Washington (AP) Montana U.S. Attorney Bill Mercer is briefly mentioned but not admonished in an internal report released today (Monday) that says politics illegally entered into hiring decisions at the Justice Department.

Monica Goodling is a top aide to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and department liaison to the White House. The report criticizes Goodling for violating federal law and Justice Department policy by discriminating against job applicants who weren't Republican or conservative loyalists.

Mercer was working at the Justice Department as a deputy to Gonzales. He is mentioned as a go-between in a few examples given by investigators. In one example, an official told Mercer in an e-mail that he thought highly of one candidate. Mercer replied that another official "says she's a big D," or Democrat.

The report found no wrongdoing by Mercer.

By AP writer Mary Clare Jalonick (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 07-28-08 1849CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list