Cheney Adviser Indicted in CIA Leak Probe

[Pah]

Cheney Adviser Indicted in CIA Leak Probe
Lewis 'Scooter' Libby Charged With Perjury, Obstruction of Justice and Making False Statements

By William Branigin, Jim VandeHei and Carol D. Leonnig
Washington Post Staff Writers - complete article
Friday, October 28, 2005; 1:00 PM

A federal grand jury today indicted Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, after a two-year investigation into the leak of a CIA agent's identity but spared -- at least for now --President Bush's top political strategist, Karl Rove.

Libby was indicted on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements. The indictment charged that he gave misleading information to the grand jury, allegedly lying about information he discussed with three news reporters. It alleged that he committed perjury before the grand jury in March 2004 and that he also lied to FBI agents investigating the case.

 

[michel]

From:- http://uk.news.yahoo.com/28102005/325/cheney-aide-charged-cia-leak-probe.html

Cheney aide charged in CIA leak probe

Friday October 28, 06:31 PM


[size=-2]Click to enlarge photo[/size] WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis Libby, was indicted on Friday on five criminal counts of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements after a two-year investigation into the leak of a covert CIA operative's identity. President George W. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, was not indicted along with Libby but special counsel Patrick

Fitzgerald has made clear to Rove that he remains under investigation and in legal jeopardy, legal sources said.

Libby, who as Cheney's chief of staff played a major behind-the-scenes role in building the case for the Iraq war, was accused of lying in 2003 about how and when he learnt and disclosed to reporters classified information about the covert operative, Valerie Plame.

The White House immediately announced Libby's resignation.

If convicted, Libby, 55, faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a $ 1.25 million (704 million pound) fine, prosecutors said.

Fitzgerald planned to hold a news conference at 7 p.m. British time.

The charges handed up by the grand jury during a three-minute proceeding were the first in the two-year investigation, sparked by the public disclosure of Plame's identity in a July 14, 2003, newspaper column by Robert Novak.

The leak case has put a spotlight on the sometimes aggressive tactics the White House uses to counter critics of the Iraq war. It has also focussed attention on the administration's shifting justifications for the 2003 invasion, from the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction -- which were never found -- to a need to spread democracy.

Plame's identity was leaked to the media after her diplomat husband, Joseph Wilson, accused the Bush administration of twisting prewar intelligence to support military action against Iraq. Wilson said it was done deliberately to erode his credibility.

Libby resigned "earlier today, it was accepted, and he is no longer at the White House," White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters.

"We'll have more to say after the special counsel has his press availability," he said. (Additional reporting Jim Vicini and Deborah Charles)


I heard on the news today someone say that this was the first time someone has had to walk up to the white house with a warrant. How do you Americans feel about this ? - was it an unexpected shock ? or is it 'something unsurprising in the Bush administration ?'

 

[jonny]

Funny thing was he wasn't charged with the leak. I love it when they start investigations and then bring up charges on people regarding stuff that happened during the investigation.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

If I remember correctly from what was said on the MacNeil/Lehr Newshour last night, things like the leak are exceptionally difficult to prove.

 

[Sunstone]

I figure they'll probably hang him.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

*ponders this* Was that metaphorical, or...?

 

[Sunstone]

Metaphorical... although he could get up to 30 years in prison.

 

[Feathers in Hair]

Ahhh, I thought it was, but felt like checking!

 

[Sunstone]

Funny thing was he wasn't charged with the leak. I love it when they start investigations and then bring up charges on people regarding stuff that happened during the investigation.

Wasn't it Nixon who said it's not the crime that gets you, but the cover up?

 

[jonny]

Metaphorical... although he could get up to 30 years in prison.

Isn't this similar to what Martha Stewart was found guilty of - not the crime but what happened while they were investigating the crime. She just got a little time in camp cupcake. I don't see him sitting in prison for 30 years for telling a lie during a witchhunt (pardon the expression ).

 

[Feathers in Hair]

No worries about the expression, hehee.

Except that I don't think it's that he told a lie so much as he allegedly repeatedly lied to the FBI about his conversations with several people, and then allegedly lied to a grand jury. If a common person were to lie to government, they would be in serious trouble. I can only hope the same would be true if (part of ) the government lied to the people.

 

[WillieHutch]

Isn't this similar to what Martha Stewart was found guilty of - not the crime but what happened while they were investigating the crime. She just got a little time in camp cupcake. I don't see him sitting in prison for 30 years for telling a lie during a witchhunt (pardon the expression ).

yeah, and people and companies seem to be embracing Martha Stewart just fine. It's funny how people so easily forgive and forget. Shoot, Martha is probably richer than ever now. She's added an NBC show and a sirius radio channel to her her already fat coffers since!