I. Lewis Libby -- good riddance

[Matt Holcomb]

"Like a fortress built on a sand dune."

CIA probe 'not over' after Cheney's top aide indicted

Libby charged on 5 counts, confident he'll be 'totally exonerated'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The CIA leak investigation is "not over," special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said Friday after announcing charges against I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff.

Fitzgerald said he will be keeping the grand "jury open to consider other matters." But, he said, "substantial work" is done.

Libby resigned Friday after a federal grand jury indicted him on five charges related to the leak probe: one count of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury and two counts of making false statements. (Charges explained)

Libby said in a written statement he is "confident that at the end of this process I will be completely and totally exonerated."

"Today is a sad day for me and my family," he said, adding that he was stepping aside "with regret."

"I have spent much of my career working on behalf of the American people," he said. "I have conducted my responsibilities honorably and truthfully."

President Bush on Friday called the ongoing legal proceedings "serious" and said he accepted the resignation of Libby, who by title was also an assistant to the president and a national security adviser to Cheney. (Watch Bush's reaction -- 1:08)

Speaking to reporters from the south lawn of the White House, the president said Libby has "sacrificed much in his service to this country," and he cautioned that "in our system each individual is presumed innocent and entitled to due process and a fair trial."

"While we're all saddened by today's news, we remain wholly focused on the many issues and opportunities facing this country," he said before leaving to spend the weekend at Camp David.

During an afternoon news conference, Fitzgerald said, "A CIA officer's name was blown and there was a leak and we needed to figure out how that happened, who did it, why, whether a crime was committed, whether we could prove it, whether we should prove it. Given national security was at stake, it was especially important that we find out accurate facts."

Libby was charged with lying to FBI agents and to the grand jury about conversations with reporters. (Read the full text of the indictment)

Libby testified that he heard CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity from Russert when, in fact, he learned of Plame's identify from other government officials, the indictment alleged.

"Mr. Libby's story that he was at the tail end of a chain of phone calls, passing on from one reporter what he heard from another, was not true," Fitzgerald said.

"He was at the beginning of the chain of phone calls -- the first official to disclose this information outside the government to a reporter -- and then he lied about it afterwards, under oath and repeatedly," he said.

Libby's attorney Joseph Tate said Fitzgerald concluded Libby did not violate a law that makes it a crime to intentionally disclose the identity of a covert agent. (Watch as news of Libby's resignation breaks -- :52)

Tate said in a written statement that his client is innocent, and he asked that the public not judge the case until a verdict is returned.

He said he and his client were "dismayed" and "surprised" at the charges, and accused Fitzgerald of turning "alleged inconsistencies in Mr. Libby's recollection and those of others" into charges.

Libby discussed Plame's identity in the summer of 2003 with reporters after her husband, diplomat Joseph Wilson, wrote a highly critical op-ed column in The New York Times that challenged intelligence used as part of the rationale for the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Descriptions of those conversations by reporters say Libby discussed Plame's identity, in part, to cast doubt in the reporters' minds about Wilson's account and criticized the CIA, the indictment alleged.

"These are very serious charges," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada. "They suggest a senior White House aide put politics ahead of our national security and the rule of law."

These are so far the only indictments in a nearly two-year investigation. If convicted on all counts, Libby could face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine, Fitzgerald's news release said.

Cheney said in a statement that he accepted Libby's resignation "with deep regret."

"Scooter Libby is one of the most capable and talented individuals I have ever known," the statement said.

Meanwhile, President Bush's top political strategist, Karl Rove, was not indicted Friday by the federal grand jury. But, the sources said, Rove is not out of legal jeopardy as the matter is still under investigation. (Full story)

Lawyers involved in the case have told CNN that Fitzgerald has focused on whether Rove committed perjury. Rove testified four times in front of the grand jury.
'No decision'

Rove's attorney Robert Luskin issued a statement Friday that said Fitzgerald "has advised Mr. Rove that he has made no decision about whether or not to bring charges."

"Mr. Rove will continue to cooperate fully," Luskin's statement said. "We are confident that when the special counsel finishes his work, he will conclude that Mr. Rove has done nothing wrong."

As Rove departed his home in Washington Friday morning, he told reporters, "I am going to have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend and hope you do, too."

Rove and his attorney have previously issued denials related to the case.

Libby's indictment came at a time when Bush's approval ratings are at a low ebb.

The event that triggered the legal and political quagmire was a syndicated newspaper column by Robert Novak, published on July 14, 2003, about Joe Wilson.

Before Novak's column, Valerie Plame's role as a CIA officer was "not widely known" outside the intelligence community, Fitzgerald said at the news conference. The information was "classified," he said.

In a written statement, Wilson on Friday called the indictments an "important step in the criminal justice process."

"It is certainly not a day to celebrate," Wilson said, adding that the indictment marked "a sad day for America."

"I continue to believe that revealing my wife Valerie's secret CIA identity was very wrong and harmful to our nation, and I feel that my family was attacked for my speaking the truth about the events that led our country to war," Wilson said.

Wilson said that he and his wife "are confident that justice will be done."

CNN's Kelli Arena, Dana Bash, John King and Kevin Bohn contributed to this report.

[Mulhollanddose]

Unless I am missing something, I agree...There is one thing I disdain more than lying Democrats, and that is lying Republicans.

The real scumbags here are Joe Wilson and his wife.

[fintstone]

It is only an indictment. The man is pretty smart and will get his chance to defend himself now. So far it has only been one-sided.

[911pcars]

"The real scumbags here are Joe Wilson and his wife"

Huh?

Whether the administration agreed with Wilson's findings or not, that is not the question.

Whether Plame did or did not instigate Wilson's trip to Nigeria is not the question.

The question is whether devulging the identify of a CIA agent (and thus identifying her previous contacts) is a national security issue and a violation of US law.

Mul. I'd say you're looking for scum in the wrong part of town. I'll even suggest the location in DC you'll probably find it.

Sherwood

[Matt Holcomb]

Originally posted by fintstone
It is only an indictment.

Libby's indictment raises the spectre of a politically damaging criminal trial, which means that Cheney and other White House officials will be called as witnesses.

"It's only an indictment". That's like saying that the break-in at the Watergate hotel in '72 was only a burglary.

[red-beard]

Originally posted by 911pcars
"The real scumbags here are Joe Wilson and his wife"

Huh?

Whether the administration agreed with Wilson's findings or not, that is not the question.

Whether Plame did or did not instigate Wilson's trip to Nigeria is not the question.

The question is whether devulging the identify of a CIA agent (and thus identifying her previous contacts) is a national security issue and a violation of US law.

Mul. I'd say you're looking for scum in the wrong part of town. I'll even suggest the location in DC you'll probably find it.

Sherwood

Actually, it's not even about that. It is about whether he lied to an investigating official. It's a Martha Stewart moment.

[Joe Bob]

How 'bout...."it's only a flesh wound"?

[speeder]

or......."that'll buff right out"..........

[techweenie]

At least it's not oral sex.

[Vipergrün]

Can you please define 'sex'

[nostatic]

Originally posted by 911pcars
[B]I'll even suggest the location in DC you'll probably find it.

and that would be everywhere?

[RoninLB]

This is all a Bush scam to keep the Dem's busy while he pushes his agenda.

[singpilot]

Originally posted by techweenie
At least it's not oral sex.

Kinda makes oral sex look good.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by singpilot
Kinda makes oral sex look good.

Does it ever look bad?

[singpilot]

Actually, it did once.

On the front of a blue dress.

[RoninLB]

sometimes you don't even need sun glasses.

[bryanthompson]

It's kindof interesting that a crime wasn't even committed, according to Fitzgerals, untill there was an investigation. Using this as precedent, we need to set up investigations into Chappaquiddick and certain relationships within moveon.org and the DNC. Even if they haven't committed a crime yet, surely we can trip them up if we can get them to testify numerous times for many many hours. Just one trip, all we need, right?

[RoninLB]

it seems the indictment is based on the contradiction between Libby's testimony and the testimony of 3 reporters. Fitz wouldn't answer on whether he had evidence beyond that. Fitz also didn't offer a motive, evidence of a conspiracy, or evidence of a cover up. It is an allegation that Libby lied about a crime that wasn't committed.

maybe "This is all a Bush scam to keep the Dem's busy while he pushes his agenda."

[911pcars]

It's difficult to prove they (Libby, Cheney, Rove, etc.) knew Plame was indeed a covert agent. Thus far, it's been easier to show that Libby (so far) lied under oath and thus obstructed the investigation. Novak was at least astute enough to come clean (assuming he's telling the truth) when Fitzgerald asked the question. Miller's freedom-of-the-press plea to not reveal her source (and spent jail time for it) looks a little hollow since she now claims she doesn't remember who her source was (prison accommodations must have been that good). It sounds like she's now trying to invoke the R. Reagan line of defense.

The fallout reminds me of similarities with Watergate and similar govt. transgressions, maybe worst than WG since it may involve national security and the outing of our agents and contacts here and abroad.

Isn't there a constitutional loophole where the Supreme Court can announce a time out and start over with a new administration?

Sherwood

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by 911pcars


The fallout reminds me of similarities with Watergate and similar govt. transgressions, maybe worst than WG since it may involve national security and the outing of our agents and contacts here and abroad.

Perhaps you're mixing this case up with some suspense novel you read?