The Press Gangbang the Press Secretary

[DudeAsInCool]

Cover-Up Issue Is Seen as Focus in Leak Inquiry

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 - As he weighs whether to bring criminal charges in the C.I.A. leak case, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the special counsel, is focusing on whether Karl Rove, the senior White House adviser, and I. Lewis Libby Jr., chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, sought to conceal their actions and mislead prosecutors, lawyers involved in the case said Thursday.

Among the charges that Mr. Fitzgerald is considering are perjury, obstruction of justice and false statement - counts that suggest the prosecutor may believe the evidence presented in a 22-month grand jury inquiry shows that the two White House aides sought to cover up their actions, the lawyers said.

Mr. Rove and Mr. Libby have been advised that they may be in serious legal jeopardy, the lawyers said, but only this week has Mr. Fitzgerald begun to narrow the possible charges. The prosecutor has said he will not make up his mind about any charges until next week, government officials say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/21/politics...ONVdd4om0DO5BlA

[DudeAsInCool]

Leak Case Renews Questions on War's Rationale

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 - The legal and political stakes are of the highest order, but the investigation into the disclosure of a covert C.I.A. officer's identity is also just one skirmish in the continuing battle over the Bush administration's justification for the war in Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/23/politics...serland&emc=rss

[DudeAsInCool]

Lawyers in CIA-leak case say charges possible this week

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald appears to be laying the groundwork for indictments this week over the outing of a covert CIA operative, including possible charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, lawyers involved in case said on Sunday.

Top administration officials are expected to learn from Fitzgerald as early as Monday whether they will face charges as the prosecutor winds up his nearly two-year investigation, the lawyers said.

http://today.reuters.com/PrinterFriendlyPo...S-BUSH-LEAK.xml

[DudeAsInCool]

Lawyers see charges this week in CIA-leak case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald appears to be laying the groundwork for indictments this week over the outing of a covert CIA operative, including possible charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, lawyers and other sources involved in case said on Sunday.

In a preview of how Republicans would counter charges against top administration officials by Fitzgerald, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas brushed aside an indictment for perjury -- rather than for the underlying crime of outing a covert operative -- as a "technicality."

Speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" she suggested Fitzgerald may merely be trying to show that "two years' of investigation was not a waste of time and dollars."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5102300441.html

Lying to the American people and the world as to the reasons to go war in Iraq, and then going after people who disagree with those lies, and outing a CIA undercover agent in the process, is not a technicality - in my mind, its treasonous.

[DudeAsInCool]

Will the real Scooter Libby please stand up?

http://slate.msn.com/id/2128530/?nav=ais

Will the real Dick Cheney reveal himself?

"There's a man who leads a life of danger. . . . To everyone he meets

he stays a stranger. Secret Agent Man"

http://groups.google.com/group/soc.retirem...r&start=0&num=3

[DudeAsInCool]

Cheney Told Aide of C.I.A. Officer, Notes Show

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 — I. Lewis Libby Jr., Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, first learned about the C.I.A. officer at the heart of the leak investigation in a conversation with Mr. Cheney weeks before her identity became public in 2003, lawyers involved in the case said Monday.

Notes of the previously undisclosed conversation between Mr. Libby and Mr. Cheney on June 12, 2003, appear to differ from Mr. Libby’s testimony to a federal grand jury that he initially learned about the C.I.A. officer, Valerie Wilson, from journalists, the lawyers said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/24/politics...artner=homepage

[DudeAsInCool]

Walker's World: Bush at bay

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The CIA leak inquiry that threatens senior White House aides has now widened to include the forgery of documents on African uranium that started the investigation, according to NAT0 intelligence sources.

This suggests the inquiry by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald into the leaking of the identity of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame has now widened to embrace part of the broader question about the way the Iraq war was justified by the Bush administration.

http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligen...23-104217-9679r

[DudeAsInCool]

Who is Patrick Fitzgerald?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...2301028_pf.html

[DudeAsInCool]

Cast of Characters Growing In CIA Leak - Fitzpatrick's Tentacles Cast A Big Net

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?...=D8DEIVC00.html

[slum_goddess]

oh please please pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease

[DudeAsInCool]

out of everyone who's been paying attention over the last few years, WHO DINT SEE THIS COMING?

Me - I never thought in my wildest dreams that there would be an opportunity for and investigation of for someone like Fitzgerald to come along. And if they get indicted, I'm going back to church 'cause there really is a God

[slum_goddess]

Me

i said 'out of everyone who's been paying attention' i dint say 'out of everyone who's scouring the internets in order to post their asses off'

[DudeAsInCool]

i said 'out of everyone who's been paying attention' i dint say 'out of everyone who's scouring the internets in order to post their asses off'

Who, me?

***

Possible indictment outcomes

http://www.wonkette.com/politics/plame-inv...outcomes-132849

[DudeAsInCool]

CIA Leak Linked to Dispute Over Iraq Policy

As Grand Jury Term Nears End, Officials' Critique of Administration Gains Attention

The alleged leaking of a CIA operative's name had its roots in a clash over Iraq policy between White House insiders and their rivals in the permanent bureaucracy of Washington, especially in the State Department and the CIA.

As the investigation into the leak reaches its expected climax this week with the expiration of the grand jury's term, the internal disputes have been further amplified by a recent string of speeches and interviews criticizing the administration's handling of Iraq, including by former national security adviser Brent Scowcroft, the former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and State Department diplomats, and other officials involved in the early efforts to stabilize Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...2401734_pf.html

[DudeAsInCool]

Husband Is Conspicuous in Leak Case

Wilson's Credibility Debated as Charges In Probe Considered

To his backers, Joseph C. Wilson IV is a brave whistle-blower wronged by the Bush administration. To his critics, he is a partisan who spouts unreliable information.

But nobody disputes this: Possessed of a flamboyant styleand a love for the camera lens, Wilson helped propel the unmasking of his wife's identity as a CIA operative into a sprawling, two-year legal probe that climaxes this week with the possible indictment of key White House officials. He also turned an arcane matter involving the Intelligence Identities Protection Act into a proxy fight over the administration's credibility and its case for war in Iraq.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...2401690_pf.html

Here's what Libby was up to:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...=la-home-nation

Conservatives will attempt to discredit Wilson and call Plamegate a liberal conspiracy.

Doesnt matter - Rove and Libby are going down, and the non-partisan Prosecutor

plays by the book. Bye bye guys ;)

[DudeAsInCool]

A Chronology of Plamegate - What Dates and Meetings Fitzpatrick is Scrutinizing

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/ind...ame2/index.html

What Cheney and Libby Didnt Say

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/ind...ney2/index.html

Fitzpatrick Ties Up Strings On Rove

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...-home-headlines

http://nytimes.com/2005/10/26/national/26l...artner=homepage

[DudeAsInCool]

washingtonpost.com

Bush Aides Brace for Charges

Grand Jury May Hear Counts in Leak Case Today

The prosecutor in the CIA leak case was preparing to outline possible charges before the federal grand jury as early as today, even as the FBI conducted last-minute interviews in the high-profile investigation, according to people familiar with the case.

With Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald in Washington yesterday, lawyers in the case and some White House officials braced for at least one indictment when the grand jury meets today. I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, is said by several people in the case to be a main focus, but not the only one.

In a possible sign that Fitzgerald may seek to charge one or more officials with illegally disclosing Valerie Plame's CIA affiliation, FBI agents as recently as Monday night interviewed at least two people in her D.C. neighborhood. The agents were attempting to determine whether the neighbors knew that Plame worked for the CIA before she was unmasked with the help of senior Bush administration officials. Two neighbors said they told the FBI they had been surprised to learn she was a CIA operative.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...2502037_pf.html

***

Rumor has it - It's FitzMas In October

The Washington Note 

An uber-insider source has just reported the following to TWN:

1. 1-5 indictments are being issued. The source feels that it will be towards the higher end.

2. The targets of indictment have already received their letters.

3. The indictments will be sealed indictments and "filed" tomorrow.

4. A press conference is being scheduled for Thursday.

http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001031.html

Callin' out around the White House

Are you ready for a brand new sweep?

FitzMas 's here and the time is right

For dancin' in the streets

:rotfl:

[DudeAsInCool]

The wrath of God has spoken - Rove, Libby, et tal, must go

http://www.mediabum.com/html/Amazing-Lightning-Shots.html

[DudeAsInCool]

(CBS/AP) Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald met with the grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA officer's identity Wednesday, as top Bush administration officials braced for possible indictments.

Fitzgerald and the grand jurors entered the courthouse around 9 a.m. EDT, with just three days left before the jury's term is set to expire. Away from the jury, FBI agents conducted a handful of last-minute interviews to check facts key to the case.

Lawyers representing key White House officials expected Fitzgerald to decide as early as today whether to charge I. "Scooter" Libby, who is Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, and presidential political adviser Karl Rove.

CBS News chief White House correspondent John Robertsreports the prosecutor has informed targets of the investigation of his intentions – and that can only mean indictments.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/10/26/...ain981236.shtml

[DudeAsInCool]

Plamegate: Worse than Watergate

I'm not saying that Plamegate is the same as Watergate. I'm saying it's worse. Much, much worse. No one died as a result of Watergate, but2,000 American soldiers have now been killed and thousands more wounded to rid the world of an imminent threat that wasn't. Could there be anything bigger?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huff...wat_b_9522.html

[Kooperman]

Rove & Libby....perjury and obstruction of justice indictments?

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Prosecutor_i...ments_1026.html

[DudeAsInCool]

Suspense Builds Over CIA Leak Investigation

WASHINGTON -- The CIA leak case continued to build today toward a climactic finish as a grand jury investigating possible wrongdoing by top White House figures met behind closed doors for three hours and the special counsel met privately with the chief judge overseeing the case.

Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald made no announcements about whether he had decided to seek indictments, though speculation was rampant that charges were imminent.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...-home-headlines

Rats :evil: I thought he would indict today - well, another day won't hurt...They're still a comin'...

[DudeAsInCool]

washingtonpost.com

Grand Jury Hears Summary of Case On CIA Leak Probe

Decision on Charges May Come Friday

The prosecutor in the CIA leak investigation presented a summary of his case to a federal grand jury yesterday and is expected to announce a final decision on charges in the two-year-long probe tomorrow, according to people familiar with the case.

Even as Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald wrapped up his case, the legal team of White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove has been engaged in a furious effort to convince the prosecutor that Rove did not commit perjury during the course of the investigation, according to people close to the aide. The sources, who indicated that the effort intensified in recent weeks, said Rove still did not know last night whether he would be indicted.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...2600532_pf.html

[DudeAsInCool]

ALLEN: “A Likely Scenario For What Happened Today Is Patrick Fitzgerald Got Some Indictments”

Hotline says Time Magazine’s Mike Allen “has some of the best sources in Washington.” Here’s what he had to say about the leak scandal tonight on Hardball:

MIKE ALLEN: A lot of activity happening that we’re not seeing. A likely scenario for what happened today, Patrick Fitzgerald got some indictments from this grand jury. He is now able to go to the…

CHRIS MATTHEWS: You think they’re sealed right now?

MIKE ALLEN: Very possible. What I’m told is typically, in a case like this, he could get the indictments and now he can go to the targets and say, you can plead to these or I’ll go back Friday and get more. You have 12 to 24 hours to think about it.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: And he can give them a little Whitman Sampler of suggestions pleading to the charge of obstruction or perjury or…

MIKE ALLEN: I can add a bunch of counts. You can take a couple of counts or we can do a bunch more.

Later on Olbermann, The Washington Post’s Jim VanDeHei (who also has “some of the best sources in Washington”) assures us the wait is almost over: “I do not think we’ll see any extension of this grand jury. We will know on Friday what’s going to happen here.”

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/10/26/allen-fitzgerald/

[DudeAsInCool]

  Cheney's Chief Of Staff Indicted, Rove Remains A Focus As Inquiry Continues…

Lied to FBI, Committed Perjury, Obstructed Justice, Has Resigned...

Fitzgerald: National Security Was At Stake, Damage Done, The Investigation Is Not Over...

Libby Resigns His Post; Rove's Fate Remains Unresolved

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 - I. Lewis LibbyJr., Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff and one of the most powerful figures in the Bush administration, was formally accused today of lying and obstruction of justice in an inquiry into the unmasking of a covert C.I.A. officer.

A federal grand jury indicted Mr. Libby on one count of obstruction, two counts of perjury and two of making false statements in the course of an investigation that raised questions about the administration's rationale for going to war against Iraq, how it treats critics and political opponents and whether high White House officials shaded the truth. The charges are felonies.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/28/politics...serland&emc=rss

More on the story from the Associated Press:

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2005/10/28/D8DH7T1O8.html