Gonzales to defend his reputation in book

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Alberto Gonzales says he is writing a book to counter critics' contentions he was negligent as U.S. attorney general under the Bush administration.

Gonzales, 53, does not have a publisher, but said he is writing "for my sons, so at least they know the story," The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Gonzales resigned last year amid mounting congressional criticism of his role in the Bush administration's "war on terror."

"For some reason, I am portrayed as the one who is evil in formulating policies that people disagree with," Gonzales told the Journal.

Gonzales denied he politicized the Justice Department or played the pivotal role in writing legal opinions that let the Central Intelligence Agency use harsh interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects, the Journal reported.

Gonzales also denied he was central to opinions to expand the president's power to hold "unlawful combatants" and suspects indefinitely, the Journal reported, noting Gonzales has been unable to find a full-time job since leaving the Bush administration.