Goodling granted immunity, must testify

WASHINGTON, May 11 (UPI) -- A federal judge granted immunity Friday to Monica Goodling, a former aide to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who has taken the Fifth Amendment.

Thomas Hogan, chief federal judge in the District of Columbia, said that Goodling must testify before congressional committees about the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last year, The Washington Post reported. He said that she cannot be prosecuted for her testimony except for perjury.

Goodling resigned as White House liaison and senior counselor to Gonzales last month. She refused to testify on the grounds that what she had to say might incriminate her. The Justice Department has said that investigators are trying to determine if Goodling was involved in firing the U.S. attorneys for political reasons.

Gonzales testified before both the U.S. House and Senate judiciary committees, encountering criticism from lawmakers from both parties.