by Glynn Wilson

A letter made public today by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., confirms that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee staff and legal counsel will interview North Alabama lawyer Jill Simpson Friday, Sept. 14, in Washington as part of an ongoing investigation into the political corruption of the judicial system by the Bush White House and Justice Department.

Some legal experts say the political prosecution of former Alabama Governor Don Siegelman is one of the most revealing cases in the country on that score, and it was Ms. Simpson's affidavit sworn in May that brought the relevant facts about an unfair trial into the light of public scrutiny.

While the initial Congressional investigation was focused on the firing of 8 specific U.S. attorneys who were fired for apparent political purposes, new investigations are turning up more cases around the country. And then there's Bush's commutation of Scooter Libby's sentence, coming just on the heals of Siegelman's sentencing and jailing in June.

The letter from Conyers was addressed to Priscilla Duncan of Montgomery, one of Simpson's lawyers, and makes an appointment for 12:30 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Ms. Simpson's statement will be taken under oath and will be transcribed for the record in the investigation.

The press secretary for Conyers and the Committee said she could not confirm or deny the appointment, on or off the record. But she did confirm on ongoing investigation into political prosecutions by the Bush Justice Department, and that a number of witnesses are being interviewed and "all relevant information is being looked at."

No date has been set for a public hearing that will be broadcast live on C-SPAN.

Simpson, who has worked as a volunteer for many Republican candidates over the past 25 years, including Gov. Bob Riley's campaigns in 2002 and 2006, is now seen as a major whistleblower against certain elements within the GOP. She could potentially have an impact on future political races in Alabama if she were to switch her allegiance and bring her legal research capabilities over to the Democratic Party.