Gonzales faces broader inquiry

WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- The Justice Department’s inspector general said Thursday he is trying to determine if Alberto Gonzales misled the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Inspector General Glen Fine announced the investigation in a letter to the committee chairman, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., The New York Times reported. Fine said the issue is whether the testimony by the attorney general was “intentionally false, misleading, or inappropriate” on the dismissal of nine U.S. attorneys and on government surveillance programs.

Fine’s office was known to be looking into the U.S. attorney firings.

Gonzales announced his resignation Monday, effective Sept. 17. He had been under pressure from senators of both parties.

Leahy released a statement saying he was glad Fine had decided on a broader investigation.

“His investigations can help restore independence and accountability, which have been sorely lacking at the Justice Department,” Leahy said.