Did Gonzalez Commit a Crime by Giving a Heads-Up?

[On the Road]

Gonzalez asked if notification could wait overnight and was told yes. He also admitted to alerting Andy Card that an investigation was underway.

Obviously, this defeats the purpose of discovering incriminating material. Gonzalez was clearly giving the White House staff the opportunity to shred any documents they didn't want discovered. What's not clear to me is what Gonzalez's legal responsibilities were and what crime, if any, Gonzalez may have committed in giving that heads-up.

Just want to understand this situation from a legal point of view.

[Lerkfish]

1. I imagine shredders heated up from overuse in those 12 hours.

what does that tell you?

Do you ever give a suspect 12 hours to flush their dope?

If you did, would you be an honest cop?

[zanne]

3. I remember watching the shredding trucks leaving Enron....

It was actually on CNN, remember? We watched the trucks arrive, then leave, then arrive...
The White House has the best lawyers in the world, advising them of the best loopholes in the world..

[On the Road]

4. I Don't Doubt That Documents Were Shredded

But I don't know how the law is written, so I don't know whether a crime was committed.

[atre]

2. I would imagine obstruction of justice charges maybe could be had

... and perhaps accessory after the fact if there is indeed a principal offense here.

[leftofthedial]

5. this crew of conmen commits crime every day they show up

without turning themselves in