Conyers eyes Gonzales perjury charge

WASHINGTON, July 28 (UPI) -- A top House Democrat said Monday he is considering bringing perjury charges against former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., made the comment following a Justice Department inspector general's report on the use of politics in hiring at the department. Conyers said he is also considering charges against two other former senior officials.

Conyers, in a joint statement with Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., said qualified applicants were rejected for key positions in the fight against terrorism for no reason other than political whim.

The chairman said his committee would look into whether Gonzales, former Chief of Staff Kyle Sampson or former department White House liaison Monica Goodling lied last year under oath before the committee, The Hill reported. The inspector general's report said Goodling used politics and ideological positions when considering applicants for U.S. attorney.

Attorney General Michael Mukasey has said he was disturbed by the report, The Hill said.