Rove disses Congress, refuses subpoena to testify
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Rove_disses_Congres_refuses_subpoena_to_0710.html
Nick Juliano
Published: Thursday July 10, 2008
Former White House adviser Karl Rove has ignored a subpoena from congressional Democrats to testify about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department and his alleged role in the prosecution of a former governor of Alabama.
A House subcommittee voted Thursday to reject Rove's claim that executive privilege freed him from an obligation to testify, leaving open the possibility the Republican political guru will be held in contempt.
Democrats subpoenaed Rove in May to force him to talk about whether he was involved in firing federal prosecutors or sought to influence prosecutors' decisions - including in the corruption case against former Democratic Alabama governor Don Siegelman, who was convicted on corruption charges in 2006. Democrats are investigating whether Rove encouraged the Justice Department to pursue the case.
He had been scheduled to appear at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday morning. The panel is considering how to respond to Rove's refusal to show.
Rep. Linda Sanchez, the subcommittee's chairwoman, said Rove's claim was unacceptable.
Last week, Sanches and Judiciary Chairman John Conyers threatened to hold Rove in contempt if he followed through on his promise to defy their subpoena. It's unclear whether they will follow through on that threat.
A committee spokesman told RAW STORY more information would be released later Thursday.
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Rove_disses_Congres_refuses_subpoena_to_0710.html
Nick Juliano
Published: Thursday July 10, 2008
Former White House adviser Karl Rove has ignored a subpoena from congressional Democrats to testify about allegations of political pressure at the Justice Department and his alleged role in the prosecution of a former governor of Alabama.
A House subcommittee voted Thursday to reject Rove's claim that executive privilege freed him from an obligation to testify, leaving open the possibility the Republican political guru will be held in contempt.
Democrats subpoenaed Rove in May to force him to talk about whether he was involved in firing federal prosecutors or sought to influence prosecutors' decisions - including in the corruption case against former Democratic Alabama governor Don Siegelman, who was convicted on corruption charges in 2006. Democrats are investigating whether Rove encouraged the Justice Department to pursue the case.
He had been scheduled to appear at a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing Thursday morning. The panel is considering how to respond to Rove's refusal to show.
Rep. Linda Sanchez, the subcommittee's chairwoman, said Rove's claim was unacceptable.
Last week, Sanches and Judiciary Chairman John Conyers threatened to hold Rove in contempt if he followed through on his promise to defy their subpoena. It's unclear whether they will follow through on that threat.
A committee spokesman told RAW STORY more information would be released later Thursday.