Former Gonzales aide under investigation

WASHINGTON, May 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department is investigating a former top aide to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in connection with possibly illegal hiring practices.

The Justice Department's inspector general and its Office of Professional Responsibility are looking into whether Monica Goodling -- Gonzales' former senior counselor and White House liaison -- made hiring decisions on assistant U.S. attorneys based on party affiliation, which could be a violation of federal law, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The Justice Department investigation of Goodling could complicate plans for her to testify next week before the House Judiciary Committee. The panel has voted to give her immunity in exchange for her testimony, but the Justice Department would have to find that her testimony would not interfere with an ongoing criminal probe, administration and congressional officials told the Post.

The Senate Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to the Gonzales for e-mails in connection to its inquiry into the firing of eight U.S. attorneys.

The subpoena is for all Justice Department Internet messages from presidential adviser Karl Rove relating to the dismissal of the prosecutors.