[JURIST] The US Department of Justice Office of Professional Responsibility [official website] has expanded its investigation [JURIST report] into whether department aides illegally made hiring decisions based on consideration of applicants' political beliefs, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. The move follows Wednesday's testimony [JURIST report] to the House Judiciary Committee by former DOJ aide Monica Goodling [JURIST news archive], where she admitted making hiring decisions based on political party affiliation. The DOJ also said that it found no evidence to support Goodling's claim that the practice was approved by officials in the department.

Goodling was testifying about her role in the firings of eight US Attorneys [JURIST news archive]. She disputed testimony by resigning Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, and claimed that at least one US Attorney was fired to open a spot for a protege of Karl Rove. The Los Angeles Times has more.