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NPR reports that federal officials are investigating whether the fallen Attorney General's staff hired and fired on more than just administrative allegiance, like sexuality. According to sources, the Justice Department's former Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Monica Goodling took a queer interest in Leslie Hagen, who worked as liaison between the Department and federal attorneys before getting sacked in October of 2006: Justice Department e-mails obtained by NPR show that Gonzales's senior counsel Monica Goodling had a particular interest in Hagen's duties. A few months before Hagen was let go, according to one e-mail, Goodling removed part of Hagen's job portfolio — the part dealing with child exploitation and abuse. Hagen received favorable reviews during her tenure at the Department. And, in fact, staffers described her as the most qualified candidate. More importantly to this case, Hagen pledged all of her allegiance to the GOP, which should have made her a perfect pawn for Goodling and her boss, Gonzales. Investigators also circulated a questionnaire asking applicants if Goodling inquired about their sexuality, which would be a red flag of discriminatory action. Or, rather, pink flag… |