of your investigation.

We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,