Home>News Center>World
         
 

Prosecutor, judge in CIA leak probe meet
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-27 08:37

The prosecutor in the CIA leak probe set the stage Wednesday for possible criminal charges, meeting with the grand jury that heard months of testimony and then consulting with the chief judge at the courthouse where the legal drama has unfolded.

The White House braced for at least one indictment by week's end, possibly Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. It also was worried that President Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, remained in jeopardy of being charged with false statements.

Rove awaited final word Wednesday evening about his fate, though his supporters were concerned about a personal visit Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald paid to Rove's defense lawyer and a last-minute interview with one of Rove's former colleagues.

FBI agents working for Fitzgerald checked facts this week that could be used in a case, including whether Rove made any comments to that former colleague about his contact with one of the reporters who disclosed that Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson's wife worked as an undercover CIA officer.

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, right, leaves the federal courthouse Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 in Washington after meeting for three hours with the federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA officer's identity.
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, right, leaves the federal courthouse Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2005 in Washington after meeting for three hours with the federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA officer's identity.[AP]
Though Fitzgerald met with Rove attorney Robert Luskin at a private law firm office Tuesday, there was no indication of a final decision on an indictment.

Fitzgerald was appointed nearly two years ago to determine whether any presidential aides violated a federal law prohibiting the intentional unmasking of an undercover CIA officer such as Valerie Plame. Her identity was divulged in July 2003 after her husband publicly criticized the administration over its use of prewar Iraq intelligence.

The prosecutor also has discussed other charges with defense lawyers in recent weeks, including false statements, obstruction of justice and mishandling of classified information. Libby and Rove have emerged as two of the key figures in the probe.

The grand jury's term expires on Friday, and the panel met with Fitzgerald's team for about three hours Wednesday before adjourning for the day. The administrative assistant to Thomas Hogan, the chief judge of U.S. District Court in the nation's capital, disclosed that Hogan met with Fitzgerald. The assistant, Sheldon Snook, declined to comment on what was discussed.
Page: 12



Hurricane Wilma batters Florida
All 117 feared dead in Nigerian plane crash
Quake relief inadequate, UN says
 
  Today's Top News     Top World News
 

Ministry: Latest bird flu case 'stamped out'

 

   
 

Hu: China a 'good neighbour' of ASEAN

 

   
 

Duties wrong way on China yuan: Snow

 

   
 

Iran leader calls for Israel's destruction

 

   
 

Village doctors fill breach in HIV control

 

   
 

Experts: 7.6% growth until 2020

 

   
  Prosecutor, judge in CIA leak probe meet
   
  US death toll in Iraq rises to 2,001
   
  Florida begins to recover from Hurricane
   
  Iranian Leader: Israel will be destroyed
   
  Japan, North Korea to resume talks Nov 3 in Beijing
   
  Court Okays PetroKazakhstan sale to CNPC
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Prosecutor winding up CIA leak probe
   
Report: Cheney cited as source in CIA leak
   
New York Times reporter completes testimony in CIA case
  News Talk  
  Are the Republicans exploiting the memory of 9/11?  
Advertisement